Behold - a Curated Collection by Steven Miller

Overview

Steven Miller proudly presents "Behold" - an engaging exploration of Perception, Subjectivity, and Connection. The independently curated collection of 508 Unique Generative Artworks, made in collaboration with Metablend Studios, was born from Miller's desire to express his thanks to the Artists, Collectors, Curators, and Other Patrons who supported his weekly practice of producing "Content as a Public Good." While deeply rooted in that sense of gratitude, the work was nurtured by the very same passion for Art Discovery that fueled Miller's first 2 Years of uplifting Artists and championing the Arts.

At first glance, "Behold" evokes a vague sense of familiarity and piques our inquisitive nature… but in a flash, that singular moment of shared curiosity gives way to a broad spectrum of personal backstories and individual experiences. On one hand, a bright-eyed observer might relate the composition and form to the intricacy of the human eye. While on the other, an Art Historian might liken the instinctive rush of wonder and the strikingly surreal, untethered void to the hallmarks of Romanticism, Liminalism and Geometric Abstraction. These two radically different perspectives view the work with varying levels of nuance, education, and experience — yet they are equally justified. After all, it's only by coming to recognize both our shared experiences and our differences that we come to refine how we interpret and understand the beauty within any work of art.

The following pages contextualize foundational components of "Behold,", including its origin story, underlying concepts, processes, visual characteristics, credit attribution, and even display considerations. Just as the collection is inscribed on the Bitcoin Blockchain, this documentation is also permanently etched on-chain, serving as a comprehensive archival resource for both Collectors and Curators alike while ensuring every aspect of the collection is preserved in its entirety.

Artistic Vision and Conceptual Framework

In this section, we'll explore the collection's creative and intellectual foundation to help viewers understand not just what they see, but why it matters. By outlining the core ideas and inspirations, we highlight the work's artistic significance beyond its technical innovation.

Core Concepts

While deeply rooted in gratitude and nurtured by a passion for Art Discovery, "Behold" is an engaging exploration of Perception, Subjectivity, and Connection.

When it comes to Perception, what we see depends on what we look for…and Art is a catalyst that can open our eyes. Art helps us see others, just as it allows us to see ourselves. Art opens our eyes to see what others can't, just as it shows us how to see through illusions of our own making. Art is the key to seeing what can't be said and what can only be felt. As Perception relates to "Behold", the question becomes, "what will you see?"

That, of course, is what leads us to the role of Subjectivity. The collection emphasizes how deeply personal the art experience is, with each viewer bringing a unique perspective to the work. As it relates to "Behold", a single piece may appear entirely different to various observers. What some may see an eye, others may see a donut; but as soon as you interact with the artwork, you may see something else entirely. This personal experience is further enriched by the collection's incorporation of Sacred Geometry and recurring patterns that subconsciously connect viewers to nature, art history, and even the cyclical processes of creation, transformation, and renewal.

Only after considering the roles of Perception and Subjectivity are we able to arrive at the final search: for that of Human Connection. Consider for a moment the shape itself — the Torus symbolizes humanity's cyclical patterns of introspection and renewal while highlighting the intersection between our inner experiences and external realities. This symbolic element encourages viewers to contemplate how relationships develop. Whether they take shape through pure altruism or reciprocal exchange, it's a reflection that can deepen the connection between viewer and artist.

Through this thoughtful exploration of how we see, interpret, and connect, "Behold" transforms the viewing experience from passive observation to active participation, extending interpretation beyond personal experience to create a shared artistic dialogue.

Inspiration, Influence and Intent

"Behold" represents a convergence of art history, contemporary cultural movements, and deeply personal artistic motivations. Drawing from multiple artistic traditions, the collection positions itself within a lineage of work that explores perception and consciousness through abstract forms.

From its aesthetics to conceptual foundations, the collection is firmly anchored by an implied reverence for the contemporaries of Generative Art including the likes of Erick Calderon, Jeff Davis, Piter Pasma, Jimena Buena Vida, Melissa Wiederrecht and Emily Xie. This contemporary influence is balanced by thoughtful engagement with 20th Century Abstraction, particularly Kandinsky's dualities, Hilma af Klint's metaphysical symbolism, Magritte's examination of the threshold between perception and reality (see "The False Mirror" by René Magritte), and Pollock's emotional expressionism through non-representational techniques.

