**Avalon is a series of generative maps to imaginary places.** 

Visually inspired by vintage textbooks and map collections, Avalon takes a purely aesthetical perspective on the land drop hype and the mythical realm that is the metaverse. 

The practice of mapping the imaginary reaches back to the middle ages and has been particularly popular in the renaissance era. It has always been used as tool to visualize allegories and manifest a sense of longing. In that sense, Avalon can be interpreted as a visualization of a machines wanderlust.

The series is named after the place where, according to legend, King Arthur is buried. Avalon is referred to in literary sources as an island, valley or field.

**Avalon is a dynamic collection.** Each map is positioned on a virtual globe and will go through 12.5 hour tidal cycles based on a virtual moon orbit. Maps will update every two minutes and to reflect the changing tides. 

Map labels show some basic information about each map. They include the map coordinates, maximum elevation and maximum sea depth, a topographic profile of the map and an indication of the current tidal level.

**Avalon is interactive.** Collectors can interact with and customize their maps by using a series of commands that will change some of the basic visual traits of their maps. Maps can be downloaded both as high and low resolution images directly from the art blocks preview.

**Basic commands:**
‘s’ - save image
‘i’ - toggle label on or off
‘m’ - switch between colored and monochrome versions
‘h’ - render high resolution image
'r' - refresh image in its original state

**Please make sure the map is active by clicking it before you interact.**

Avalon is limited to 208 mints, one for every sovereign state (based on [this list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states))

Avalon

Beautiful bouquets of generative flowers, with fascinating diversity in numbers, shapes and colour combinations. Each one has its own personality, its own character, and is always stunning and surprising, as you can expect with flowers in their natural form.

Flowers

Chroma Theory is the infinite animation filled with color, where you can experience slight movement, irregular pulse, and tonal diffusion. It's the abstract study of color coexistence and mutual interference, from pastel hues to vivid compositions. A minimalistic variation on visual media art. Every aspect (colors, sizes, mixing, and movement) is assigned to the process of minting, which makes every piece unique. Sit back, relax and give it time.

Chroma Theory

**:: UMK [Ultra Mechanika]. Beyond technology ::**

Imagine a world where technology not only advances mechanically, but also adapts and changes in response to its environment. 

In this view, machines could evolve into a variety of forms, from biological and organic to architectural and industrial, each with its own unique capabilities and characteristics.

The UMK algorithm could be thought of as a life form that has evolved from a seed. Its DNA defines the way in which it grows and develops.

**:: Motivation ::**

UMK expands my previous explorations of the interaction between humans and technology. 

Previously, In the "Defrag Trilogy" (link in the website), I narrate a tale spanning three chapters, exploring the emotions we encounter as we mature amidst a technologically world. The conclusion: technology emerges victorious every time.

This time, I delve into the idea of a world where human intervention is not necessary, showcasing a hypothetical scenario where machines operate and evolve independently. What would self-evolving technology look like?

**:: Aesthetics ::**

As a devout admirer of Manga and graphic novels, the style of the artwork is centered around creating a hand-drawn, captivating one-page masterpiece. 

With UMK, I embark on a journey of maximalist illustration. A path that pushes the boundaries of my previous creations to achieve  figurative pieces that are both visually stunning and unpredictably intriguing.
 
This maximalist approach is designed to evoke a sense of wonder and exploration. The intricate use of textures and interlocking geometries invites the viewer to dive into the artwork and be entranced by the details and nuances. 

**:: Animation ::**

Animation is crafted to captivate and hold the viewer's attention. Sit back and savor the mesmerizing construction mechanics and the gentle flow of the subtle elements in the background.

**:: Final words ::**

In UMK there is a touch of the clean and dreamlike drawing of Jean Giraud (Moebius), the intricate technological structures of Katsuhiro Otomo, or the biomechanical orgies of H.R. Giger. These are some examples of artists who have left a lasting impression on me and whose works continue to shape my aesthetic sensibility.

Art lies within the code itself. When we view the outcome on the screen, we are witnessing the crystallization of the algorithm at a specific moment, under certain conditions. The code is immutable and the results are mere coincidence. 

Enjoy UMK.

**:: Interaction ::**

You can restart the animation or save it as a hi resolution PNG image.
Tap the screen or mouse click to show the reset/save buttons.
Also you can use keys: 'S' to save , 'R' to restart

Initially worn by miners and cowboys, roughly half of the world’s population wears denim on a given day, and the range of styles is–literally–endless. A new pair of jeans might be acid bleached, sandblasted, stonewashed, or tie-dyed; it can have hand-sanded rips and tears, followed by visible mendings, patches, intentional paint stains, and more. In an epic attempt to crack the genetic code of denim, Jenim playfully but carefully observes and translates the warp and weft of denim into generative code, weaving unique iterations of irregular, distorted, or hyper-realistic textile crops.

Ironically, imitating aging, a pair of jeans produced today generates more pollution and labor than most average garments. In response, Jenim’s minted iterations go beyond wearables and into infinity. Each year that passes, the color might fade slightly; the rips might expand. Who knows what these artworks will look like ten or even fifty years from now?

Art Blocks Presents

Jenim #13

Orr Kislev & Alona Rodeh

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