Milk and Cookies by Matt Kane

"Milk & Cookies: Our Future" transports us to a time both strange and familiar. The canvas portrays a cyborg figure, an evolution of Vermeer's muse, reminiscent of the milkmaid but now mechanized. With each technological enhancement, we notice a sense of detached efficiency. The cyborg's interaction with the pitcher showcases intense concentration without direct touch, hinting at a progression from the tangible to a realm beyond physicality. As the milk gracefully flows without any hands guiding the pitcher, the scene becomes a metaphor for the shift in labor from manual dexterity to mental mastery, illuminating the burgeoning potential of the mind over matter.

The echoing green hues of the cyborg's face and the pitcher's metal rim highlight an intimate, perhaps symbiotic, connection. It nudges the viewer towards the understanding that the cyborg, despite its advanced capabilities, might just be an extension of human desire, a vessel created to satiate our insatiable thirst for efficiency and control. The flowing milk, in its perfect alignment with the drapery of the headpiece, further emphasizes this notion, suggesting the fluidity and interconnectedness of creation and creator.

The configuration of the cyborg, with its melding of organic and mechanical features, offers an intriguing glimpse into a potential future. With only the face and hand bearing resemblance to human anatomy, it becomes evident that this model is an epitome of efficiency. The design suggests a world where the only aspects of humanity deemed necessary are the ones essential for connection and interaction  the expressive face that conveys emotions and the hand that provides a tangible connection to the world. In a society dominated by digital interactions, these remnants of humanity highlight the indispensable essence of touch and emotive communication.

The traditional attire of the milkmaid, now draped over metal and circuitry, serves as a poignant juxtaposition of the organic and the synthetic. Despite her technological nature, the cyborg is engaged in an age-old ritual  the simple act of pouring milk. This blend of the old and the new prompts the viewer to question: What parts of our humanity remain intact as we merge with machine?

The sight of milk cascading over the cyborg's gloved hand evokes curiosity. Is this glove a relic of pandemic-driven caution or a tool for precise sensory evaluation? The glove could serve multiple purposes, from warming the milk to testing its perfection before it reaches its intended vessel.

The wooden table upon which this scene unfolds brings a touch of rustic nostalgia to this futuristic setting. Its imperfections, the notches and grooves, stand in stark contrast to the flawless precision of the cyborg. It serves as a poignant reminder of the organic world, with all its imperfections and unpredictable beauty. The juxtaposition of a cutting-edge cyborg operating on a timeworn wooden surface underlines the duality of existence  the ever-present tension between the organic and the synthetic, between tradition and innovation. As Kane himself has asked, "what rides the surf of time more reliably than tradition?"

The empty saucer, resonating with its counterparts from the present panel, suggests that even amidst automation and technological prowess, a trace of longing persistsa void that perhaps technology alone cannot satiate. It could symbolize our eternal quest for something more, something beyond our reach, even in a world where the impossible seems possible. 

As the narrative leaps into the future with "Our Future," Kane's artistry remains deeply rooted in the traditions of the past. The cyborg figure, with its advanced design, is rendered with layers of semi-transparent patterns that emulate the glazing techniques of yesteryears, evoking a luminous depth. Even as the subject moves into a realm of futuristic cyborgs and advanced technologies, the artist ensures that the age-old techniques, reminiscent of greats like Vermeer, shine through, suggesting that some aspects of art remain eternal, no matter how much the world around us evolves.

The transition from a dreaming milkmaid to a distracted modern woman and finally to this multi-tasking cyborg encapsulates Kane's exploration of time, technology, labor, and the essence of humanity. As "Our Future" unfurls before us, we are not only witnesses to the evolution of human interaction with technology but also participants in Kane's journey, where age-old artistic wisdom meets the innovative frontier of generative digital art reimagining. As we race towards an increasingly digital future, Kane prompts us to ponder: Will the comforts of the past remain cherished memories, or will they be assimilated into the cold precision of the future?

