Kim Asendorf Who Makes NFT Art Designed to Hypnotize
“This is madness! Mom, I urgently need $450 for this piece!” — the 16-year-old me would have thought. In my teenage years, I was indeed a true rock music fan. Black eyeliner, posters of all possible rock bands… But I’ll tell you, even now I want these NFTs because Metallica is a classic.
Well, NFTs are really at the peak of popularity right now. Many artists, game developers, and, of course, musicians are actively releasing their creations in digital form, which provides a great opportunity to obtain a piece of artwork from your idol from anywhere in the world. In the famous Metallica music video “Chasing Light,” the works of Kim Asendorf, a digital expressionist and native of internet art, were featured. Following this, he decided to present his latest release as an NFT.
“Colors of Noise” by Asendorf is a series of 50 unique art pieces minted on Ethereum, some of which have already been put up for sale at 0.25 ETH (around $450) per NFT. According to Decrypt, a German artist, “Each one is an ode to sound design.” This project represents a fusion of visual and sound art.
By utilizing the web audio API to create white noise, Asendorf then developed a filter to separate the colors of noise within it. The waveform for different sounds was then recreated within a four-pixel-high wave shape, which became a trigger for accompanying animations.
Asendorf offers 16 different animations and three additional components for each piece. Pressing the play button initiates the audiovisual art, while pausing freezes the wave in place, causing the animations to disappear. “Colors of Noise” is a unique creation generated in real-time. The artist believes that this kind of NFT will surely evoke a reaction from anyone who experiences it.
“I don’t really consider it interactive art,” says Asendorf. “People should hopefully just be interested in watching it, letting it sink in, and maybe allowing it to hypnotize them for a while.”
You might think, “There’s something here reminiscent of techno.” This is probably because the author has long been interested in electronic music and sounds that can be reproduced using both digital and analog synthesizers.
In real life, you have probably encountered sounds that have either calmed you or triggered certain emotions. According to the artist, there are always sounds present in this work, but the brain filters out some of them, making them inaudible, while others simply soothe.
White noise is commonly used to aid sleep, pink noise enhances concentration, and brown noise promotes relaxation. “Colors of Noise” is an artistic exploration into the emotional responses evoked by these different sounds.
“People will need time to assess whether they find it pleasing, helpful, or disturbing,” he adds.
Asendorf’s future work aims to incorporate more sound to enhance both the audio-visual and audio-reactive aspects. He is currently developing various tools, including MIDI controllers for web browsers, to support this endeavor. This follows his collaborative direction of Metallica’s “Chasing Light” video alongside Dina Chang, which featured animations that responded partially to audio.
While the technology behind “Colors of Noise” is not currently optimized for live performances, where visuals are generated in real-time during an artist’s performance, due to the complexities of different frequencies and high sound compression, Asendorf expresses interest in exploring how his work could be utilized in sound performances. Despite existing Vjay software fulfilling this purpose, Asendorf seeks to pursue his own unconventional approach to connecting sound and visuals.
Asendorf describes his work as a creative outlet and appreciates the ability to produce it in a “low-tech environment” using just a computer, a code editor, and the internet. With nearly 20 years of experience in digital art, he believes that the emergence of Web3 introduces a fresh and dynamic element to his artistic practice.
Their groundbreaking NFT will reach the masses by any means necessary.
Just like many other projects that understand the current value of NFTs, several initiatives are trying to bring ordinary people into this industry, aiming to educate society about what NFTs are and finally embrace the fact that NFTs and crypto are our future.
Well, NFT has permeated different corners, and as you have understood, it has also reached various spaces. Here are a few projects that recently announced news about their NFTs and will contribute to the widespread adoption of digital art in society, just like Asendorf:
1 NFTs by WhiteBIT.
WhiteBIT is an exchange ranked among the top 10 most relevant crypto exchanges today. The exchange has positioned itself as a project open to collaboration and partnerships. In May of this year, WhiteBIT launched a collection of NFTs called “The WhiteBIT Bulls.” Each month, the exchange releases 101 NFT tokens (10 types of 10 units each) and one unique NFT. All of them will be distributed among participants.
2Ubisoft prepares NFTs for Assassin’s Creed.Gaming giant Ubisoft will release a series of NFTs on the Polygon blockchain for fans of the Assassin’s Creed series. The license for the collection has been granted to Integral Reality Labs studio. Additionally, fans will have the option to order a physical figurine of the character as an addition to the NFT. It will be 3D-printed and placed in a glass cube.
Conclusion
The projects like Asendorf are playing a pivotal role in popularizing NFT art and driving its wider adoption. Through their captivating initiatives, they are not only introducing NFTs to the masses but also educating them about the immense potential and significance of NFTs and cryptocurrencies. These endeavors are shaping the future of the NFT industry by showcasing the revolutionary nature of these digital assets.
Various projects, such as WhiteBIT’s monthly NFT releases and Ubisoft’s integration of NFTs into the Assassin’s Creed series, are successfully bringing NFT art to different sectors and expanding its reach to a broader audience. These initiatives not only grant access to NFT art but also create unique opportunities for fans to connect with their favorite brands and artists.
As the NFT industry continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly evident that NFTs and crypto are permanent fixtures in the digital landscape. Artists, musicians, and creators worldwide recognize the groundbreaking potential of these digital assets. By embracing this technology, society can unlock a new era of artistic expression, ownership, and engagement. Projects like “Colors of Noise” and others are leading the way, offering a promising future for NFTs and creating an exciting and transformative landscape for both creators and enthusiasts alike.