Perhaps most significantly, the collection functions as a deeply personal artistic cartography, intentionally referencing 60 Contemporary Tokenized Art Collections that have profoundly impacted the creative vision of the project. This curatorial gesture transforms the collection into both a creative statement and an autobiographical document — a visual acknowledgment of artistic lineage and the transformative power of aesthetic encounters. Through these references, "Behold" invites viewers to consider not only their own relationship to the work but also to trace the constellation of influences that shape artistic vision and practice.

Curator's Statement on Technical Innovation

Aspiring to raise the experiential bar for Generative Art on Bitcoin, "Behold" set out to enhance the artistic dialogue by debuting a built-in Parametric Composer as part of its generative algorithm. While systems of this nature are not conceptually novel (see "QQL" by Tyler Hobbs and Dandelion Mané), it does signify the first time that Parametric Co-Curation Tooling has been deployed on Bitcoin.

Perhaps most significantly, this decision also introduced a new take on the democratization of the creative process by reincorporating the Parametric Composer as an integral component of the artwork even after the work has been inscribed. This decision positions the art not as a static object but as a dynamic relationship, dissolving traditional boundaries between artist and audience by enabling collectors to continue to explore the algorithm's range over time. Through these thoughtful implementations, "Behold" demonstrates how technical advancement can serve artistic expression rather than supplant it, creating works that engage with both technological possibilities and enduring questions about perception, creativity, and collaboration.

Aesthetics and Visual Language

Through deliberate aesthetic choices, "Behold" establishes a distinctive identity while creating space for meaningful variation and interpretation. The overarching visual language represents a carefully orchestrated synthesis of form, color, and composition that reinforces its intended exploration of Perception and Subjectivity. The following subsections examine the formal elements that define the collection's visual vocabulary and situates these choices within broader artistic traditions.

Visual Signature

"Behold" greets its audience with a torus formation that anchors each composition, creating an immediately recognizable and striking visual signature which is carried throughout the collection. Its central void, often suggesting an eye or aperture, serves as both focal point and meditative center, while its surrounding elements — featuring intricate motion, color blending transitions, and layered transparencies — create tension between negative space and complex detail. By balancing mathematical precision with organic fluidity, the collection employs a rich interplay of texture, depth, and luminosity that rewards both immediate perception and sustained viewership. This thoughtful approach ensures each of the 508 Unique Outputs maintains a cohesive relationship with the collection while expressing its own individual character.

Implied References

From its very first output, "Behold" establishes reverent connections to the past, subtly referencing historical creative movements while maintaining its own contemporary identity. Each circular composition invokes sacred geometries that can be found across cultures, while the interplay between light and dark introduces dramatic chiaroscuro techniques often found in Baroque painting. At the same time, the collection's eye-like formations create an unmistakable dialogue with René Magritte's "The False Mirror," reinterpreting its meditation on perception through the digital medium, while the atmospheric qualities and emotional depth allude to the sublime scenes crafted by the pioneers of romanticism who ventured into abstraction — creating a bridge between traditional artistic inquiry and the world of aesthetic possibilities known to Generative Art.

Color Theory and Palettes

"Behold" demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of chromatic relationships, utilizing the full dynamic spectrum that ranges from ethereal luminescence to intense darkness. Each output employs carefully calibrated palettes, creating aesthetic diversity across the collection by selectively introducing harmony and tension within the compositions. From recurring cosmic motifs that evoke both introspection to the warm amber hues and gold accents that suggest a semblance of revelation, each palette is distinctly devised to create visual depth and dimensional complexity. Most significantly, the color choices support the conceptual framework of the collection by influencing perception —sometimes drawing the viewer's attention inward toward the void of the toroidal aperture, while at others, radiating outward as an expression of expansion — thereby strengthening the overarching narrative of exploring subjective experiences and the variability of perception.

