{"id":1063,"date":"2022-12-07T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/?p=1063"},"modified":"2023-01-05T16:01:12","modified_gmt":"2023-01-05T21:01:12","slug":"basileus-mythic-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/basileus-mythic-love\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Love a Myth? Basileus Looks for Answers in a New Exhibition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay muted src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/angie_taylor-sappho-web.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/sappho\/id-n_cVnaDD3hiQ\/\"><em>Sappho<\/em> by Angie Taylor<\/a> is featured in the new exhibition &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/\">Mythic Love<\/a>,&#8221; curated by Basileus.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the 1983 short story \u201cBasileus,\u201d by sci-fi author Robert Silverberg, a Bay Area computer programmer named Dan Cunningham learns how to download angels. Eventually, he spends so much time chatting with his cohort of more than 1,100 celestial beings (and inventing new ones) that he\u2019s too tired to focus on his Defense Department job and loses all interest in socializing and romancing in real life. The story culminates in Cunningham\u2019s starting a nuclear war by way of computer code and transforming himself into Basileus, Emperor of the Angels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Four decades later, the Internet has a new Bay Area computer maestro named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/address\/ethereum\/0x762dA606029d3120735Aa1EeC15464E265Db7A3C\/\">Basileus<\/a>. This one is much less scary. Rather than downloading angels, our 21st-century Basileus (who borrowed his pseudonym from Silverberg\u2019s story) roams web3 marketplaces scooping up <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/market\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NFTs<\/a>. So far, he has amassed more than 1,500 works of cryptoart and cryptomusic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Basileus was one of those smart and fortunate techies who invested in crypto well before the big boom and subsequent fizzle of the early 2020s. \u201cI got into cryptocurrency pretty early because, as a computer scientist with a background in finance, I found the basic concepts straightforward,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd since I\u2019ve always been fascinated with art but found collecting to be too difficult, I was an easy convert to cryptoart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through his collecting, Basileus has forged deep connections with artists and become a collector to watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/how-to-invest-in-nft-art\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">in the NFT realm<\/a>, where major players are often followed by those hoping to get in on the next \u00fcberprofitable crypto discovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay loop muted src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/barbara_pampin-midnight_amulet-web.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/midnight-amulet\/id-n_XH3VjiHpCg\/\"><em>Midnight Amulet<\/em> by Barbara Pampin<br><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In his communications, Basi, as he\u2019s affectionately called by some artists, reveals a tenderness and generosity that shines forth in the theme he\u2019s chosen for the new NFT exhibition he\u2019s curated, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/\">Mythic Love<\/a>.\u201d He selected two dozen creators for the show, including some, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/wgmeets\/\">WGMeets<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/angietaylor\/\">Angie Taylor<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/stinajones\/\">Stina Jones<\/a><em>,<\/em> whose NFTs he collects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wanted to give them free rein to work in the theme of the queen of emotions,\u201d the Berkeley-based curator says. \u201cBy qualifying the theme as \u2018mythic,\u2019 I wanted to give them an extra degree of freedom to choose something classic \u2014 some of the artists have done thrilling work on mythological themes \u2014 or to treat the existence of love itself as a myth.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The artists ran with it, finding inspiration in everything from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/art\/style\/pre-raphaelite\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pre-Raphaelite<\/a> paintings and regional folklore to dating apps and their personal histories. \u201cAbsolutely one of the most interesting ideas within the theme of love is the different types of it,\u201d Basileus says. There\u2019s familial love, universal love, divine love, platonic love, love of nature, love for pets and so on. \u201cAt the same time,\u201d he notes, \u201cI think we are all fascinated by the mythology around true love in a romantic sense.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, all 24 artists tell us about their \u201cMythic Love\u201d works and how they address the topic at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay muted src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sasha_stiles-b1nary_0de.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Clip of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/b1nary-0de\/id-n_7dzDvD59ng\/\"><em>B1NARY 0DE<\/em> by Sasha Stiles, Nathaniel Stern and Kris Bones<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen Basileus invited me to participate in this show, I knew I wanted to submit a love poem written by Technelegy, my AI alter ego, a cybernetic embodiment of my passion for poetry and the love child of an intimate collaboration between human and machine. This 1\/1 media-rich poem, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/b1nary-0de\/id-n_7dzDvD59ng\/\"><em>B1NARY 0DE<\/em><\/a>, created together with my musical partner, Kris Bones, and the artist Nathaniel Stern, is rooted in a text I coauthored with Technelegy musing on the pairing off of zeroes and ones in our transcendent universal language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is at the heart of 0RAL B1NARY, Nathaniel\u2019s and my new generative \u2018token word\u2019 project on fxhash \u2014 an evolution of my ongoing obsession with the poetics of binary code coupled with Nathaniel&#8217;s performative, experimental take on spoken word.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Sashastiles\/\"><em>Sasha Stiles<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Zebra\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"842\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/zuphioh-kiss_me_thru_the_headset-original-1024x842.jpg\" alt=\"Kiss me thru the Headset by Zuphioh\" class=\"wp-image-1093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/zuphioh-kiss_me_thru_the_headset-original-1024x842.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/zuphioh-kiss_me_thru_the_headset-original-300x247.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/zuphioh-kiss_me_thru_the_headset-original-768x631.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/zuphioh-kiss_me_thru_the_headset-original-1135x933.jpg 1135w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/zuphioh-kiss_me_thru_the_headset-original.jpg 1428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/kiss-me-thru-headset\/id-n_TcpZ6kuU8S\/\"><\/a><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/kiss-me-thru-headset\/id-n_TcpZ6kuU8S\/\"><em>Kiss me thru the Headse<\/em><\/a><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/kiss-me-thru-headset\/id-n_TcpZ6kuU8S\/\"><em>t<\/em> by Zuphioh<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI created <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/kiss-me-thru-headset\/id-n_TcpZ6kuU8S\/\"><em>Kiss me thru the Headset<\/em><\/a> for \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 as a modern take on online dating and dating apps, putting the two zebras into a date in the metaverse sharing a nice plate of grass together. My work has comprised <em>only<\/em> zebras since I started creating NFTs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe original painting that this piece references is <em>At the P\u00e8re Lathuille Restaurant<\/em> by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/creators\/edouard-manet\/art\/\">\u00c9douard Manet<\/a>. This was the first painting that came into my head when I heard the word <em>love<\/em>, and as a student of art teaching, I am very familiar with Manet\u2019s work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs for the \u2018mythic\u2019 part, instead of the usual images that arise in your head when you hear the word <em>myth<\/em> or <em>mythical<\/em>, I envisioned love over the web, in a modern-day scenario merging with the whole fascination with the metaverse that all of us web3 people seem to have. Sure, you can have love face-to-face, but I\u2019ve yet to hear of someone going on a date through the metaverse. I thought it was funny and went with it.