Certificate of Authenticity
Mat Collishaw
CANTHARIDIN
NFT
Unlockable reward
Description

Evolution has designed a simplified interface through which we perceive reality, the criteria being to understand reality not fully but just sufficiently to survive, procreate and raise our offspring. There is no better example of this than the male Jewel Beetle, which frequently attempts to mate with a beer bottle in preference to a female. The Beetles' 'interface' is perennially searching for a glossy, golden and dimpled partner, criteria met perfectly by this particular vessel. A consequence of this perception failure has been to damage reproduction rates and put the survival of the species in jeopardy.

Although humans have more sophisticated perception, we are still prone to misdirection and therefore vulnerable to manipulation. This is something that has been exploited for centuries by religious iconography, political propaganda and advertising. Digital technology takes the misdirection to new realms, with slick, shiny smartphones that provide a new porthole into a world of artfully manipulative content.

Collector reward
The first collector of the NFT will receive:

Cantharidin
Unique C-Type Print
2022
60 X 33.3cm (23.6" X 13.1")
Signed by the Artist

Details
Production year
2022
Object type
NFT
Dimensions
1080 × 1920 px
Asset type
MP4
Duration
0:41 min
Minted on
Verisart
Blockchain
Ethereum
Contract address
Token ID
Certificate of Authenticity
Our patented certificates are designed to evolve over time, unlike paper certificates. All changes to the certificate are registered on the blockchain, proving a clear and trusted timeline of the certificate’s evolution.
Verified issuer
Creator authorized
Physical link
Created by
Mat Collishaw, 1966
Signed by
Certificate Signature
Issued by
Mat Collishaw
Owned by
Private
History
Transferred
Feb 10 2022 23:33:45 UTC
Transferred
Jan 21 2022 13:03:18 UTC
Created
Jan 21 2022 12:48:23 UTC
Traits
evoloution
art
VerisartCertified
beetles
technology
perception
Notes
Notes from Creator
This artwork is one of numerous works I've created that attempts to deal with our increasing immersion in digital technology. Like most people I benefit from and get a lot of fun out of digital media but there are consequences. Technology companies are progressively more pernicious in their utilisation of new devices and their associated software. The weaponisation of information, data harvesting, dark ops, cybots, deep fakes, online bullying are just a few of the malign manifestations of this new media. This is coupled with ever mores sophisticated algorithms that are designed to monitor and understand us before hijacking our psychological vulnerabilities. The artworks I make strive to deal with the beauty and sophistication of new media laced with a certain apprehension of where it may be taking us.