Composition

Centering focus firmly on the Torus, the striking visual anchor of the series introduces a source of boundless variation through its interspatial relationships. This organizing principle establishes a consistent focal point that draws the viewer's gaze, while the otherworldly particle field introduces depth and harmony by distributing visual weight. This approach creates a body of work that feels both intuitively structured and organic, inviting viewers to engage in sustained contemplation that reveals new relationships with each viewing.

Creating Balance Between Consistency and Variation

Despite maintaining its consistent structure, "Behold" introduces meaningful variation through color diversity, multifaceted distortions, and pre-programmed viewing angles to create a distinct personality for each piece while preserving its sense of identity in the collection. The Parametric Composer furthers this by encouraging the viewer to explore the algorithm and otherwise fine-tune their experience. This approach rewards both exploration and comparison, revealing how subtle variations can produce different emotional responses while maintaining a coherent artistic vision.

Creator Profiles

"Behold" is a collaborative Generative Art Collection presented by Steven Miller and the Team at Metablend Studios [Heavy D & RabbiGains].

About Steven Miller

Steven Miller is a Strategic Art Advisor and Independent Curator who has emerged as a one of Tokenized Art's foremost advocates. After transitioning from a successful career in SaaS Entrepreneurship and Brand Identity Consulting, Miller has leveraged his acumen to become a champion for Artists in Web3.

Since 2023, the self-proclaimed "Leading Non-Financial Advisor" of Tokenized Art has become an indispensable resource for collectors and creators alike. In 2024, his weekly digest – All Eyes on Art – provided comprehensive coverage of nearly 1,800 Releases, with a particular focus on highlighting Emerging Artists. In addition to his weekly publication, Miller's recurring interview series – Color Commentary – showcased over 136 Guest Appearances in its breakout first year. With his multifaceted approach – combining strategic insight, community engagement, and a passion for Digital Art – and having curated exhibitions in Nashville, Miami, Paris, Arizona, and even the Metaverse, Miller is positioned as one of the leaders actively shaping how we discover, understand, and appreciate art in the Digital Age.

About Metablend Studios

Metablend Studios represents the convergence of artistry and innovation on the Bitcoin Blockchain. Founded and led by HeavyD, a multidisciplinary Digital Artist & Creative Director, and RabbiGains, a pioneering Backend Developer & Blockchain Infrastructure Engineer, the studio specializes in Generative Art, AR-ready Collections, and Novel Recursive Development, embodying a seamless fusion of creative vision and technical ingenuity that has earned them a reputation for pushing boundaries and crafting nuanced digital legacies.

As tenured creatives in the algorithmic age, Metablend Studios partners with forward-thinking creators to craft innovative, blockchain-based masterpieces. Their unique positioning has demonstrated that creative coding can inspire human connection, transcend materialism, and influence culture, allowing them to leave an indelible mark on Bitcoin's cultural landscape while providing the highest standard of white glove support to their clients.

Contact Information

Steven Miller

Connect on X: @SteveMiller_PHX

Official Website: https://digitalart.work

Metablend Studios

Connect on X: @metablends

Official Website: https://metablendstudios.com

Collector's Glossary + Additional Resources

Glossary

In the interest of educating viewers and helping them to see the collection for all its artistic and technical merits, we've prepared this list of collection-specific terminology with clear definitions.

Analogous (Color Scheme): Palettes that use colors that are adjacent to each other on the color wheel, creating a harmonious and cohesive look.

Aperture: The width measurement of the void or "empty gap" at the center of a Torus.

Bloom: A shader effect used in graphic rendering to produce fringes (or feathers) of light extending beyond the borders of bright areas in an image, contributing to the illusion of an extremely bright light overwhelming the scene. (NOTE: Bloom has also been referred to as Light Bloom or Glow).

Chromatic Aberration: A common optical color distortion that results in the emergence of stray colors where the edges of objects appear to have colored outlines. The distortion happens when a lens or optical system can't focus all colors of light at the same point, causing a blur or "color fringing" effect along edges.

