# Blacksquares

### In a nutshell

* Blacksquares are the Genesis NFTs of this project
* [Each Blacksquare is a video fragment](#the-creation)
* [Randomly generated](#the-creation) & **IPFS stored**
* 25 video fragments form one edition
* There are a total of 52+3 editions, i.e. **1,375 Blacksquares**
* Each edition depicts a motif, but is hidden underneath blackness
* The community [votes](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/voting-process) for each individual motif to be revealed or not
* If voted in favour, the respective edition will be assigned a random play date ([Illumination](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/illumination)) within the next 30 days
* When the play date occurs, the 25 blacksquares of the respective edition are played shortly and the underlying motif is briefly revealed
* Should the community decide against it, no new play date will be assigned to the respective edition and the underlying motif will be hidden forever, as a result no voting token of the respective edition will be distributed
* Blacksquare owners receive [$OBY ](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/usdoby-voting-utility-token)which can first be used for [voting](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/voting-process)
* To avoid unnecessary gas costs, all Blacksquares are **preminted**
* The community has decided against a Dutch Auction and in favour of a&#x20;

&#x20;                         **`FREE MINT`**                                   &#x20;

### **Detailed Description**

#### **The creation of Blacksquares**

Before I explain the process of creating my new Blacksquares in more detail, I would like to mention that every single one is handcrafted. This collection took months of work to complete.&#x20;

The starting point of the "Human Epic" collection consists of 52+3 motifs, whereas each individual motif is called edition. For each edition, a negative is first created and then exposed on light-sensitive photographic paper. The photo paper stock includes Kodak and Ilford photo paper, all of which are no longer commercially available.

![Photographic paper](https://1429833308-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkgJuUcaSEqnB498qLVEb%2Fuploads%2Ftp6OaNamSpSpPg0RxcXO%2FIMG_8696.png?alt=media\&token=ed96df42-84ce-4bdc-8ddb-46584c95a05c)

{% embed url="<https://twitter.com/i/status/1530209531761942535>" %}

As a result of the exposure to the sunlight the respective edition is visible in the positive on the photographic paper. This positive is not fixed and will continue to develop with further exposure to sunlight.

Each edition is then divided into 25 squares - with 55 editions this results in 1375 squares.&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://twitter.com/i/status/1530209599046950912>" %}

Subsequently, each square is sprinkled by hand using a drop of developer fluid - each single square - 1375 times. As the positive is not fixed, the impact of each drop, destroys and blackens the affected areas, turning every positive square into a Blacksquare. This process of destruction is random, generative and irreversible for each square. \
What is more generative than that?&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://twitter.com/i/status/1530209660493606914>" %}

As with my old black square, the underlying information is now hidden under blackness for all eternity.&#x20;

Everything that happens starting with the impact of the drop and ending with the blackening of the image is recorded so that this process of destruction can be reversed and the underlying image can be made visible again.

Each video is then encrypted and **stored on the Inter Planetary File System (IPFS),** individually assigned to its associated Blacksquare as an NFT. This marks the birth of the 1375 Blacksquares!&#x20;

{% embed url="<https://twitter.com/i/status/1530209704323981319>" %}

Since the analog originals were not fixed, they blacken over time and thus change as well. \
The analog originals will be auctioned at a later date.

![Edition\_03](https://1429833308-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkgJuUcaSEqnB498qLVEb%2Fuploads%2FEt9UaAfVqHT3RtugbTVd%2Fedition_03.jpeg?alt=media\&token=e6093db3-5c3f-4b05-8605-216a901f1f72)

#### **The revelation (illumination) of the motifs**&#x20;

Remember that each (of 52+3) edition consists of 25 Blacksquares, hiding one motif per edition.&#x20;

The motif only becomes visible when the corresponding and encrypted 25 videos are played.

However, this time cannot be selected freely by you, but is always automatically and randomly determined for each individual issue within a 30-day cycle. You can find out more about it here: [Illumination](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/illumination).

How this random date is determined and which other elements interact in this process is shown in the [Voting Process](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/voting-process).&#x20;

#### **The role of a Blacksquare**&#x20;

Blacksquares are the "Genesis NFTs" of this project and play a crucial role not only in the first inception, but also in the subsequent second one.

Blacksquares are **free to mint** for those who prove themselves worthy in our [Discord Community Forum](https://discord.com/invite/2MCZXvPmKc)!&#x20;

As a worthy member you have noticed that you are not only assigned a new role but also a number.&#x20;

This number indicates your Blacksquare's position in the respective issue. You are the owner of this Blacksquare and you represent it to the outside world. Note that you may represent more than just one Blacksquare!&#x20;

The following positions can be occupied:&#x20;

Edition 0:    :black\_large\_square:ᅵ 0.1 ,   :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 0.2 ,   :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 0.3 ,   :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 0.4 , ... ,   :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 0.25 \
\
Edition 1:    :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 1.1 ,   :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 1.2 ,    :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 1.3 ,    :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 1.4 , ... ,   :black\_large\_square:ᅵ 1.25 \
:\
:\
Edition 54: :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 54.1 , :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 54.2 , :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 54.3 , :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 54.4 , ... , :black\_large\_square: ᅵ 54.25

\
Here is an example for Edition 0:

![Example of numbering for Edition 0](https://1429833308-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FkgJuUcaSEqnB498qLVEb%2Fuploads%2FjUnPmuPhjPWDfVlmu69h%2FBlacksquare_numbers.png?alt=media\&token=c3012100-1981-47c1-9219-60c70ec5921a)

#### **The token distribution**

Each Blacksquare holder will receive [$OBY Voting Tokens](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/usdoby-voting-utility-token) during the time in which their Edition is assigned an Illumination date. More on that can be found here: [$OBY](https://blacksquare-1.gitbook.io/blacksquare/inception-one/usdoby-voting-utility-token).

#### **Mint of the Blacksquares**

One of the first crucial decisions were whether to auction the Blacksquares via Dutch auction or make them a free mint. **The majority of you decided in favour of a free mint.**
