Utapia Sizzle Reel (2017)
Utapia Sizzle Reel (2017)
Digital Artist's Statement
“We are descendants of mycelium. Mycelium is the mother of us all.”
Paul Stramets, Mycologist
As humans, we are perpetual storytellers. We sing, we dance, we write, we play, we dream… However, that doesn’t mean that every other form of life represses information.
The little-known and underappreciated mycorrhizal networks (CMN) beneath the ground are arguably the most influential social networks in the world. Known as the “Wood Wide Web”, they connect different plants (including trees) together and share resources. The fruit of their labour is even noticeable from outer space in the form of rich green forests and land.
In this collection, we witness our very own methods of storytelling performed by intelligent life other than ourselves - specifically by a tree with visible CMN and roots for arms and legs!
In turn, viewing the collection gives us time to reflect on our interpretations of ‘intelligence’ and our relationship with the rest of nature.
Smart Trees Versions:
Many more TBC
Can you collect a sequence?
Fraser's mints will be aimed at creating film sequences that can be collected, with rewards for hodlers of certain sequences over time.
The Fibonacci Sequence
The Fibonacci sequence is used in the pricing of this NFT collection to signify the interconnectivity of nature in the way that we communicate - in mathematics and in art alike.
Examples:
0.123ETH
0.0358ETH
0.0813ETH
SMART TREE:
PIANIST
The Genesis Version and Drop of the Smart Trees Collection
#smartTreePianist #treeanist
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." – Plato
The Smart Trees Collection begins with "Smart Tree: Pianist" drops. This is Fraser Murdoch's Genesis NFT project.
These beautiful and mesmerising animations take the audience into another world where trees can do everything homosapiens can. In this piece, a tree plays captivating tunes on a piano on the stage of a concert hall.
The tree communicates with its own kind via its roots and the mycelium travelling and glistening toward the camera, while we as humans listen.
The drop consists of three different "Shots" which are part of a "Sequence." There will be Reward NFTs available for owners of complete sequences, but single NFTs also provide perks - and have their own traits (e.g. different motion, loopable tracks.)
There’s a plethora of NFTs planned in the collection including IRL smart trees.
The Drops are as follows:
If you are a long-term Patreon (6 months or more), there will be discounts available.
'Wide Shot'
Minting dates: TBC
SHOT 1: WIDE SHOT
3840x3840px; MP4; Runtime: 00:33; digital animation; music; sound mix.
0.123ETH
Open Edition
Drops(s) Ideas:
(An initial Open Edition (OE) version of this video as a JPG is being considered...)
The above video consists of the widest shot viewing the tree playing the piano from the "forest audience." The piece feels layered and combines digital animation, painterly and visual effects elements.
It has its own unique segment of the piano track.
There will also be Giveaways for Likes, Shares / Retweets and Comments. Dates TBC.
The Shot 001 Original Styles will provide collectors with the following perks:
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The Smart Tree: Pianist Shot 1 Original Style OE is the lowest price point in the collection.
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It's the best chance you'll have to get started on collecting a sequence.
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Future Reward NFT qualification.
Get yours here:
SHOT 2: HERO SHOT
3840x3840px; MP4; Runtime: 00:33; digital animation; music; sound mix.
???ETH
Editions TBC (dependent on OE mints)
SHOT 3: CLOSE-UP
3840x3840px; MP4; Runtime: 00:16; digital animation; music; sound mix.
???ETH
Editions TBC (dependent on OE mints)
Drop(s) Ideas:
"Smart Tree: Pianist Shot 2 (Hero Shot) Original" and "Smart Tree: Pianist Shot 3 (Close-up) Original."
The Hero Shot runs much like the Wide Shot and at the same length on a constant loop. Whereas, the Close-up has a shorter runtime while the Smart Tree's fingers play the exact keys heard in the track, fading in and out to loop.
Collecting all three shots will qualify you for rewards
If you have a whole Sequence in your wallet at the time of future Smart Trees NFT auctions, you may be in with a chance to collect rewards.
'Hero Shot' and 'Close-up'
Minting date & drop: TBC