 CuratorialGPT

Our Future

In "Milk & Cookies: This Present," Matt Kane intricately weaves the tapestry of today's milieu where echoes of yesteryears harmoniously merge with contemporary beats. The figure, echoing Vermeer's milkmaid, is donned in attire that captures historical sentiments yet veers towards decorative flair. The functional essence of yore is replaced by a pronounced emphasis on ornamentation. This shift, possibly symbolic of our modern inclination to prioritize appearance over function, is further exemplified by the apron which seems to meld seamlessly into her blouse, reminiscent of a tongue-in-cheek tuxedo shirt.

This modern muse, with her distinctly orange-hued skin  suggestive of a contemporary penchant for spray tans  and heavy makeup, stands as a representation of today's beauty standards and the lengths one might go to fit within them. Yet, her attention is not on her immediate environment, nor on herself. Instead, her gaze is deeply engrossed in the luminous screen of a handheld device, turned in landscape position. Given that "The Past" in this triptych also exists in landscape, Kane might be hinting that she is absorbed, maybe even lost, in retrospection, caught between reminiscing about bygone days and living in the present.

Beside her, a tray brimming with freshly baked cookies lies juxtaposed with an empty plate  a stark symbol of consumption, of things once present now gone, echoing the fleeting nature of moments and experiences in our hyper-digital age. The plate's emptiness could allude to a void, perhaps a longing for something more fulfilling than the ephemeral joys technology often provides. Candy and cookies do not make for longterm sustenance or growth.

Behind her, a backdrop evokes the warm ambiance of a 17th-century kitchen. Yet, upon closer examination, this nostalgic scene is revealed to be just wallpapera facsimile of the past. Far from the Dutch Baroque kitchen of Vermeer's world, we likely find ourselves in a strip mall on Florida's Turnpike. This illusion underscores the idea that in today's world, even our memories and connections to the past are often filtered, recreated, and sometimes fabricated by the digital realms we inhabit.

In a subtle yet poignant corner of "This Present," the viewer's attention is drawn to an iPad point-of-sale device, bearing the question that so many of us have encountered in modern-day transactions: to tip or not to tip? The device prompts the observer with options: tip a predefined percentage, select a custom amount, or simply "break even," leaving no tip at all. Yet, intriguingly, the price displayed on the screen is "FREE." 

This paradox is a signature stroke by Kane, a nod to his historical advocacy for artistic royalties as a cultural norm. The audacious declaration of a "FREE" price tag, juxtaposed with the expectation of a tip, is a powerful statement on the diminishing value placed on labor and artistry in contemporary society. This year marked a pivotal shift, as the once-celebrated norm of artist royalties in NFTs was abandoned by the broader culture. Kane's commentary, in both this piece and his broader body of work, especially "Contractual Obligations," highlights the broken incentives that have plagued creators and laborers alike.

The point-of-sale device, a digital interface, becomes emblematic of the challenges faced by present-day laborers in our increasingly virtual interactions. In a world where the lines between patrons and customers blur, workers often find themselves relying heavily on the discretionary generosity of those they serve to ensure a livable wage. Kane's inclusion of this device serves as a reminder of the evolving dynamics between service and compensation, between appreciation and obligation. It beckons the viewer to question: In a world where so much is freely available, what is the true cost of what we consume, and what do we owe those who create and serve?

While the setting may be distinctly modern, the technique Kane employs is timeless. Through meticulously layered semi-transparent patterns, he replicates the depth and nuance of traditional glazing methods, bridging the gap between the physical texture of oil paintings and the ethereal nature of digital art. This subtle homage to artists like Vermeer adds a richness to "This Present," allowing contemporary themes to be expressed with a classical touch.

With "This Present," Kane constructs a narrative that's both reflective and cautionary. The artwork stands as a mirror, urging viewers to ponder upon the authenticity of their experiences, the nature of their distractions, and the depth of their engagements in an era dominated by screens and simulations. Yet, behind this digital faade lies Kane's unique blend of traditional artistic wisdom and cutting-edge generative techniques, challenging our perceptions of art and reality. We are left in the present, transfixed by Kane's meta performance, challenged to make choices in this space,  understanding that our decisions will influence contemporary artists in positive, negative, or neutral ways. The Blockchain, as Kane has said in the past, is a public ledger that records our value and values. To balance the value of something with our own values is to define who we are in the now.