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Zebra\/\"><em>Zuphioh<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/wgmeets\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/wgmeets-detenido-1024x521.jpg\" alt=\"Detenido by WGMeets\" class=\"wp-image-1097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/wgmeets-detenido-1024x521.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/wgmeets-detenido-300x153.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/wgmeets-detenido-768x390.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/wgmeets-detenido.jpg 1428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/detenido\/id-n_FpR4VhxrOl\/\"><em>Detenido<\/em> by WGMeets<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2018Mythic love\u2019 to me means the larger-than-life feeling of what love is, something that is magical and surreal but grounded at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe essence of love is a powerful, life-altering feeling \u2014 it\u2019s hard to describe but easy to feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/detenido\/id-n_FpR4VhxrOl\/\">This is my way<\/a> of visually portraying what I and others feel when in love. Knowing that I\u2019ve been in that exact moment when the world stops as soon as you smell your loved one\u2019s perfume, I wanted my piece for \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 to symbolize that powerful emotion.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/wgmeets\/\"><em>WGMeets<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/GALAMIRISSA\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Maternal-Love-Gala-738x1024.jpg\" alt=\"MATERNAL LOVE by Gala Mirissa\" class=\"wp-image-1094\" width=\"775\" height=\"1075\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Maternal-Love-Gala-738x1024.jpg 738w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Maternal-Love-Gala-216x300.jpg 216w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Maternal-Love-Gala-768x1066.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Maternal-Love-Gala-1107x1536.jpg 1107w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Maternal-Love-Gala-672x933.jpg 672w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Maternal-Love-Gala.jpg 1264w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Still of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/maternal-love\/id-n_z2LPlaLzhj\/\"><em>MATERNAL LOVE<\/em> by <em>Gala Mirissa<\/em><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe three works are characteristic of my combination of classical paintings, Greek mythology and modern portraits. In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/love-on-my-mind-modern-poseidon\/id-n_q6oMONknfG\/\"><em>LOVE ON MY MIND (Modern Poseidon)<\/em><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/maternal-love\/id-n_z2LPlaLzhj\/\"><em>MATERNAL LOVE<\/em><\/a>, I was inspired by the paintings of Herbert James Draper. The works are <em>Clyties of the Mist<\/em> (1912), portraying the ocean nymphs of Greek mythology, and <em>A Water Baby<\/em> (circa 1900), in which a mother nymph protects her baby. In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/perseus-his-lover\/id-n_KTtwXB5YAY\/\"><em>PERSEUS AND HIS LOVER<\/em><\/a>, I was inspired by <em>Doom Fulfilled<\/em>, painted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/creators\/sir-edward-coley-burne-jones\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Edward Burne-Jones<\/a> in 1884.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLove has many faces, and in these three pieces are different types of love. Just as in <em>MATERNAL LOVE<\/em> we find the unconditional love of a mother for her baby, in the other two pieces, we see a more passionate love. In<em> LOVE ON MY MIND (Modern Poseidon)<\/em>, a carnal but patriarchal love appears, in which Amphitrite is passive in the face of Poseidon\u2019s infidelities. In <em>PERSEUS AND HIS LOVER<\/em>, we see a more heroic love, of Perseus fighting against a sea monster to save his lover. It is also actually the love of good versus evil.\u201d \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/GALAMIRISSA\/\"><em>Gala Mirissa<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Shortcut\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/join_the_church_of_love-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Join the Church of Love by Joern Bielewski\" class=\"wp-image-1098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/join_the_church_of_love-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/join_the_church_of_love-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/join_the_church_of_love-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/join_the_church_of_love.jpg 1428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/join-church-love\/id-n_h89falYHZA\/\"><em>Join the Church of Love<\/em> by Joern Bielewski<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn order to deal with the topic of \u2018mythic love,\u2019 I conducted an experiment. I wanted to bring the power of love to the dark corners of the Internet, a place where you can buy \u2018love.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt was clear to me that this place tends to be dominated by abuse of power, and that it\u2019s mainly run by people with money who exploit those who don\u2019t have any. Of course, no one normally expects to find real love here, but I wondered what this business was doing to those involved behind the scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOn the one hand, I wanted to observe myself what it does to me and my idea of love. On the other hand, I wanted to really get to know the person on the other side of the screen, hear their story, understand what it does to this person \u2014 and their own idea of love \u2014 to work in this industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the process, over a period of several months, I managed to build a friendly relationship with a young woman who, because of her job, naturally had a very bad image of men \u2014 and of people in general \u2014 and had almost lost faith in love. I listened to her story, which touched me very much, and I continuously presented my own ideas about love as the mystical force that holds everything together and that can heal all wounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe various artworks I created for the exhibition evolved out of this conversation. They raise the question of \u2018love for sale\u2019 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/join-church-love\/id-n_h89falYHZA\/\"><em>Join the Church of Love<\/em><\/a>), of the fear of one\u2019s own abysses (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/church-fear-alien-you\/id-n_PZmuzuwp9O\/\"><em>The Church of Fear of the alien in you<\/em><\/a>), as well as the question of whether love can unfold its healing power even in the darkest places (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/beauty-cockroach\/id-n_4dCofdAg7g\/\"><em>The Beauty and the Cockroach<\/em><\/a>).