British contemporary artist, and pioneer of the metaverse Philip Colbert announces his most advanced community project to date, “Lobstars”, a new collection of 7777 lobster portrait NFTs launching on The Lobstars as a ‘lucky dip’ on 18 March 2022.
Each unique “Lobstar” – not just a covetable artwork in Colbert’s hyper pop style – is a chance to become one of the 7777 Lobstar Citizens of his surreal metaverse. “Lobsteropolis City” is the largest art world on Decentraland, covering 57 parcels.
The gateway to Lobsteropolis citizenship, this collection of unique Lobster Portrait NFT’s are also Lobster ID cards and are an intrinsic part of what the artist intends to be the most innovative community art project in the metaverse. Of the 7777 “Lobstars,” the NFT rarity remains hidden until after purchase, ranging from ‘Every Day’ right through ‘Star,’ ‘Superstar’ and ‘Legendary’ to the rarest of all “Lobstars,” the ‘Masterpiece.’
Courtesy of Colbert Studio
I have always believed that artists create worlds, and being an artist today I have more creative possibilities to push this idea further than has ever been possible
Philip Colbert
As a lobster-loving project, merging digital and real worlds, Colbert Studio has partnered Lobstars with The National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall and the Whitby Lobster Hatchery in Whitby. For every “Lobstar” holder, research will be funded, and for each NFT sold hatcheries will be sponsored to release a real lobster into the wild, ensuring real time sustainable outputs with every digital interaction.
The Lobstars launch follows the new UK government declaration that lobsters, crabs, octopuses and related species will be included under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill. This paves the way for legal protection from practices like being boiled alive and having the tendons of their pincers cut. *
“The European lobster is a fascinating but vulnerable species, as its high value results in intense fishing pressure. The National Lobster Hatchery’s research and observations into their unique lifecycle, morphology, genetics and habits, continue to unearth new and exciting discoveries all the time. By releasing baby lobsters into the wild, the NLH aims to protect the long-term future of our vital marine food resources and help safeguard our rich coastal heritage.” – Clare Stanley, The National Lobster Hatchery
Colbert has spent the last 12 months working at a deep level with the Robotics development at University College London, as well as Dr. Kevin Scott at the St Abbs Marine Station to explore the intelligence of these iconic mystical clawed crustaceans which have held a prominent place in history for over 100,000 years.
Lobsters have appeared in menus and in symbolic ways throughout history, from the Moche people of Peru during the period between 50 CE and 800 CE to the Viking period. They have consistently been explored for their seeming immortality – shedding their entire exoskeleton through ‘molting’ as they grow and evolve into new forms. Research carried out through the Lobstars NFT funding will be fed back to the community through Discord and @thelobstars social media, but also will be manifested in future exhibitions and documentaries produced as part of the project.
Often referred to as the ‘godson of Andy Warhol,’ Colbert has created a global following for his cartoon Lobster alter ego. His energetic hyper pop expansive paintings, sculptures and collectibles have become something of an art phenomenon, populating museums and private collections worldwide. Throughout his work, Colbert explores the patterns of contemporary digital culture and its relationship to a deeper art historical dialogue – his digital and virtual projects are logical evolutions.
The minting of the “Lobstars” follows the opening of Lobsteropolis City in June 2021 – which was marked by an exhibition and auction at the Lobster Land Museum, curated and hosted by globally renowned art auctioneer and dealer Simon de Pury, a live DJ set at Lobster Land Records by legendary American New wave band DEVO, and a physical launch event at the Serpentine Gallery in London.
The Lobstars will be 0.1 – 0.2 ETH
Follow the socials @thelobstars
Join in the Discord at www.discord.gg/thelobstars
https://www.instagram.com/philipcolbert/
©2022 Philip Colbert
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