If you don’t know what non-fungible tokens are, it is time to catch up with Old Boy Portchie (Jan Hendrick Viljoen 1981), who has recently entered the burgeoning world of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with a digitally generated canvas art collection called ‘Cycling by the Riverside’.
This Stellenbosch-based visual artist who is known for his use of vibrant colours in art, believes the world of crypto art provides new opportunities for both artists and collectors and says it is a fresh way to think about producing, purchasing, and auctioning art.
Portchie created multiple painted elements and then worked with creative technologists Renier Kriel and Konstand Spies to create a collection of unique NFTs. In the process some of these elements are chosen and placed in the scene through weighted random selection. When you buy one of Portchie’s Cycling by the Riverside NFTs, you will be the verified owner of the creation on the blockchain.
Cycling by the Riverside is available on the Ethereum network, a blockchain that allows artwork creation and ownership to be authenticated and transferred. The NFTs are represented by unique tokens stored on the network and act as a permanent, tamper-proof record of provenance and ownership. This adds intrinsic blockchain-backed value and makes its scarcity provable.
To buy one of the NFTs you will need the digital currency, or cryptocurrency, native to Ethereum called Ether (or ETH). Every user of the Ethereum blockchain needs to have an Ethereum wallet with some Eth in to use to transact. Your wallet is where your ETH and your NFTs are stored securely.
To buy your first NFT, you will need to set up a MetaMask Web3 wallet. Download the MetaMask iOS or Android app. Open the app and set up your account and security features. Deposit your cryptocurrency and you will be ready. For a detailed ‘How To’ Guide, click here.
Once your wallet is set up, simply head on over to https://opensea.io/collection/portchie-cycling-by-the-riverside, connect your wallet, and buy an NFT that is for sale or make an offer for one you like. You will now be the owner of one or more unique Cycling by the Riverside NFT collectables!
