Author: Kevin Shaw (Mexyu) and Erica Miller (Privatewoman)
Funding Cycle: (09-2022)
It is currently unclear how original, non-digital artwork created for Chaos, e.g. the paintings created by Kevin, can be used. The physical paintings are currently stored in Kevin’s studio in Oakland, California; they are not framed or exhibited. Where should the paintings be stored? Can they be exhibited? Can they be sold? If sold, what is the value flow and to whom can they be sold?
There’s also been expressed interest from Chaos to experiment with merch/apparel and not yet a push to experiment here. Other open questions: How can we experiment with new projects to help sell more packs? How do we operationalize new projects? How can the Chaos common pool be utilized to support new experiments?
There is no current infrastructure (systems, process, knowledge) for Chaos visual artists to experiment with exhibiting and selling work within Chaos. The intention is that the experiments described below can help build infrastructure and establish best practices to create more opportunity for Chaos visual artists and other experiments.
This project proposes using the Chaos Paintings created by Kevin to run two experiments:
Experiment 1 – Chaos Alchemy Painting Originals: selling 1-of-1 NFTs of eight of the nine Alchemy paintings, which would unlock access to the original physical painting (framed, 10” x 8”). Reserving one of the nine Alchemy paintings for a raffle.*
This experiment would hopefully breathe life into pack sales and the Chaos NFT collection. It may motivate people to open packs to see if they have an Alchemy NFT, granting them access to purchase in Round 1.
Pricing: based on secondary sales of Alchemy NFTs, we’ve received guidance to price at a minimum of 1 ETH given that the 1-of-1 pieces reflect the raw art in Alchemy cover artwork as well as the unlocking of the physical painting (framed, 10” x 8”). Decision point: fixed pricing or auction? Would love feedback on auction design and auction vs. fixed pricing strategy.
The strategy above is targeting Chaos NFT holders (and specifically Alchemy holders); however, several campers have expressed interest in acquiring a painting. Kevin is honored by this and we propose two options for campers interested in a painting:
Experiment 2 – Chaos Alchemy Painting Shirts: selling limited edition shirts with underlying NFT using NFC chip technology through collaboration with IYK. There’s also experimentation opportunity to unlock gated content, e.g. Verite’s IYK crewneck unlocks advance access to her new album and video content. Shirts would be “high-end” i.e. full color CMYK printing, sewn-in tags, sweatshop free fabric. They would feature a design inspired by one of the nine Alchemy paintings. Minimum batch order for shirts is 30. if possible from a dev perspective, would also tether packs to the shirts (e.g. a pack included in the sale of the shirt).
We propose opening this sale to any Chaos NFT holders and experiment with a small batch. The objectives are to both experiment with merch sales as well as regenerating attention to and boosting NFT pack sales. If the limited run of 30 sells out, we recommend doing a production run of a second painting design. If possible mechanically, would ideally offer discounts to Chaos Campers for those interested.
chaos.build