\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Shortcut\/\"><em>Joern Bielewski<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/RebeccaRose\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/rebecca_rose-what_you_leave_behind-577x1024.jpg\" alt=\"What You Leave Behind by Rebecca Rose\" class=\"wp-image-1100\" width=\"775\" height=\"1375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/rebecca_rose-what_you_leave_behind-577x1024.jpg 577w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/rebecca_rose-what_you_leave_behind-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/rebecca_rose-what_you_leave_behind-768x1364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/rebecca_rose-what_you_leave_behind.jpg 804w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/what-you-leave-behind\/id-n_IvVFJyhQXq\/\"><em>What You Leave Behind<\/em> by Rebecca Rose<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/what-you-leave-behind\/id-n_IvVFJyhQXq\/\"><em>What You Leave Behind<\/em><\/a> addresses the memories of past relationships we carry with us throughout our lives: childhood friends, romantic lovers, those who supported us and those who did not. The love we pushed away and the friendships we held even dearer. Memories we force ourselves to forget yet which always float in when least expected, living in our minds and hearts with the memories we cherish and pray we never fail to remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201c<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/lonely-among-us\/id-n_XG5IM721JW\/\"><em>Lonely Among Us<\/em><\/a> is about the French sculptures that were ordered to be destroyed under Germany\u2019s occupation of France in the 1940s. I thought about the sculptures \u2014 which met their death by being plucked from their courtyards and sent to the scrapyards to be melted \u2014 the impermanence of art and our own impermanence. Dark indeed, but it brings a necessary degree of death to offset my piece about love. Love and death always seem to ride hand in hand, so that contrast fits well within this pairing of works.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/RebeccaRose\/\"><em>Rebecca Rose<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/nonremovable\/id-n_NyO7H4Pevd\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ailin_kertesz-nonremovable-1024x878.jpg\" alt=\"NonRemovable by Ailin Kertesz\" class=\"wp-image-1101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ailin_kertesz-nonremovable-1024x878.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ailin_kertesz-nonremovable-300x257.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ailin_kertesz-nonremovable-768x658.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ailin_kertesz-nonremovable-1089x933.jpg 1089w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/ailin_kertesz-nonremovable.jpg 1428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/nonremovable\/id-n_NyO7H4Pevd\/\"><em>NonRemovable<\/em> by Ailin Kertesz<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI thought of the concept of \u2018mythic love\u2019 represented as organs that do not exist, inventions. Both works are meant to be internal representations of the same body affected by affection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe first piece, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/extraction\/id-n_yRhF5CPhjJ\/\"><em>Extraction<\/em><\/a>, is an internal morphology of affection. And <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/nonremovable\/id-n_NyO7H4Pevd\/\"><em>NonRemovable<\/em><\/a> talks about an unidentified organ that evolves over time and therefore survives. Its function is unknown but essential. I like to work with organic shapes and morbid, wet textures and also create fanciful but plausible organisms as if they existed.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Afr0dita\/\"><em>Ailin Kertesz<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/oficinastk\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"577\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1103\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_nigredo-577x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Liber Quaestionum \u2014 Nigredo by Oficinas TK\" class=\"wp-image-1103\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_nigredo-577x1024.jpg 577w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_nigredo-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_nigredo-768x1364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_nigredo-525x933.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_nigredo.jpg 804w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/oficinastk\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"577\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1104\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_citrinitas-577x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Liber Quaestionum \u2014 Citrinitas by Oficinas TK\" class=\"wp-image-1104\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_citrinitas-577x1024.jpg 577w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_citrinitas-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_citrinitas-768x1364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_citrinitas-525x933.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_citrinitas.jpg 804w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/oficinastk\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"577\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"1102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_rubedo-577x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Liber Quaestionum \u2014 Rubedo by Oficinas TK\" class=\"wp-image-1102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_rubedo-577x1024.jpg 577w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_rubedo-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_rubedo-768x1364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_rubedo-525x933.jpg 525w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/oficinas_tk-liber_quaestionum_-_rubedo.jpg 804w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 577px) 100vw, 577px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\">From left: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/liber-quaestionum-nigredo\/id-n_ydUKy9nQUQ\/\"><em>Liber Quaestionum \u2014 Nigredo<\/em><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/liber-quaestionum-citrinitas\/id-n_tsCvbUcKPv\/\"><em>Liber Quaestionum \u2014 Citrinitas<\/em><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/liber-quaestionum-rubedo\/id-n_WrByAidpxs\/\"><em>Liber Quaestionum \u2014 Rubedo<\/em><\/a> by Oficinas TK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo give you some context, my work, as well as many of my viewpoints and considerations about the nature of the world, is deeply informed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/topic\/Hermetism\">Hermetics<\/a>. For this tryptic, I wanted to explore the concepts around the four stages of the alchemical opus: Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas and Rubedo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo understand alchemy is a bit hard, and explaining it is a tricky task. It came to my attention that asking good questions is more relevant than getting answers sometimes, as the former may lead you to undiscovered paths. Hence, the \u2018Liber Quaestionum\u2019 (Book of Questions) bit in the titles of the pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a cycle being depicted, of birth, life and death \u2014 in a weird order, one may think, as the skull is the first element. In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/liber-quaestionum-nigredo\/id-n_ydUKy9nQUQ\/\">Nigredo<\/a>, the skull symbolizes the dissolution, a sort of cleansing and purification, but also marks what is known in initiatic societies as the neophyte: one who has died in \u2018this\u2019 world to be reborn an adept of another one. So, birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe next stage I depict is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/liber-quaestionum-citrinitas\/id-n_tsCvbUcKPv\/\">Citrinitas<\/a> \u2014 I skipped one, Albedo, although I refer to its color \u2014 which represents, on a personal level, the maturing of the individual: the solar awakening or the wise man archetype for Jung. On a wider alchemical scheme, it represents the chemical wedding of the Moon and the Sun, a merging of male and female aspects. I guess the apple could as easily be seen as a biblical reference as a classical Western mythology one. Here, it can well be Adam and Eve reunited, or a golden apple stolen from the Hesperides \u2014 it doesn\u2019t really matter, as the tales are very similar in fundamental aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLastly, we reach the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/liber-quaestionum-rubedo\/id-n_WrByAidpxs\/\">Rubedo<\/a>, and that is the final stage, where you achieve the Philosopher\u2019s Stone \u2014 here, symbolized by the egg. This is the device that grants eternal youth and turns lead into gold, according to folk tales, but truly is the Condensation \u2014 the opposites reunited and reconciled \u2014 and all that that implies. Jung would say that redness is Eros (passion) and Pneuma (spirit).  