Yuga Labs and Avant Arte Unveil First Official CryptoPunks Print
TLDR:
- Yuga Labs and Avant Arte collaborate to release the first official CryptoPunks print, breaking down the barriers between digital and physical art.
- CryptoPunks, a collection of 10,000 unique digital art characters, emerged as a pioneering NFT project.
- Avant Arte’s mission to democratize art aligns with CryptoPunks’ accessibility goals.
- This inclusive collaboration allows public access to the entire CryptoPunk collection, emphasizing openness.
- The prints include certificates of authenticity linked to the blockchain, offering a unique viewing experience.
Yuga Labs and Avant Arte have come together to bring the world of CryptoPunks into the realm of physical art.
This collaboration introduces the first official CryptoPunks print that is accessible to everyone, not just holders of these iconic digital collectibles.
We’ll just leave this here 👀 pic.twitter.com/Kvy2BPUV58
— Avant Arte (@avant_arte) October 3, 2023
The Genesis of CryptoPunks
To understand the significance of this collaboration, let’s delve into the origins of CryptoPunks.
This historic project was born as an experiment in the summer of 2017, conceptualized by Larva Labs founders John Watkinson and Matt Hall.
Inspired by the early Internet community and the rebellious spirit of the 1970s London punk movement, Watkinson and Hall aimed to create a collection of 10,000 unique 24×24 pixel digital art characters, each a misfit and non-conformist in its own right.
Initially offered as free-to-claim assets for those with an Ethereum wallet, CryptoPunks has evolved beyond imagination.
The economic value of a single Punk now exceeds $70,000 USD. Yet, its value goes beyond mere dollars and cents; it has fostered a vibrant and interconnected community of artists and collectors.
Punks As Told By CryptoPunks
Yuga Labs has been at the forefront of documenting the journey and impact of CryptoPunks with its upcoming docuseries, “Punks As Told By CryptoPunks”.
The first episode is set to launch on October 10, providing an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at this groundbreaking project.
'Punks As Told By CryptoPunks' is an intimate chronicle of CryptoPunks, expanding upon the ongoing archival work of the upcoming Punks book, told through weekly episodes of unfiltered conversations and behind-the-scenes moments.
— CryptoPunks (@cryptopunksnfts) September 28, 2023
Created in partnership with @nftnow pic.twitter.com/H15blEBZNi
A Collaboration for All
Unlike exclusive collaborations limited to Punk holders, Yuga Labs and Avant Arte have taken an inclusive approach.
They are releasing a publicly accessible work featuring the entire CryptoPunk collection.
This decision pays homage to the inclusive spirit of CryptoPunks, which was open for anyone to claim back in 2017, and reflects Avant Arte’s commitment to making art exceptionally accessible.
The Certificate of Authenticity
For the Punk On-Chain edition, the CryptoPunks held by collectors serve as the certificate of authenticity (COA).
Each print includes a unique title and QR code on the reverse for Punk NFT authentication.
This ensures the integrity of the prints in the physical world while being linked to the blockchain.
Aspirations of the Project
Avant Arte’s web3 lead, Abigail Miller hopes that Punk holders will relish the opportunity to commission unique 1-1 physical prints for their homes.
CryptoPunks’ GM at Yuga Labs, Natalie Stone, on the other hand, envisions the Punk On-Chain print as a new way for the community to experience their art, emphasizing that Punks are more than just investments or digital collectibles.
The 10,000 On-Chain print aims to achieve mainstream recognition, inviting the “Punk-curious” to participate in digital art history.
It offers a viewing experience that only the physical medium can provide, showcasing each Punk as an unfolding work of art, from pure JPEGs on-chain to complete masterpieces.
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