Because they have spent so much time at home over the past year, many people are eager for a change in their environment.
But if a coat of paint or creative renovations fail to do so, there is now a more extreme alternative: the digital home.
NFTs have recently made headlines so that digital art and other ideas such as drawings or music can be sold online.
An NFT is a unique digital sign that effectively verifies authenticity and ownership. It is encrypted with the artist’s signature on the blockchain, a digital ledger used in cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin.
The NFT digital Mars House sold for more than $ 500,000. Credit: Thanks to Krista Kim
The new owner paid digital artist Krista Kim 288 Ether – a crypto-currency equivalent to $ 514,557.79 – for the virtual property.
In return, the buyer will receive 3D files to upload to his or her “Metaverse”.
Metaverse is a virtual extension of our world, Kim told CNN on Tuesday where sites are buying and trading virtual land, and digital homes and businesses are being built.
There is a market for digital assets like fashion and accessories, and users can live and interact in a Metaverse through their digital avatar.
Kim said the concept behind the house “was inspired by being locked up during the pandemic”.
Describing herself as a “Techism artist”, Kim told CNN: “Mars House represents the next generation of NFTs. It’s a sign of things to come as we enter a future AR (augmented reality) interface , with the introduction of Apple AR glasses and AR contact lenses.
“Art, NFTs, cryptocurrencies … these comprehensive changes and ideas about how we are going to live with digital assets are becoming a reality and will create a global paradigm shift.
“After being restricted due to Covid-19, we need more innovative ideas on how our interior environments can heal us, as mental health has become a primary issue for everyone.”
Artist Kim said the Mars House represents ‘the next generation of NFTs’. Credit: Thanks to Krista Kim
The artist said she created a calming musical accompaniment with musician Jeff Schroeder of The Smashing Pumpkins.
Record month for NFTs
The sale was done last week, contributing to a record-breaking month for NFTs.
The first NFT artwork to sell for an incredible $ 69 million on March 11 positioned artist Beeple near the top of the most expensive living artists to date.
And Gucci has launched sales of digital shoes only that cost hundreds of dollars below what their physical shoes normally sell.