Condensation reunion brings about a completion, a full process of becoming, symbolized by the egg \u2014 the potential but also the sublimated. An end that is also a beginning, an ouroboros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSo, where does it all fit the theme of love? Well, in my opinion, to be able to receive the true love, one must prepare himself and polish one\u2019s heart like a precious gem so it can be filled with the Light. Maybe these are not pieces about love but about necessary steps to be prepared for it. From the death of the Ego to the dawn of the true Self.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s not out of nothing that I juxtapose flat colors with textured fake clays, or that I use trompe l\u2019oeil niches. But I\u2019m more interested in knowing how you feel about this when you look at the pieces than in explaining or contextualizing all the bits. They are there for a reason, no doubt.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/oficinastk\/\"><em>Oficinas TK<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay muted src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/feeling_but_never_seeing-web-1.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/feeling-but-never-seeing\/id-n_9MDrM49bae\/\"><em>feeling, but never seeing<\/em> by Kibo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEach piece is a point of view on love. The first one, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/feeling-but-never-seeing\/id-n_9MDrM49bae\/\"><em>feeling, but never seeing<\/em><\/a>, expresses the fact that love can blind you in your relationship with another person. In this piece, each character knows that the other is there, but the only thing they see is their own reflection in the mirror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe second piece, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/harmony\/id-n_2Nl7Ag3u54\/\"><em>Harmony<\/em><\/a>, represents a balanced relationship between two people growing and evolving together. Each piece is a 3D animation with sound. I did the 3D on Blender, the music\/sound design on FL Studio and the postproduction on After Effects.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Kibo\/\"><em>Kibo<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/AdamFryda\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"632\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_quest-original-1024x632.jpg\" alt=\"The Quest by Adam Fryda\" class=\"wp-image-1109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_quest-original-1024x632.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_quest-original-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_quest-original-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_quest-original.jpg 1428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/quest\/id-n_XdB0ZZvEiD\/\"><em>The Quest<\/em> by Adam Fryda<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis piece is called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/quest\/id-n_XdB0ZZvEiD\/\"><em>The Quest<\/em><\/a> and draws inspiration from folklore and mythological tales, and also from my early fascination with Pre-Raphaelite art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs with many of my fantasy artworks, this piece started with hundreds of AI-generated landscapes. One or two may inspire a strong idea for a story. I will then use the generated work either as a reference or an underpainting to digitally paint over in Photoshop. The story leads out of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wanted a more literal interpretation of the \u2018mythic love\u2019 theme for this piece and took my inspiration from the many tales about heroes and heroines fighting against the odds on some mighty quest. They are fighting for something bigger than themselves, something transformational. And what is bigger and more transformational than love?\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/AdamFryda\/\"><em>Adam Fryda<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/angietaylor\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Selkie by Angie Taylor\" class=\"wp-image-1110\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor-934x933.jpg 934w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Selkie_Angie_Taylor.jpg 1720w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/selkie\/id-n_kQbYSkXTDy\/\"><em>Selkie<\/em> by Angie Taylor<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/selkie\/id-n_kQbYSkXTDy\/\">Selkie<\/a><\/em>, I wanted to make an artwork that was connected to a myth from my own Scottish culture. In the north of Scotland, we believe that the selkie is a mythological changeling whose soul has been condemned. They are fallen angels who spend their lives shapeshifting between humans and seals. Stories about selkies involve questions about love, life and death and the natural world. I was also inspired by the art of Edward Fugl\u00f8, who created a wonderful series of <a href=\"http:\/\/www.edwardfuglo.com\/2007.html\">postage stamps<\/a> for the Faroe Islands about the legends of the selkie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn this ambiguous sculpture, we are unsure whether the selkie is saving the man from drowning, making love to him or dragging him to his death. The selkie\u2019s calm, upright appearance represents stoic perseverance, determined strength and natural beauty. The man\u2019s expression could be either passionate ecstasy or painful hopelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI wanted to express the fluid nature of love \u2014 how it can traverse from safety to danger, darkness to light \u2014 reflecting the duality of life. Love can mean being kind but it can also be letting go, or even putting to death. I recently had to euthanize my lovely dog. It raised so many questions about what one must do for love. Sometimes the hardest things, the cruelest, can also be the kindest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/sappho\/id-n_cVnaDD3hiQ\/\">Sappho<\/a> was a great lyrical poet and musician who lived on the Island of Lesbos in the early seventh century BCE. Sappho is an icon for many LGBTQ+ people, as she was famous for her relationships with other women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn ancient Greece, it was more acceptable to have same-gender relationships than it is today. The island where she spent most of her life spawned the word <em>lesbian<\/em>. Her own name inspired the word <em>sapphic<\/em> to describe the love between two women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis animated sculpture was inspired by the painting <a href=\"https:\/\/manchesterartgallery.org\/explore\/title\/?mag-object-79\"><em>Sappho<\/em> (1877) by Auguste Charles Mengin<\/a>. Here, we see Sappho with her poetry book and her lyre. Her poetry is all-encompassing, wrapped around her body, indelibly printed onto her skin. This depicts the moment of contemplation before she leapt to her death from the Leucadian cliff tops.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/angietaylor\/\"><em>Angie Taylor<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/andreszighelbo1\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/andrs_zighelboim-the_mastery_of_love-original-987x1024.jpg\" alt=\"THE MASTERY OF LOVE by Andr\u00e9s Zighelboim\" class=\"wp-image-1113\" width=\"775\" height=\"803\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/andrs_zighelboim-the_mastery_of_love-original-987x1024.jpg 987w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/andrs_zighelboim-the_mastery_of_love-original-289x300.jpg 289w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/andrs_zighelboim-the_mastery_of_love-original-768x797.