Ever since I was a kid, I've been into collecting stuff. Cards, Pogs, Kidrobot Toys, Pokémon - you name it, I was probably into it. Then, NFTs came along. Having always been fascinated by both technology and art, I was instantly hooked.

I got caught in the Web 3 web and decided to create a space where I can share some thoughts on projects I think are cool. And hopefully, you'll find some of it cool, too.

Ian Cheng’s ‘3Face’

A few months back, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) made waves by stepping into the NFT space, adding a selection of standout pieces to its permanent collection. Among these acquisitions was "3Face" by Ian Cheng.

Ian Cheng, a pioneer in the contemporary art scene, is celebrated for his innovative use of AI and simulation technologies in his work, well before Midjourney came into the picture. So I was pretty excited to take part.

"3Face" is a collection of 4,096 NFTs that uses the holder's wallet transaction data to determine their personality type, generating an artwork that reflects their psyche. This artwork captures both the stable and dynamic aspects of their identity. As the wallet data changes, collectors have the option to update their NFT, allowing their digital portrait to evolve. This means the artwork will continue to change over time.

With artists like Ian Cheng continuing to experiment with blockchain technology, and esteemed museums like MoMA embracing NFTs, it's clear that this might be more than just a fleeting phenomenon.

Tom Sach’s ‘Rocket Factory’

For those uninitiated, Tom Sachs is an artist who blends sculpture, installation, and a touch of performance into captivating artworks showcased in galleries like MoMA, the Guggenheim, and Tate Modern. So naturally, when I heard he was launching an NFT project, I was all in.

The idea behind this project was beautifully simple. Collectors were able to mint three random rocket parts from a 3000-piece pool of noses, bodies, and tails. The aim was to assemble a rocket, with only 1000 complete rockets being possible. To do this, you needed to engage with total stranger - swap parts, and sometimes haggle a bit, to get the piece you wanted. Once you had a nose, body, and tail, you could mint a fully assembled Rocket NFT.

Rocket holders could then bring their digital creation to life with the launch of an identical hand-painted rocket. The launches took place over the space of a year, with the completed Rocket NFTs and their physical twins (if found) sent to the original owner. Each hand-painted rocket came encased in fancy museum-grade glass. And a video capturing the launch was also linked to the NFT.

The project gained so much popularity that Paris Hilton and Pharrell Williams each grabbed a Chanel rocket. Budweiser also participated, showcasing a Budweiser rocket as their Twitter profile picture and hosting a unique launch for Budweiser rockets.

Damien Hirst’s ‘The Currency’

I had the incredible luck of snagging a spot in Damien Hirst's digital debut on July 14, 2021, with "The Currency."

This project unveiled 10,000 NFTs, each linked to a unique work on paper crafted by Hirst back in 2016.

But it was more than just buying art; "The Currency" aimed to shake up our ideas about the worth of money and art itself.

Successful applicants received the artwork initially as an NFT and had one year to decide whether to keep the NFT or exchange it for the physical artwork. Whichever option they chose, the other would be destroyed.

The exchange period closed on July 27, 2022, with 4,851 holders opting to keep the NFT and 5,149 choosing the physical artwork. (In case you’re wondering - I chose the physical 🔥)

To mark the conclusion, Hirst hosted an in-person burning event, where he incinerated the physical pieces of those who chose to keep their NFTs.

Throughout the project, holders enjoyed some awesome perks: an airdrop of Damien Hirst’s second NFT collection, "Great Expectations"; for those lucky enough to be in London, a private tour of Hirst’s London studios; exclusive merchandise; and even the chance to burn your own physical artwork at the exhibition. And recently, holders of the “Great Expectations” NFT were able to claim an identical 1/1 signed print.

RTFKT x Nike X Takashi Murakami

RTFKT, is a digital fashion brand renowned for its virtual sneakers and exclusive collectibles. Collaborating with a diverse array of artists and brands, RTFKT stands at the forefront of reshaping digital ownership and the concept of virtual goods.

Last year, in a noteworthy collaboration with artist Takashi Murakami and footwear giant Nike, RTFKT unveiled a special collection. The highlight was a limited-edition Takashi Murakami AF1 sneaker.

This collaboration introduced two unique Nike Air Force 1 designs – “Murakami Drip” and “Murakami DNA” – as highly coveted digital collectibles. Owners of these NFTs had the opportunity to transform their virtual sneakers into real-life Murakami Air Force 1’s.

The release of the Murakami Air Force 1’s generated immense excitement. With just 3,815 physical pairs forged, the “Murakami Drips” rank among the most exclusive AF1 releases to date, currently fetching upwards of $1400 on StockX.

Though these sneakers stray from my usual all-black attire, I’m pretty proud to hold an official piece by Murakami.