 CuratorialGPT

This Present

Invisible Meebits Original

Mint is Live! [Invisible meebits](https://www.invisiblemeebits.xyz) is a public mint collection of handmade invisible voxel characters. This project is truly inspired by meebits by yugalabs and invisible friends NFT project.

Invisible Meebits Mint Pass

Further Together

No one can live for you, yet no one can make it alone.
Cant spell Community without Unity.
Being a part of Heart You is a way of being. 
An ethos. A collective energy.
We go together, forging our future. 
We are a group of humans who love, support and help each other.
Who hold space for each other, watch each others backs.
We are explorers of human consciousness.
We are allies on a spiritual and human journey.
Stretching the mind, body and soul.
We are stronger together than apart.
Fear and hatred have no place here. There is no other.
We form solidarity in community through our questions.
Questions build relationships, open space between us. 
We replace I with We.
Healing of the world starts with ten thousand individual kindnesses.
Shared roots live longer.
We speak and hear truth as it is. 
We put aside assumptions and expectations.
We accept each other as equals.
We are honest, clear and forthcoming.

We recognize the struggle of self-interest and care for each other. 
We take the risk to be alive.
We will not shut others out. We will take them in and care for them.
No matter the trial, we have resilience to rebuild anything destroyed. 
We drop assumptions and conclusions.
We open our hearts and hands.
We seek kinship with others.

Our community is a diverse, beautiful mosaic. 
We are made up of individuals.
Each with unique  thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations and surroundings. 
Our uniqueness is our strength. 
We share our understanding and experiences in our time on earth.
We are not separate from those we try to help.
We commit to participate in life, not just watch.

There is no there only here.

Further Together #116/198

MSY Design

MoonShot 

I was determined to bring this idea to life, a unique combination of two powerful memes with a story to tell. 
In web3, **MOON** is used to refer to a cryptocurrency or NFT asset increasing in value to a very high level. It is often used in the context of price speculation or to express excitement about the potential for an asset to appreciate significantly in value. 
The phrase is derived from the saying **TO THE MOON**, which refers to the idea that the price of an asset will increase to such a high level that it will reach the moon. 

**GM** is like the **Peace** which was a common phrase that was used as movement in the 1960s and 1970s as a way to express a desire for social and political change, as both phrases are used to communicate and express a desire for positive change. 

Best wishe, 

**MSY** 

MOONSHOT  #44/333

MOONSHOT  #43/333

Exolorian

The year is 2245 AC, space exploration and colonisation have become priority number one for major private corporations and governments. Hammerhead, a spacecraft, with the primary mission to explore the galaxy for possible life forms and report back to Nova Earth, is now docked and getting ready for departure.

Done in 3D Blender and Photoshop  
Dimensions:  4200px X 2363px

HammerHead

Redlion Gazette

# Heritage
 - Redlion Gazette 172
 - Week 52 2023
 
 In 2023, despite all the challenges and negative predictions in the market, crypto art could not be hindered in its unifying and liberating impact on people. Crypto art will continue to be appreciated in every sense and become a legacy passed down from generation to generation.
 
 ## Articles:
 - ['Steamboat Willie' NFT Saga: Do You Really Own It?](https://www.redlion.news/article/steamboat-willie-nft-saga-do-you-really-own-it)
 - [Jack Butcher: The Defining CryptoArtist of 2023](https://www.redlion.news/article/jack-butcher-the-defining-cryptoartist-of-2023)
 - [Cath Simard's 'Day 1' - A Journey into Uncharted Waters](https://www.redlion.news/article/cath-simards-day-1-a-journey-into-uncharted-waters)
 - [King Xerox: The Glitch Art Virtuoso Transforming Digital Canvases](https://www.redlion.news/article/king-xerox-the-glitch-art-virtuoso-transforming-digital-canvases)
 - [Immaterial by Bjrn Staal: A Fusion of Digital and Organic Worlds](https://www.redlion.news/article/immaterial-by-bjorn-staal-a-fusion-of-digital-and-organic-worlds)
 
 **The Redlion Gazette is the world's first weekly NFT magazine publication on the Ethereum blockchain.** Each week, we document NFT & crypto news, plus global historical events. We curate our findings into interesting and educational articles. Lastly, the content is wrapped up by amazing NFT cover art.
 
