Shaping the Study:

This exploration delves into the Aegean civilizations (Cycladic/ Minoan) and Mycenaean.

The Aegean communities of that era ca.(5300-1100BC) emerged as pioneers in decentralization, a phenomenon that goes beyond the artistic landscape. By investigating the Cycladic culture through social and technological lenses, I unravel the intricacies of their decentralized structures and trading networks with neighboring communities.

This exploration naturally leads me to draw parallels between the Neolithic, Early Cycladic I, II, III, Bronze Age, Geometric Period, and the contemporary 21st century.

This mythoplastic narrative weaves together seemingly disparate realms:

-Ancient Aegean civilizations like those discovered in Grottas, Naxos ca.(3200-3000 BC), Akrotiri,Santorini ca.(5000 – 1600 BC), Pilou, Milos ca.( 3500 – 2700 BC), Kefala, Kea ca.(4500 – 3000 BC), Markiani, Amorgos ca.(3200-2800 BC), Kastri, Syros ca.(2700-2300 BC), Skarkos, Ios ca.(2800 – 2700 BC), Daskalio, Keros ca.(2800– 2250 BC), Kinthou, Delos ca.(2500/2400 – 2200 BC) etc.

-The decentralized digital age with blockchain technology, AI and metaverses,

-The powerful vehicle of memes.

Each ancient Cycladic civilization functioned as a node, contributing to the creation of the first decentralized network—a pragmatic economy woven with services, goods, and art.

Leveraging their expertise and technology, these civilizations established a social and cultural network. Through exchange and trade, they ingeniously propagated their cultural memes in diverse forms and mediums, effectively creating a primitive database/ledger.

Fast forward to today, where the digital world operates in tandem with our physical existence. Rapidly evolving technologies, such as decentralized blockchain databases, the new internet (web3), and metaverse worlds, along with a myriad of AI algorithms and models, resonate with the spirit of the new digital era. From the inception of the first blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum to the advent of primitive AI tools in the last decade, we bear witness to the emergence of a new digital economy. This transformative landscape brings forth novel artistic mediums, cultures, trading networks, and virtual worlds, all interconnected through a more decentralized framework.

In my quest to forge a bridge between contemporary times and the ancient times, I employ the diachronic power of memes. Drawing inspiration from the most renowned meme figures of the Aegean—the Cycladic " FAF " (folded arm figurine)—discovered across various civilizations throughout the continent, I embark on the creation of a hybrid artefact.

This entails infusing these ancient figurines with the symbolic blockchain meme, Pepe the frog (Matt Furie, 2005).

Using the frog meme as a memetic link, I meticulously design and craft what I call the "meta"-FAF (Folded arm Frog) *the term meta-refers to metaverse.

These frog-face figurines seamlessly traverse both physical and digital kingdoms.

Tools and Techniques

Employing clay as the medium for the physical iterations and pixels for their digital counterparts, I've brought to life over 30 distinct frog figurines. Each one is dedicated to different Aegean islands, boasting varied shapes and forms inspired by the original FAF’s, found in different Cycladic islands and time periods.

The creation of folded arm frog figurines is a fusion of tradition and innovation.

Drawing inspiration from the minimalistic charm of original FAF’s, each figurine is meticulously hand-sculpted and refined with a sharp blade—a nod to the traditional methods of the Neolithic-Bronze age.

To infuse life into my creations, I employ stoneware clay and handcrafted glazes, firing them to cone 7.

A plethora of traditional techniques and mediums have been used for the creation of those artefacts. From traditional pre-homeric (neolithic 6000BC) methods on shaping, sculpting, polishing and firing.

Mixing of clays with rocks as well as reduction methods by incorporating manure and other organic materials.

Also more contemporary handmade glazes and firing in electric kiln have been used to create a variety of results in each of those artefacts.

Navigating Between Realities:

Every clay figurine comes with a high-tech clone—a digital 3D version securely stored on the blockchain as a cutting-edge NFT (non-fungible token).

Simply put, these figurines exist in both the physical and digital worlds. The clay figurine is equipped with a smart NFC microchip.

A magical link that effortlessly guides smartphone users to explore the fascinating 3D digital clone of the figurine.

This transporter guides curious onlookers who scan the figurine directly to its digital counterparts (NFT/ 3D asset- AR), ensuring a seamless transition. Compatible with both Android and iOS platforms, this amalgamation of art and technology opens a portal to explore the digital twins.

