All collector editions of Phantom Astronaut art are available as digital originals.

What is a Digital Original?

This is the master file the artist has created which is used to make all subsequent physical and digital reproductions. The digital original will always be of the highest resolution and contain security features not reproducible at lower fidelity.

Dimensions: Digital original dimensions would translate to between two and four diagonal meters if physically printed.

Watermarking: Digital originals are embedded with incredibly small watermarking features that can only be resolved when viewed at maximum size.

Provenance: Digital originals purchased on the blockchain from the artist's verified accounts are considered to have full provenance through virtue of the features of the original (i.e. watermarking, dimensions, etc) combined with chain of title established through the blockchain. Digital originals purchased offline are provided with signed and sealed documentation along with a description of the physical storage medium (e.g. serial number, make, model, etc). All editions in a set, both on-chain and off are considered part of the same set. An edition of 25 will only have 25 files issued collectively between purchases on-chain and off. Once all editions are sold any unused tokens across all blockchains are burned.

Pricing: Works are priced differently between on-chain (NFT) and off-chain. Because on-chain originals have smart contract provenance, an automatic royalty, and no physical medium, they are offered for sale at a lower price point than off-chain works. Off-chain works are priced at approximately 3x to 5x the on-chain list price plus a provenance fee of 5% and transfer to the buyer's preferred archival medium is at the buyer's expense.

Rights: Unless separately negotiated no copyright is transferred by purchase of a digital original edition and one archival master is always held by the artist for authorized lower resolution reproductions and to compare watermarking features of digital originals.

For off-chain purchases: originals@phantomastronaut.com

FAQ

Are NFTs Bad for the Environment?

The environmental impact of NFTs is relatively small compared to numerous other annual energy expenditures. For example, the Etherum blockchain uses ~26TWh per year including all activity not related to NFTs, the Tezos blockchain uses only ~0.00006TWh. For perspective, the paper industry uses ~1160TWh and video gaming has been said to consume ~107.4TWh annually. This doesn't mean that NFTs are "good" for the environment, but it does mean that their relative influence on global energy expenditures should be balanced against the entire industrial ecosystem.

Are NFTs a Scam?

No, not all NFTs are scams, but there are NFT scams. You should apply due diligence to any purchase you make. There are bad actors in every field and stock scams, multi-level marketing scams, and casino gambling scams exist to take advantage of people who are naive— NFT scams are no different. If you're a serious collector who wants to purchase an original digital work, an NFT can be an excellent purchase. If you're solely interested in a quick-turn financial instrument, you may wish to reconsider.

Why Not Just Sell the Physical Original?

My work is created digitally, no physical original exists. The digital original with provenance is the closest analog to a physical original.

Isn't a Physical Edition Better?

This is a personal choice, but there are misconceptions about how difficult it is to reproduce a physical work. With current technology many physical works can be reproduced with relative ease. Some argue that a physical work can be kept in the home and enjoyed. Collectors often store originals in secure, climate controlled, environments, and keep reproductions for personal use. As stated elsewhere, Phantom Astronaut art is created digitally, therefore no physical original exists and the only originals are digital originals.

If Your Work is Good Why Limit the Number of Buyers?

Artists have a complicated relationship with the economy, their work often being under-valued relative to other forms of labor. It's more economically viable to make collector sales while allowing a lower-priced or free version to be enjoyed by the public.

I Don't Like NFTs, But I Like Your Work

You can still purchase reproductions as posters, apparel, and other physical goods from my online store or enjoy the work for free online or at digital art events.

Aren't You Supporting the Super Rich by Using Blockchain?

There's no ethical consumption under capitalism. We all make compromises. Artists aren't unique or special in the way the market treats us. That said, you're always free to experience my work at no cost to you, so in that sense you can take some comfort in the knowledge that they've underwritten something that they had no creative input toward and that you and others are enjoying for free.