**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

A simulation of me sketching 100 variations of the same idea. My focus and attention to detail wane with each successive drawing as boredom, frustration, and feelings of inevitability begin to sink in. By the end I find myself repeatedly asking: What's the point of it all?

Pointers

What do you see when you close your eyes and your retinas still burn from computer screen light?

I Saw It in a Dream

**Gels** is a science-inspired generative piece. Our algorithm simulates *gel electrophoresis*, a powerful experimental method in molecular biology used daily by thousands of scientists worldwide. In the lab, scientists "run a gel" to separate and visualize molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins. These molecules appear as patterns of bands when photographed, and those patterns can be used to interpret the results of experiments. 

The DNA band patterns in this work derive from combinations of a simulated experimental data and real-world data, including DNA sequences that encode several variants of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and the corresponding mRNA vaccines. Our algorithm first generates plausible sample tubes that typically contain one or more DNA fragments. Then, each sample is distributed and "run" on a simulated gel to create the characteristic band patterns that might be observed on real gels.

Our simulations also take into account human error — mistakes are common in the lab, especially for novice researchers, but they can also lead to visually interesting results. For example, uneven salt concentrations or applying excess voltage can cause warping effects.

Finally, we aim to leverage proceeds of this project to support future scientific research! We invite interested collectors to follow along with our future work.

Gels

Primitive shapes generate complex and chaotic snapshots of a larger form, still images with a sense of rapid motion, going through repetitive sequencing of parametrized mathematical functions, rotations and placement of objects. Augmented Sequence is a project by Joonas Toivonen, building upon work on audiovisual installations and electronic music performances. The parameters for sequence attributes, shapes, lighting, materials and colors are driven by the hash of the minting transaction, producing unique and surprising results. 


Art Blocks Presents

Augmented Sequence #574

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About Augmented Sequence #574

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