On September 22, 2022, the first day of Fall, I began an experimental project utilizing the newly released ARC19 metadata standard. ARC19 uses a clever placeholder code where the URL link for an NFT image usually goes to allow the creator to change the image at will, and indefinitely using notes in the Reserve Address. Although this technology was intended for NFTs used in situations such as game avatars where rewards may unlock certain cosmetic features, I have decided to use it to document the creation of a photographic illustration from start to finish.
Reposted from Art Block’s Blog, found here.
State 1 – Blank Canvas
The first mint of this project was a simple blank canvas, where all photographic illustrations start. A blank canvas is waiting to be filled, and this version of the NFT didn’t even last for 24-hours of the project before I updated the State 2 image.
The project began on the first day of fall, September 22, and will be completed on December 19, 2022. Currently, I am in the final few days of this project, the composite has been finalized and printed for exhibition, and all that remains are the release of the final two states; one documenting the physical print, and the other a signed and dated final digital version. I will post a follow up blog with reflections on this project soon after the final day of the project, this Monday. If you are interested in seeing this artwork on the blockchain, use the NFTx link provided.
From Blank Canvas to Final Draft
This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a way to document my artistic process while creating a photographic illustration from start to finish. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. Notice: Because ARC19 is open-ended and can be changed indefinitely, I have set this as a limited run event and pledge no changes will be made to this NFT after the final day of the project on December 19, 2022. 
Second State, released 9/22/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
Third State, released 9/24/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 4 9/27/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 5, 10/3/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 6, 10/6/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 7, 10/9/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 8, 10/15/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 9, 10/17/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 10, 10/23/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 11, 10/24/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 12, 10/30/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 13, 11/5/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 14, 11/8/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 15, 11/10/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 16, 11/15/2022. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. Owners of the NFT have full personal usage rights for current and previous states of this dynamic artwork. 
State 18, 12/3/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. 
State 19, 12/8/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. 
State 20, 12/10/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. 
State 21, 12/11/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. 
State 22, 12/13/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. 
State 23, 12/15/22. This dynamic NFT utilizes ARC19 to allow me to change the image indefinitely while storing all of the previous states in the Txn history. I will be using this as a digital sketchpad to explore ideas and works in progress. It could include photography, digital illustration, composites, writing, or one or more of these elements combined at any given time. The artwork may be in progress and unfinished, or completely finished and signed. 
This is the unsigned physical print of the final version of “Dynamic Block: Fall 2022”, no future ARC19 updates will be made to this project. The final composite is an abstract self-portrait, inspired by dreams and emotional reactions to certain locations I frequent, and driven by a desire to create a final work with multiple layers and ample opportunities to discover something new even after several viewings. It is divided into two distinct worlds that are ever merging and feeding one another; the world of order and algorithms (the one we inhabit), and the world of imagination and creativity. Without one there can not be the other, much like my own creative process, the world is a balance between the real and what we can imagine into existence in that reality. In this composite, I am peering into the world of imagination and creativity searching for inspiration, and discovering it in droves everywhere I look. This artwork is dedicated to Morris P. Fertig (1947-2022).
Final Versions
Statement: This is the final version of “Dynamic Block: Fall 2022”, no future ARC19 updates will be made to this project. The final composite is an abstract self-portrait, inspired by dreams and emotional reactions to certain locations I frequent, and driven by a desire to create a final work with multiple layers and ample opportunities to discover something new even after several viewings. It is divided into two distinct worlds that are ever merging and feeding one another; the world of order and algorithms (the one we inhabit), and the world of imagination and creativity. Without one there can not be the other, much like my own creative process, the world is a balance between the real and what we can imagine into existence in that reality. In this composite, I am peering into the world of imagination and creativity searching for inspiration, and discovering it in droves everywhere I look.
Fine Art by Todd Dobbs 
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