Elysian Depths – the NFT Project

In August of 2020, Michael Binkley was approached by Momentable.art to create an NFT (non fungible token) digital sculpture collection. This was during a time when the ecosystem of blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFTs were all the rage, but also when the world was being paralyzed by COVID-19. The Pandemic affected Binkley in many ways – both personally and businesswise.

Binkley had just opened his new studio and gallery in Squamish, BC, Canada when the Pandemic hit and like so many other businesses that declined, Michael’s stone sculpture sales were negatively impacted. Having limited in-person gallery visitors meant Binkley had to adapt to the new paradigm and he responded by re-thinking how to be creative in ways different from stone carving.

Exploring New Creative Directions

One new direction that Binkley took was to accelerate his knowledge and creativity in the virtual sculpting space. Out of this was born his very first NFT project called Elysian Depths. Elysian is from ancient Greek, meaning heaven or paradise.

Binkley created a collection of ten different virtual sculptures as a metaphor for the change he experienced during COVID. He had to adapt and transform his creative path and business model, and these compositions reflect that. Binkley’s favourite subject for his art works is the female nude, and he has had a life long love of the ocean; it’s wondrous power and movement and the creatures that inhabit it. Drawing on these loves, Binkley created Elysian Depths which is a series of women who are transforming into sea creatures.

There are ten different sculptures that Binkley sculpted in virtual space using a computer program called ZBrush. Once the compositions were completed, the very talented Juan Murphy of One More Poly in the UK was tasked with painting each sculpture with four different textures, thus creating 40 different sculptures in the collection. Then Michelle Binkley generated the titles and descriptions of each piece, giving them context. This collaboration between artists was much welcomed by Binkley as it has resulted in a stunning depiction of each sculpture, and a testament to how  synergy between great creative minds can produce incredible art works.

The first set, or Tier of each sculpture is painted to resemble sandstone with the animal parts painted as they would appear in nature. The second Tier figures are painted to resemble limestone and the animal parts appear to made of bronze. The third Tier figures are painted to look like fine, polished marble and the animal parts look like gold leaf. The fourth Tier figures appear to be made of sold gold.

When the NFT market recovers, Momentable.art will offer these stunning virtual sculptures for purchase with cryptocurrency, but for now, you can enjoy viewing the collection with these select images.

Amid the boundless embrace of the deep blue, emerges a world of tales as old as time—stories spun from the very fabric of the ocean’s soul, weaving an intricate tapestry of dreams, desires, and destinies. This is a realm where legends come to life, where each ripple on the surface hides a myriad of secrets waiting to be unveiled.

Submerged beneath the waves, lie tales of undying spirits, resilience, and the transformative power of nature. These narratives aren’t written on parchment but are sketched on the canvas of the ocean, painted with the vibrant hues of marine life, the haunting melodies of whale songs, and the mysteries embraced by the heart of the abyss.

Each piece in this collection transports the observer into the depths, allowing one to feel the gentle caress of currents, hear the whispered legends of ancient mariners, and witness the ballet of life that dances in the watery shadows. They are not just artworks; they are portals, beckoning us to dive deeper, to explore the uncharted territories of our own souls, and to embark on our own odysseys of discovery and transformation.

The power of the ocean is unmatched in its ability to inspire, heal, and transform. It reminds us of the vastness of our world and the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. Yet, amidst its grandeur and majesty, it also whispers intimate tales of love, sacrifice, and endurance. These artworks are but fragments of those tales, crystallized moments that capture the essence of our shared human journey—a journey marked by challenges, change, and the unyielding spirit to forge ahead.

As you immerse yourself in this collection, let the waves of emotion crash over you, let the tides of inspiration pull you in, and let the siren call of the deep resonate within. For in the heart of the ocean, we find not just stories of marine wonders but reflections of our own deepest hopes, fears, and dreams. This is an invitation to embark on an unparalleled journey, to lose oneself and find oneself again in elysian depths.