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/andrs_zighelboim-the_mastery_of_love-original-899x933.jpg 899w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/andrs_zighelboim-the_mastery_of_love-original.jpg 1376w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/mastery-love\/id-n_tbneCi4A6x\/\"><em>THE MASTERY OF LOVE<\/em> by Andr\u00e9s Zighelboim<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe starting point of all achievement is LOVE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak love brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/andreszighelbo1\/\"><em>Andr\u00e9s Zighelboim<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/0xMJ\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/i_cant_see_you-original-852x1024.jpg\" alt=\"I can\u2019t see you by oxMJ\n\" class=\"wp-image-1114\" width=\"775\" height=\"931\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/i_cant_see_you-original-852x1024.jpg 852w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/i_cant_see_you-original-250x300.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/i_cant_see_you-original-768x923.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/i_cant_see_you-original-776x933.jpg 776w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/i_cant_see_you-original.jpg 1188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/i-cant-see-you\/id-n_3OziKGVwgc\/\"><em>I can\u2019t see you<\/em> by 0xMJ<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c\u2018Mythic love\u2019 as a theme was pretty challenging for me. My art language is sharing my experiences, journey and learnings in a symbolic way. And love is one of the feelings I have struggled to recognize and that has been hard to accept, as I have felt unworthy of it for a long time. Ha ha. So, before working on this theme, I had to go down my memories and recall all attempts to find love. The whole process came through introspection and made me more compassionate for myself and for others. The resulting pieces are an attempt to invoke similar feelings from a viewer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe two canvases share two different perspectives of one relationship. When viewed separately, you see them hurting each other. When viewed together, you know they are trying to love and be loved. The pieces are mostly black and white, with golden highlights to represent hope and love and red to represent fear. The masks are references to my past work <em>Layers of lies<\/em>, which talks about how we create layers of masks in an attempt to be more likable, and in that process, we lose the sense of reality of who we are and what we want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBoth works are divided into three segments: past, present and future. The left side shows the past, our experiences that influence how we feel and perceive events in the present (the center part of canvas) and determine what actions we feel would save us from being hurt or hurting others in the future (the right side of canvas). The scenes take place in water, symbolizing change and chaos in its unpredictable movement. Isn\u2019t that how love is \u2014 uncontrollable, unpredictable and capable of changing us completely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe first piece is titled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/i-cant-see-you\/id-n_3OziKGVwgc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>I can\u2019t see you<\/em><\/a>, in which a girl hiding her face is trying to search for love in someone, but all she is presented with is masks. Hence, she keeps doubting herself and her worth. She rejects these masks, as they just bring her pain. The clouds are her past experiences, and the thread shows what she tried carrying with her from those clouds. When things were bad, she still tried to focus on the good, but now, because of those experiences, she is too scared to let her guard down. The Morse code emanating from clouds reads \u2018lovable\u2019 in the past and \u2018unlovable\u2019 in future. This internal fight makes things exhausting for her.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/0xMJ\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hide-original-852x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Hide by 0xMJ\" class=\"wp-image-1115\" width=\"775\" height=\"931\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hide-original-852x1024.jpg 852w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hide-original-250x300.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hide-original-768x923.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hide-original-776x933.jpg 776w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/hide-original.jpg 1188w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/hide\/id-n_r9cuGbFh1N\/\"><em>Hide<\/em> by 0xMJ<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe second piece is titled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/hide\/id-n_r9cuGbFh1N\/\"><em>Hide<\/em><\/a>. The broken mirror represents a critical self-image. The figure is crying, hurt by the mirror below them, and is trying their best to not be vulnerable or let anyone take advantage of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn the past, they have been rejected so many times that in the future, they attempt to create a person who is more \u2018likable.\u2019 All this person wants is love, but their heart is caged. Softness is hidden behind the strong walls trying to protect them. This concept is a reference to my past work <em>Protection<\/em>, which talked about how certain past events make us change ourselves to protect our kind, sweet and free side from damage. And in that journey, we become the first to kill that side of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is a blessing to have someone who can understand us, someone who tries to see beyond. We all want someone we feel at home with, we feel safe around to be vulnerable and trust enough to be ourselves with, without any masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese two works are my attempt to make viewers think about these complicated feelings and each other in a more compassionate way. We all are broken, hurt and can doubt our self-worth. Sometimes, when we are being too harsh to ourselves, we want someone to let us know how wrong we are about ourselves.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/0xMJ\/\"><em>0xMJ<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/LuluCollages\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/lul-forest_spirit-original-577x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Forest Spirit by Lul\u00fa\" class=\"wp-image-1119\" width=\"775\" height=\"1375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/lul-forest_spirit-original-577x1024.jpg 577w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/lul-forest_spirit-original-169x300.jpg 169w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/lul-forest_spirit-original-768x1364.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/lul-forest_spirit-original.jpg 804w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/forest-spirit\/id-n_dmK7aONgEm\/\"><em>Forest Spirit<\/em> by Lul\u00fa<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor this piece, I worked with 3D scans that I made on one of my trips to the south of my country, Argentina. For a month, I camped in native forests where only the vegetation and the animals that live there surround you. This is an experience I try to do every year, as I find it essential for my well-being and mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI feel a deep love for nature, and I am especially a fan of mountains and forests. When I find myself there, I connect with myself and with nature in a special and unique way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/forest-spirit\/id-n_dmK7aONgEm\/\"><em>Forest Spirit<\/em><\/a>, I wanted to represent the sensation that permeates me every night that I sleep in my tent, that silence interrupted by the trees that creak and remind you that they are there taking care of you from the rain, a warm calm that allows you to clear your mind and immerse yourself in a deep sleep, the soft breeze that enters through the mosquito net of the tent every morning, announcing that the sun is rising and a new day begins.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/LuluCollages\/\"><em>Lul\u00fa<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/AlejandraHer\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/narcissus-original-882x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Narcissus by Alejandra Herrera\" class=\"wp-image-1118\" width=\"775\" height=\"899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/narcissus-original-882x1024.jpg 882w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/narcissus-original-258x300.jpg 258w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/narcissus-original-768x892.