fxGems #9 ⏀ Top 58 Best Representational Projects from Dec. 2021 - Part II
The biggest month in fx(hash) history deserves its own two-parter to cover all of the amazing representational art that came out then, some of which you probably missed, because over 3600 other projects also dropped that month.
fxGems is curated by Haiver. Follow on Twitter and Mastodon for recommendations, and sign up for email notifications for when a new issue drops. To support the work, collect a copy of this issue on fx(text) or past issues, or consider minting one of my generative pieces on fx(hash).
At just over a year old, the history of fx(hash) is not very long, but it has quickly established itself as the largest platform for generative art on the blockchain. And the biggest month in fx(hash)'s brief time was, by far, December 2021.
Within thirty-one days, budding and established generative artists released 3622 new projects — that averages out to 116 new projects per day (compared to about 30-40 per day a year later)! If you were trying to collect at the time, it took a lot of effort to stay on top of it all. And to look back on that giant body of work even now is to get buried in a sea of projects.
One of the main goals of fxGems is to highlight generative art projects so they don't get lost in the never ending feed of new work. This is especially vital when it comes to smaller works and early-career artists. But little did I know, when I took on the task of curating the best projects from that December, that it would be one of the hardest things I did this year — over a hundred hours of work, tired eyes, and a constantly looming sense of decision fatigue.
But the amount of great art released in that brief time is inspiring to behold. It stands as a monument to the incredible new art movement we're a part of. So come with me as we explore the best art from the early days of fx(hash) — from projects you forgot even existed. Some real gems await!
It's important to note that fxGems is not a ranked list. One part of good curation is putting pieces in conversation with one another, so each numbered mint featured here has been carefully selected, then ordered into groups of twos and threes to create a dialogue between the different projects. There are juxtapositions and echoes, recurring themes and visual motifs. A thread has been woven throughout. How it draws you from one project to the next is up to you to find.
As always, this issue is available to view on fx(text), especially good for those animated pieces. And if you're looking for more recommendations, check out Part I of this list, the four part abstract Best of List, and the multiple issues gathering all of the many Honorable Mentions, covering December 2021.
Practical Instruments by Orr Kislev
Campbell's Soup Cans - Cluster by mocomatics
Damochki 2 by sasha_t
Circuits by Kali
(Land/Sea) Escape by AaG_
Zee by Lucas S. Reveil
Hash Effects by monokai
More Love by dddc
D.Betr is Thinking by 111v1ab
fx(cats) by griza
Ocular Chroma by cyflints
Windos by petStarChippy
Distant Views by Volatile Moods
Fireworks Island by TeNinEight
Lost Temple by GasparianTed
Unplanned_City_01 by João Salazar
Japan Pixels Mini Series: Sumo by grosgg
Batafuraiko by KilledByAPixel
Toad Terrarium by Geomi
Blue Toad by Casekimba
Zeus 450BC by smallfly
Unknown Monuments by Gen_Doodler
Minimum Viable Art {04:SDF} by Owen Moore
Fireflies and Flower Gardens by Diego Lazzarin
Creatures of the Deep #1 - The Jellyfish by rje99
Vulvator by Antti Pussinen
ℜ●𝖗𝕊⊂⧦▲𝕔𝖞 by guidoschmidt
Colorleaves by Aleksandra
🌱 Potted & Printed by Sam Tsao
fxGems is not affiliated with fx(hash) or fx(text) (hence the lack of parentheses), and none of the recommendations herein should be construed as financial advice. We’re here to celebrate the art!
Each month I go one by one through all of the projects that dropped on fx(hash) to find the strongest, most compelling work — generative art that has a unique voice, a wide variety across its many mints, and an intriguing approach to algorithms and technique.