The project is a real-time animation that continuously communicates with the Bitcoin blockchain through the Ordinals protocol, using live blockchain data to generate ever-evolving animations. Inspired by the cycle of life and the adage "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" the work treats the Bitcoin blockchain as a living ecosystem that mirrors the transient nature of existence. This digital ecosystem evolves in response to the blockchain’s inherent rhythms, creating a visual metaphor for the impermanence and regeneration found in both nature and technology.
The state of the piece updates daily by retrieving time data directly from the Ordinals protocol. It continuously monitors the Bitcoin blockchain’s periodic events—such as the mining of new blocks, difficulty adjustments, and halving events—and evolves accordingly. These events are treated as moments of transformation, each influencing the animation in unique ways. The result is a dynamic, living artwork that embodies the eternal cycle of creation, decay, and renewal.
Blockchain Events Utilized in the Work: Blocks, Difficulty Adjustments and Halving
Blocks: Each new Bitcoin block subtly influences the animation, creating a visual representation of the data when a new block is produced. For example, every time a new block is mined, the animation responds with a subtle tilt. This tilt animation is a visual acknowledgment that the blockchain is a system that is alive and constantly in motion. This visual cue serves as a gentle nudge to the viewer, drawing their attention to the ongoing activity within the blockchain.
A demonstration of the visualization in the animation when a new block is mined.
Difficulty Adjustment: The animation also responds to the Bitcoin network’s difficulty adjustment, which occurs approximately every 2016 blocks. Each iteration of the animation has a 1/3 chance of incorporating a rare feature. If an iteration qualifies, then during every difficulty adjustment period, there is a 5% chance for the rare feature to manifest. If this rare feature occurs, the token's animation remains in that state permanently, creating a unique and lasting visual signature.
The demonstration of an iteration below showcase the behavior of the animation during difficulty adjustments. The first video captures an iteration with a true possibility of a rare feature, while the following videos show different future states to illustrate the 5% chance of the feature manifesting. These recordings highlight the unpredictability and rarity of these moments, emphasizing the unique nature of each iteration.
An iteration with the possibility of a rare feature, captured on February 10th, 2025, within the algorithm.
Captured in 10.04.2025 estimated by the algorithm
Captured in 10.09.2026 estimated by the algorithm
The same iteration, captured on January 1st, 2027, has manifested its rarity.
Halving: Starting from the origin time (2025-02-01) of the piece, each token gradually densifies, reaching a state of noise on the halving day. This densification represents the increasing complexity and intensity of the blockchain as it approaches a halving event. On the day after the halving, the token reverts to its original state, symbolizing a return to simplicity and the beginning of a new cycle. This process continues indefinitely, mirroring the cyclical nature of the Bitcoin network.
To visualize this transformation, five videos of the same iteration has been recorded to show its progression from the origin point to complete noise around the halving time. These recordings capture the gradual intensification of the animation, culminating in a chaotic, noisy state before it resets, offering a powerful visual metaphor for the cyclical nature of the blockchain.
Captured in 10.02.2025 estimated by the algorithm
Captured in 10.02.2026 estimated by the algorithm
Captured in 10.02.2027 estimated by the algorithm
Captured in 11.10.2028 estimated by the algorithm
Captured in 20.12.2028 estimated by the algorithm
Previewing the Future
Using a URL parameter, viewers can preview future states of the iteration. For example, appending ?date=2025-02-01 to the URL displays the origin point of a given iteration, while checking specific dates like 2028-12-20 (the approximate next halving day estimated by the algorithm) reveals the animation’s state at key intervals. This feature allows viewers to explore the animation’s evolution over time, providing a deeper understanding of how the piece responds to the blockchain’s periodic events.
Exploring Visual Features: A Spectrum of Possibilities
The animation also showcases a variety of visual features, each adding a unique layer to the piece. These features include Square Noise, Colored Highlight, Chromatic Aberration and RGB Delay. Each of these features contributes to the overall aesthetic of the piece, offering a diverse range of visual experiences.
To illustrate this diversity, various videos has been recorded to showcase different iterations of the animation, each highlighting one or more of these visual features. These recordings demonstrate the wide array of possibilities within the piece, showcasing how each iteration can be visually distinct while still adhering to the overarching theme of regeneration and decay.
Square Noise feature
Colored Highlight feature
Chromatic Aberration feature
RGB Delay feature
Conclusion: A Living Digital Ecosystem
This project is a living digital ecosystem that evolves in real-time, responding to the rhythms of the Bitcoin blockchain. By incorporating live blockchain data through the Ordinals protocol, the piece creates a dynamic interplay between technology, data and art, offering viewers a unique perspective on the transient nature of existence. Through its response to new blocks, difficulty adjustments, and halving events, the animation embodies the eternal cycle of creation and decay, reminding us that even in the digital realm, nothing is permanent.