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/narcissus-original-804x933.jpg 804w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/narcissus-original.jpg 1230w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/narcissus\/id-n_O4LRkr4ajQ\/\"><em>Narcissus<\/em> by Alejandra Her<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/narcissus\/id-n_O4LRkr4ajQ\/\"><em>Narcissus<\/em><\/a> is about the reflections of one\u2019s own reality. My work is based on memory and imagination, what we can remember and how this changes and changes us. In the piece, I included things capable of reflecting images: the water, the split mirrors floating with the waterlilies, the hanging jewels. These things show any number of realities in their reflections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI believe that we are infinite and capable of loving in this way, too. I believe that self-love can be transmuted into love for others, because after all, love is about giving without expecting anything in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI conceived of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/daphne\/id-n_eMhzRDaz0D\/\"><em>Daphne<\/em><\/a> as the opposite of <em>Narcissus<\/em>. It\u2019s inspired by the story of Daphne in Greek mythology. She relates to love in a tragic way, offering more questions than answers: Can love be one-sided? Can the tragedy of a person become something sacred?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn her transformation in my piece, Daphne begins to turn into an olive tree whose leaves poke out of a wound, and thorny vines surround her for protection. It\u2019s about protecting oneself. The big red ball is a warning sign: \u2018In case of emergency, break the glass.\u2019 Change can be abrupt. It can be something violent that occurs to protect us.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/AlejandraHer\/\"><em>Alejandra Her<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay loop muted src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/lapin_mignon-the_forgotten_love-web.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/forgotten-love\/id-n_LERaKGgYHo\/\"><em>The Forgotten Love<\/em> by Lapin Mignon<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/forgotten-love\/id-n_LERaKGgYHo\/\"><em>The Forgotten Love<\/em><\/a> portrays Guinevere and King Arthur. I had in mind all these women who guide humanity with their light but remain in the shadows of history. My train of thought started indeed with Guinevere, King Arthur\u2019s wife, and I was baffled to discover how little has been written about her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy hometown is not far from Broc\u00e9liande, a mystical forest in the Arthurian legend. It feels special there \u2014 I feel the vibes from the land and the ancestral magic. I thought about a legend in which Arthur would come back home and realize that what he was looking for all along lay in Guenievre, in her unconditional love and support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAnd you can reflect back on all these legendary women who have been the strength of humanity, keeping it all together while their men got all the credit, like Mary Magdalene to Jesus (I know it\u2019s controversial), Winnie Mandela to Nelson Mandela, Mileva Mari\u0107 to Albert Einstein, et cetera.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBy staying in the shadows for the sake of love, these women created a precedent by showing the ideal of femininity as being caring, hiding and giving their all to masculinity. So, underneath all the cuteness and peace in this artwork, there is a message about bringing to light those women who have been forgotten by history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAs for the medium, I started with my usual watercolor, and I blended it with natural elements I brought back from a romantic walk in the Great Malvern, like flowers and leaves. I left them on the wet paper while the watercolor was drying, creating a structure in the splashes of color. Then, guided by the random stains and the remaining white of the paper, I drew the silhouettes of Guinevere and King Arthur in ink. Afterward, I extended the power of watercolor with digital tools, bringing it to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is a sense of universal, unconditional love here \u2014 almost in a religious way. As an artist, and as myself, I feel love for everyone by default. This is something deeply anchored within me. Hence, my art always comes from a happy place. I want people to enjoy my art as if they were children, as I create like a child, too, prioritizing the fun and joy of creating.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/lapinmignon\/\"><em>Lapin Mignon<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/georgeboya\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-816x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Mythic Angel by George Boya\" class=\"wp-image-1123\" width=\"775\" height=\"974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-816x1024.jpg 816w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-239x300.jpg 239w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-768x964.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-1224x1536.jpg 1224w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-1632x2048.jpg 1632w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-743x933.jpg 743w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mythic_angel-original-scaled.jpg 2040w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/mythic-angel\/id-n_0uRfw4uld9\/\"><em><em>Mythic Angel<\/em><\/em> by George Boya<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe artwork I am presenting for \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 is titled <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/mythic-angel\/id-n_0uRfw4uld9\/\"><em>Mythic Angel<\/em><\/a>, and it is a digital collage. The technique I used was inspired by stained-glass art, and the aim was to create a colorful and bright result, as if there is a source of light behind the artwork. It is the same technique I worked with when I started my journey as a hand-cut-collage artist 20 years ago, and now, for the first time, I am using only digital tools to re-create the same process and result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMy piece is inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which is, in my opinion, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/introspective-magazine\/pre-raphaelites-at-the-legion-of-honor-museum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the most romantic art movement<\/a>. Love is celebrated as a story built in the world of imagination, cutting all ties with reality and giving mythical propositions to the object of our desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI am very much intrigued by the idea of platonic love in the metaverse, which is a world of pure imagination. Will this experience enhance our feelings or make us more numb to the mystery and excitement by constantly exposing us to the surreal? I think it is a topic worth exploring.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/georgeboya\/\"><em>George Boya<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay muted src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/so_far__so_close-web.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/so-far-so-close\/id-n_YGduyzpOIg\/\"><em>So Far \/\/ So Close<\/em> by J\u00e6n<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/so-far-so-close\/id-n_YGduyzpOIg\/\"><em>So Far \/\/ So Close<\/em><\/a>, I focused on an indecisive state of love that can be equally frustrating and exciting. The subjective vantage point evokes a mind-space setting, so it\u2019s not about reality but your perception of your own feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMore than any piece before, I will leave this one open to interpretation. Is it the moment before your leap of faith, when you\u2019re about to know if love is mutual? Is it about grieving, and you cannot help but yearn for your lost one\u2019s presence? Is it about a long-distance relationship, where fantasy gradually overrides a real relationship?