Trip to Hades/ Descent 1st, is a hybrid (digital/physical) and symbolic drop, a journey from the physical world to the depths of digital (blockchain).

This path (https://krkrkr.xyz/TTH-Anaskela) will lead you to the banks of the River Acheron, where the journey to the underworld begins.

"On a Greek island, there is an ancient cave forgotten by humanity’s memory.A place that the blockchain Gods used to gather and create timeless memes.The centuries passed, the world changed but a tangible memory still remains."

10 micro ceramic Cycladic idols forged by the blockchain alchemist (aleksy66/KRK/Phanes/kanenas), destined for those brave souls who are capable to Seize the Memes.

The participants have already received their physical coins (Charon's obol) {Charon's obol (coin) is an allusive term for the coin placed in or on the mouth of a dead person before burial, it served as a payment or bribe for Charon, the ferryman who conveyed souls across the river that divided the world of the living from the world of the dead. }

This unforgettable journey will take place in 3 phases, the first has ended.

Phase 1 : "Collect the digital obol- The transition)

Those coins are embedded with an NFC chip, allowing users to scan the coin and embark on a clandestine journey to mint its digital counterpart. This serves as a metaphorical bridge from the physical to the digital realm.

THE TECHNIQUES USED TO CRAFT THE CLAY AND PORCELAIN PHYSICAL COINS INCLUDES TRADITIONAL NEOLITHIC METHODS BACK FROM 6000 BC, INVOLVING FIRING IN AN OPEN PIT FIRE AT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 720-800 DEGREES CELSIUS, ADDITIONALY A REDUCTION METHOD EMPLOYING MANURE IS UTILIZED TO ACHIEVE A BLACK COLOR (great reference to shitposting)

THE FINAL RESULT OF THE PHYSICAL COINS COMPRISES 16 DIFFERENT TYPES (SYMBOLS), CRAFTED USING TWO DISTINCT TYPES OF CLAY (STONEWARE IN RED AND WHITE) AND PORCELAIN. THE LIGHT GREEN COLOR IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE USE OF SERPENTINE. EACH COIN FEATURES A UNIQUE SUPPLY NUMBER, RANGING FROM A MAXIMUM OF 7 TO A MINIMUM OF 1. THE STAMPS ON THE COINS ARE HANDMADE AND CRAFTED FROM PORCELAIN.

The digital Charon's obols serve as the digital replicas of their physical counterparts. Symbolizing the transition from the tangible realm to the digital abyss, akin to the myth of "Charon's obol," these coins echo an ancient Greek tradition.

Three of these symbolic obols have been immortalized on the Ethereum chain, minted from the physical coin holders. They embark on a symbolic journey, commencing from the physical world and traversing through Ethereum's mainnet, with the ultimate destination being the L2 on BASE chain. This journey marks their participation in the presale DROP "Folded Arm Frog/Cycladia/Trip to Hades/Descent 1st," capturing the essence of the transition from the tangible to the digital realm.

These journeyers must undertake a quest to collect their digital soul (3D asset NFT) and battle for their return to the physical world.

The boat's capacity is up to 45 frogs.The prophecy of blockchain gods says that only 10 frogs can be worthy of acquiring the Cycladic idols and return from the digital underworld.

The rest will be trapped down there for a time unknown.︎Those who don't make it back will have to wait until the next trip.

In each subsequent descent the difficulty level will increase, significantly reducing the chances of return, making it almost impossible.

Phase 2 : L2-BASE- Meet Hades- Retrieve your digital soul

Participants must obtain their digital soul "ticket" in order to proceed.

The aforementioned NFT will serve as the ultimate burn ticket during the final phase, enabling holders to claim the coveted 3D digital asset.

Collectors possessing these digital tokens will have the privilege of burning this ticket to mint the digital 3D asset in GLB format. Additionally, the fortunate first 10 unique wallet holders of this drop will have the chance to resurface from the digital abyss (blockchain), entitling them to acquire the physical Cycladia1 FAF.

As I write, the presale is drawing to a close. Any of the remaining 21 digital souls unclaimed will soon be made available to the public...

Stay tuned !

For more information you can contact :

mail: aleksysgul@gmail.com

X: @aleksy66