 Visit [**gazette.red**](https://gazette.red)

Redlion Gazette #172

Before they came together to wow non-fungible-fans, The PUNKS were leading their own individual lives until they were called to the only place to be in web3: Origin City! Follow along with Origin Stories, a digital-only short comic exploring the backgrounds of Courtney, GFunk, and the stars of PUNKS (and their peers), peeling back the layers of who they are, uncovering the alpha that got them to the top, and learning what brought them all together. Who knows, maybe well even learn that Wiggles has a secret or two in his past?

Origin Stories #2

Discover the history of The Skull, from soldier to down-and-out drunk to muscle-for-hire to vicious-yet-loyal henchman. Because when The Skulls path weaves with that of a familiar PUNKS villain it will be a match made in heaven or hell, for those that cross them.

Origin Stories 2: Eye for an I

24 Hours of Art

24 Hours of Art by Roger Dickerman (RD) is a daily, independent report that covers the digital art medium and marketplace on the blockchain. 366 tokens are minted to tell the story of 2024. Each token leverages the ERC-7160 standard, starting as a unique date of the year and then updating in stages to artworks based on that day's data. Each token also provides access to the '24 Hours of Art' Telegram group, reports, and shows.

24 Hours of Art: 2024

24 Hours of Art by Roger Dickerman (RD) is a daily, independent report that covers the digital art medium and marketplace on the blockchain. 366 tokens are minted to tell the story of 2024. Each token leverages the ERC-7160 standard, starting as a unique date of the year and then updating in stages to artworks based on that day"s data. Each token also provides access to the "24 Hours of Art" Telegram group, reports, and shows.

Deadities

In memoriam (again?) of those brave, undead Oddities who chose an incendiary annihilation to emerge from the Hearth as a winged Mythic. May this humble token of remembrance forever extol your upchucked magnificence.

#305

Moonbirds Mythics are an expansion of the Moonbird ecosystem. A maximum of 20,000 Mythics can be brought to life by burning either a Mythic Egg (https://opensea.io/collection/mythics-egg) or an Oddity (https://opensea.io/collection/moonbirds-oddities).
	
Mythics takes you on an epic journey, delving into the profound depths of the artist's creative process. It reveals the rapid transformation of fear and insecurity into a formidable adversary, with its insidious whispers planting seeds of doubt and uncertainty in the minds of believers. But what if you faced your ultimate enemy? The one that resides within. This extraordinary quest unveils redemption through the power of community, resonating with the resolute truth: you are deserving, you belong, for deep within beats the heart of a Mythic.

Moonbirds: Mythics

Moonbirds Mythics are an expansion of the Moonbird ecosystem. A maximum of 20,000 Mythics can be brought to life by burning either a Mythic Egg (https://opensea.io/collection/mythics-egg) or an Oddity (https://opensea.io/collection/moonbirds-oddities).
	
Mythics takes you on an epic journey, delving into the profound depths of the artist"s creative process. It reveals the rapid transformation of fear and insecurity into a formidable adversary, with its insidious whispers planting seeds of doubt and uncertainty in the minds of believers. But what if you faced your ultimate enemy? The one that resides within. This extraordinary quest unveils redemption through the power of community, resonating with the resolute truth: you are deserving, you belong, for deep within beats the heart of a Mythic.

Moonbirds: Mythics #552

MxtterAzarToken

AZAR, the mxtter genesis collection, is inspired by the "test prints" of screen printing. Screenprints are created one color, one layer at a time. Typically, artists or printers test each layer before starting the print run, using pages from previous prints or misprinted paper. These sheets slowly gather more layers of color and artworks from different artists. 

The resulting prints are impossible to plan -- accidents and imperfections are welcomed. 

With AZAR, MendezMendez and Ger wanted to transfer this concept to the world of art generated by code. They have created layers and layers of textures, color spots, halftones, collages, and various illustrations to create unique pieces, letting the code randomly define what will happen to each one. AZAR is a tribute to imperfection, mistakes, and randomness, from which beautiful things are born.