\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Jaen\/\"><em>J\u00e6n<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/PanterXhita\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/panter_xhita-pomberito-original-741x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Pomberito by Panter Xhita\" class=\"wp-image-1126\" width=\"775\" height=\"1072\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/panter_xhita-pomberito-original-741x1024.jpg 741w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/panter_xhita-pomberito-original-217x300.jpg 217w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/panter_xhita-pomberito-original-768x1061.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/pomberito\/id-n_BHMmctZguG\/\"><em>Pomberito<\/em> by Panter Xhita<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI chose to interpret \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 in a literal sense. So, I decided to paint one of the most famous myths of my area, northern Argentina. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/pomberito\/id-n_BHMmctZguG\/\">El Pomberito<\/a> is a controversial mythological character. He punishes people who hurt nature. So, I thought, that is a form of love. The love for nature. A mythical love.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/PanterXhita\/\"><em>Panter Xhita<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/hairofmedusa\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/in_the_temple_of_athena-original-769x1024.jpg\" alt=\"In the Temple of Athena by ceren y\u00fczg\u00fcl\" class=\"wp-image-1127\" width=\"775\" height=\"1032\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/in_the_temple_of_athena-original-769x1024.jpg 769w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/in_the_temple_of_athena-original-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/in_the_temple_of_athena-original-768x1023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/in_the_temple_of_athena-original-700x933.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/in_the_temple_of_athena-original.jpg 1072w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/temple-athena\/id-n_hVUam2ssAH\/\"><em>In the Temple of Athena<\/em> by ceren y\u00fczg\u00fcl<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe piece I\u2019m presenting for this exhibition, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/temple-athena\/id-n_hVUam2ssAH\/\"><em>In the Temple of Athena<\/em><\/a>, is meant to capture one of the darker aspects of love. It\u2019s about the corrosive forces that can turn the bliss of true love into a curse, using the metaphor of Medusa and Poseidon. Let\u2019s recall that Athena wanted to punish Poseidon but settled for poor Medusa because she wasn\u2019t able to exact revenge on Poseidon himself. My adaptation imbues Medusa with more agency than the classical myth, so that I can bring more focus to the curselike nature of love, even if it\u2019s voluntary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m trying to capture the mythological elements in the theme by going to one of the darker stories in Greek mythology. In my work, I frequently like to explore the elements of strong human emotion through surrealism. Much of my portfolio is concerned with dreamlike perspectives on love as a force of both salvation and destruction.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/hairofmedusa\/\"><em>ceren y\u00fczg\u00fcl<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video aligncenter\"><video autoplay loop muted src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/mighty_moose-elusive_transcendental_fondness-original.mp4\"><\/video><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/elusive-transcendental-fondness\/id-n_NI9CDo2gwU\/\"><em>elusive transcendental fondness<\/em> by Mighty Moose<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn my life, I have experienced both the incredible joy of loving someone and the harshness of the rejection of that love. I have, over time, expressed these experiences through my art in many different ways. There is a depth, a longing within each of us to be loved and to be able to share love with others. In spite of this, we often find ourselves grappling with broken relationships, failures on our part and others\u2019 to love selflessly and wholeheartedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt is this reality, the complexity and difficulty of love, that I sought to express in my piece and often in my larger body of work. I use glitch and a bit of chaos in my work, as I find they encapsulate life\u2019s struggles and realities so well. I use them to express the truth and hope that through all the chaos and mishaps and brokenness, we can experience beautiful things.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSpecifically, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/elusive-transcendental-fondness\/id-n_NI9CDo2gwU\/\"><em>elusive transcendental fondness<\/em><\/a> expresses the struggle, the desire for love. There are two hearts in the piece, a light and a dark heart. The dark heart sets as the backdrop the despair perhaps of a past one seeks to rid oneself of. The light heart speaks of hope, of a desire to change. The love of the past, the hope for a better love in the future. Or is it all just an elusive transcendental fondness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are hand-drawn elements as well as AI-created elements, and then personally created glitches and chaos created through multiple layers and processings\/renderings to end with the piece you see now.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/Mightymoose\/\"><em>Mighty Moose<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/stinajones\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stina_jones-wailing-original-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Wailing by Stina Jones\" class=\"wp-image-1130\" width=\"775\" height=\"775\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stina_jones-wailing-original-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stina_jones-wailing-original-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stina_jones-wailing-original-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stina_jones-wailing-original-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stina_jones-wailing-original-933x933.jpg 933w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/stina_jones-wailing-original.jpg 1428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/wailing\/id-n_DnO40D5mHb\/\"><em>Wailing<\/em> by Stina Jones<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/wailing\/id-n_DnO40D5mHb\/\"><em>Wailing<\/em><\/a> is a hand-drawn digital painting inspired by <em>cyhyraeth<\/em> and banshee myths. The frightening presence of these spirits often overshadows their empathetic motives. She is a harbinger, not a killer, appearing by the loved ones of the dying. She wails because she knows the pain of love and loss.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/stinajones\/\"><em>Stina Jones<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/theinternetoffice\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-confessions_of_the_orgasmic_body-original-873x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Confessions of the Orgasmic Body by The Internet Office\" class=\"wp-image-1131\" width=\"775\" height=\"909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-confessions_of_the_orgasmic_body-original-873x1024.jpg 873w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-confessions_of_the_orgasmic_body-original-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-confessions_of_the_orgasmic_body-original-768x900.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-confessions_of_the_orgasmic_body-original-796x933.jpg 796w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-confessions_of_the_orgasmic_body-original.jpg 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/confessions-orgasmic-body\/id-n_lHEnoAeis2\/\"><em>Confessions of the Orgasmic Body<\/em> by The Internet Office<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe idea for our \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 pieces was to create two distinct entities and then try to conjoin them as much as possible so as to create a sense of wholeness. We tried to make them look frozen in a moment of becoming, as they conceive ideas, concepts and understandings of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe wanted to create forms that resemble organs as well as organisms in a moment of extreme fertility, combining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/confessions-orgasmic-body\/id-n_lHEnoAeis2\/\">egg-like shapes<\/a> with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/fetiche-y-deseo\/id-n_rPtYOTT9Sz\/\">elongated muscular protrusions<\/a>. The idea was to retell genesis stories through abstracted organic shapes rather than the humanoid supernatural figures used usually in mythology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe tried to tackle love in the most carnal sense, moving away from romanticism in favor of a more graphic and physical depiction. Mythology can have a lot of apathy toward human feelings and vulnerability, being rather authoritative and cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCreation myths take place in a primordial age where love as conceived by humans may be totally different or even absent. So, love, as depicted in our pieces, is more about the power to create and animate.