The INK (fragrances) collection contains six fragrances, each uniquely embodies its corresponding generative artwork, produced at the time of purchase from the INK algorithm, resulting in a handcrafted, exclusive formula. The bottle itself, also handcrafted, serves as a container but stands as an independent object. A drop of crystal ink.
Involving other senses, and for that, crafting a scent to coexist and transcend at the same time the visuals, it becomes not just fragrance, but a reminder that art, like memory, lives beyond the visible.
INK speaks to the bold insistence on leaving a trace, a mark that knows it will fade, yet persists. A poetic contradiction lies in each stroke: the pursuit of permanence in a world destined to vanish. Whether in blue or black, in pencil or rust, each line reflects fragments of human experience – perhaps figures, animals, or letters – yet none of it is real; it is only experiences, biases, dreams, and demons.
To this, INK adds the handcrafted as part of the experience—a scent that lets us declare, “I was here; I existed.” Rather than rely on the slow decay of ink, paper, or perhaps one day pixels, we lean on what is within our control: memory, boundless, infinite, and ours alone. For a moment, breathe it in, take in the work. In this quiet persistence, we find our redemption—an echo of those who remain and those who have already gone.
INK is a profoundly personal project. As Velitchkova says "Life doesn’t give us what we desire without first demanding something in return". INK is Velitchkova's answer to a year filled with hard lessons, hopes, and losses. Built upon these experiences, each line structure tells its own story, echoing to a song by Travis—a band that knows the artist's steps better than most.
This series traces the history of inks through algorithmic iterations. Each one is reimagined as both a medium and metaphor. Iron gall ink, used in medieval Europe, ironically corroded the manuscripts it aimed to preserve. Blue ink, made practical by the 20th-century ballpoint, serves the demands of modern life. Black ink, from ancient Egypt and China, symbolizes permanence in official records and last words. White ink, an accent in manuscripts and art, was never meant for the mundane. It exists to illuminate, to contrast, used sparingly for highlights on dark surfaces.
INK draws from the simplicity of Picasso’s single-line figures, Chillida’s sculptural weight, Kline’s expressive brushwork, and Basquiat’s chaotic yet precise gestures. Yet it seeks neither homage nor critique, it merely stands as a mirror, reflecting our insistent need to matter.
RELEASE DATE
2 Dec 2024
LIBRARY
p5@1.9.0
DISPLAY NOTES
Encased in a hand-blown glass bottle, each fragrance contains 30ml of meticulously crafted unisex compounds: herbal, woody, spicy with varying possible notes of ambrette, hay, pepper, fir balsam, hinoki cedar, Bulgarian rose absolute.
CREATIVE CREDITS
INK is the culmination of many things. And many people along the way. Therefore, I’d like to dedicate it to all of them—those who are here and those who are not. It feels like a kind of poetic ending, and at the same time, the beginning of something new. Specifically, throughout the development of this project over the past year, I want to thank the entire ArtBlocks team for believing in each of my ideas and for being willing to go all in on them. Special mention to Sarah Rossien for swiftly helping me through the process, and Holladay Saltz, for her invaluable help in crafting the fragrance—for her dedication, knowledge, generosity, and passion. Lastly, and of course, to Marcelo. For his patience and support. For being each other’s muse, always, in everything. Day after day, and forever.
SALES NOTES
Available for purchase with credit card, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. Each purchase includes a generative fragrance and its corresponding digital artwork, which can be claimed upon purchase. All fragrances are made to order.
RELEASE DETAILS
6 works released on 2 Dec 2024
TAGS
ARTIST SITE
http://inkxiskra.com...
PROJECT ID
0xab0000000000aa06f89b268d604a9c1c41524ac6-500
CONTRACT
Etherscan
LICENSE
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0