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/theinternetoffice\/\"><em>The Internet Office<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/BARBIS.A.\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"896\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/barbara_pampin-sunrise_drive-original-1024x896.jpg\" alt=\"Sunrise drive by Barbara Pampin\" class=\"wp-image-1134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/barbara_pampin-sunrise_drive-original-1024x896.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/barbara_pampin-sunrise_drive-original-300x263.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/barbara_pampin-sunrise_drive-original-768x672.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/barbara_pampin-sunrise_drive-original-1066x933.jpg 1066w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/barbara_pampin-sunrise_drive-original.jpg 1428w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/art\/sunrise-drive\/id-n_JJurcxZW8m\/\"><em>Sunrise drive<\/em> by Barbara Pampin<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cFor my works in \u2018Mythic Love,\u2019 I drew inspiration from AI-generated images based on my own precious drawings. Both of these pieces are about diving into the unknown while trusting in a higher force of love \u2014 like flying into the cosmos knowing that the cosmos will hug you back. Both images give the idea of being a part of a bigger story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLove, for me, is not just about the romantic aspect. There is love in every corner, in the simplest acts of kindness. In the end, love will save the world.\u201d <em>\u2014 <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft\/profile\/BARBIS.A.\/\"><em>Barbara Pampin<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"interstitial-banner interstitial-banner--collection\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"interstitial-collection-banner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n                <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"933\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-fetiche_y_deseo-original-796x933.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full-width size-full-width\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-fetiche_y_deseo-original-796x933.jpg 796w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-fetiche_y_deseo-original-256x300.jpg 256w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-fetiche_y_deseo-original-873x1024.jpg 873w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-fetiche_y_deseo-original-768x900.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-fetiche_y_deseo-original.jpg 1218w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/>            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"interstitial-collection-text\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n                <div class=\"interstitial-heading serif-title\">Explore the \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 Exhibition<\/div>\n                                <a class=\"feature-banner-button button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/\">\n                    <span>View All<\/span>\n                <\/a>\n\n            <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<!--\n\n<div class=\"interstitial-banner interstitial-banner-collection interstitial-container\">\n  <div class=\"interstitial-content\">\n    <div class=\"interstitial-background-image\">\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/the_internet_office-fetiche_y_deseo-original-1000x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-interstitial size-interstitial\" alt=\"\" \/>    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"container interstitial-text\">\n      <a class=\"interstitial-link-around-text\" href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n        <div class=\"interstitial-heading\">Explore the \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 Exhibition<\/div>\n        <div class=\"interstitial-subheading\"><\/div>\n      <\/a>\n      <a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n        <span>View All<\/span>\n      <\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div> -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the 1983 short story \u201cBasileus,\u201d by sci-fi author Robert Silverberg, a Bay Area computer programmer named Dan Cunningham learns how to download angels. Eventually, he spends so much time chatting with his cohort of more than 1,100 celestial beings (and inventing new ones) that he\u2019s too tired to focus on his Defense Department job [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":1093,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62],"tags":[418,416,413,421,417,268,92,430,403,404,425,354,146,197,407,112,231,410,422,426,423,411,415,401,419,420,428,427,405,402,66,414,424,412,406,399,70,429,409,408],"class_list":["post-1063","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exhibition-highlights","tag-0xmj","tag-adam-frya","tag-ailin-kertesz","tag-alejandra-herrera","tag-andres-zighelboim","tag-angie-taylor","tag-artist","tag-barbara-pampin","tag-basileus","tag-basileus-eth","tag-ceren-yuzgul","tag-collector","tag-crypto","tag-cryptoart","tag-curator","tag-exhibition","tag-exhibition-highlights","tag-gala-mirissa","tag-george-boya","tag-hairofmedusa","tag-jaen","tag-joern-bielewski","tag-kibo","tag-kris-bones","tag-lapin-mignon","tag-lulu","tag-mighty-moose","tag-mightymoose","tag-mythic-love","tag-nathaniel-stern","tag-nft","tag-oficinas-tk","tag-panter-xhita","tag-rebecca-rose","tag-robert-silverberg","tag-sasha-stiles","tag-stina-jones","tag-the-internet-office","tag-zebra","tag-zuphioh"],"acf":{"secondary_featured_image":false,"width":false,"post_format":"article","subtitle":"The NFT collector and now curator asked 24 artists to explore what he calls the \u201cqueen of emotions.\u201d","contributors":{"hide_byline":false,"columnist":[{"ID":614,"post_author":"12","post_date":"2022-04-21 20:08:26","post_date_gmt":"2022-04-21 20:08:26","post_content":"Trent Morse is the executive editor of <em>The Mint<\/em>, <em>The Study<\/em> and <em>Introspective Magazine<\/em> at 1stDibs.","post_title":"Trent Morse","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"trent-morse","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2022-04-21 20:10:02","post_modified_gmt":"2022-04-21 20:10:02","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/?post_type=contributors&#038;p=614","menu_order":0,"post_type":"contributors","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"photographer":"","custom_byline":false},"related_items":false,"interstitial_banners":[{"acf_fc_layout":"collection","interstitial_banner_shortcode":"mythic-love","interstitial_banner_background_image":1132,"interstitial_banner_heading":"Explore the \u2018Mythic Love\u2019 Exhibition","interstitial_banner_subheading":"","interstitial_banner_button_text":"View All","interstitial_banner_button_url":"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/nft-collections\/exhibitions\/mythic-love\/"}],"title":"","text":""},"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Is Love a Myth? Basileus Looks for Answers in a New Exhibition - 1stDibs: The Mint<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The NFT collector and now curator asked 24 artists to explore what he calls the \u201cqueen of emotions.\u201d\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.1stdibs.com\/the-mint\/basileus-mythic-love\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Is Love a Myth? 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