Color Mix: The practice of combining different colors to create new colors. Because some colors absorb certain light wavelengths, color mixing often results in a new color that reflects the remaining wavelengths. When mixing with light, colors are added together (Additive Color Mixing aka RGB Mixing), while with pigments, colors are subtracted (Subtractive Color Mixing aka CMYK Mixing). With the emergence of Color Printing, mixing practices began leaning toward the subtractive CMYK Model which utilizes Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black), which was found to be the combination that yielded the most accurate color reproduction.

Color Theory: The study of how colors interact, mix, and create visual effects. This includes concepts like the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Colors as well as principles of chromatic harmony, which helps Artists create balanced aesthetics.

Complimentary (Color Scheme): Palettes that use colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel, creating a strong contrast and visual impact.

Distortion: Any intentional alteration of the shape, appearance, or visual character of a form or subject to enhance visual impact and create more dreamlike aesthetics.

Duality: The exploration and representation of opposing or contrasting elements within a work of art, often highlighting their interconnectedness and the complexities of human experience. Duality in art often involves showcasing contrasting elements like light and shadow, good and evil, or order and chaos. Artists use duality to delve into the multifaceted nature of reality, emotions, and human nature, suggesting that things are rarely simple or black and white.

Emotional Expressionism: An artistic style that focuses on conveying the artist's feelings and subjective experiences, rather than replicating reality, by using distorted forms, vibrant colors, and strong brushstrokes to evoke a specific emotional response.

Generative Art: Art that emerges from a defined computational process, such as a set of natural language rules, an algorithm, or other procedural invention, which is given some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a completed artwork.

Generative Art (Long-Form): Art made by a code-based system that is not expressly curated by the Artist who architected the system. Rather, the Artist creates the system and allows for each visual output to be uniquely and randomly seeded.

Generative Art (Short-Form): Art made by a code-based system that is subsequently curated by the Artist who architected the system, a Professional Curator, or another third-party who utilizes specific parametric determinism to preselect the visual outputs as opposed to placing trust in randomness.

Generative Art (Parametric Co-Curation): Art made by a code-based system that is not expressly curated by the Artist who architected the system. Rather, the Artist who creates the system invites collectors and fellow patrons to manually experiment within an interactive User Interface with a defined set of parameters prior to selectively curating their own visual outputs into the final on-chain collection.

Geometric Abstraction: An artistic style that uses geometric shapes, lines, and forms to create compositions that do not represent real-world objects or scenes, focusing instead on abstract forms and their relationships.

Liminalism: An artistic style that focuses on stripping away excess elements to reveal the essence of an artwork, often invoking transitory or in-between environments to show the threshold between possibility and realization. Not unlike Minimalism, liminality prioritizes simplifying presentation above personal expression.

Metaphysical Symbolism: The artistic style that explores ideas and concepts beyond the physical world, using imagery and symbolism to evoke a sense of the mysterious and the unseen, often exploring themes of reality, existence, and the human condition. (NOTE: Metaphysical Symbolism is also known as "Pittura Metafisica," and was a precursory influence in the development of Surrealism.)

Monochromatic (Color Scheme): Palettes that use variations of a single color, like different shades, tints, and tones of the same hue, creating a cohesive and unified look. Unlike other color schemes, monochromatic palettes often lack contrast and may be less visually stimulating compared to others.

On-Chain: Proof that the Artwork, Underlying Code, and its Ownership Record are verified and permanently stored on a Layer-1 Blockchain.

Parametric Composer: A visual interface that allows a viewer to loosely shape the aesthetic of an algorithmic artwork based on specific parameters like color characteristics or visual manipulations. Manual processes of selection like those found in Parametric Composers invite participation and demonstrate the versatility of an algorithm.

Perceptual Fusion: An optical illusion that occurs when a three-dimensional form is spun at a high rate of speed, resulting in human brain perceiving it as a different shape. For example, when spinning a torus above 3,000 RPM, the viewer will perceive it as a sphere because the human eye will no longer track the center point of the torus.

Romanticism: An artistic style that emphasizes emotion and subjective experience, evoking feelings and ideas through shapes, colors, and textures that take on non-representational forms, as opposed to depicting real-world objects.

Sages: Individuals who hold the most exclusive curated artworks from the "Behold" Collection. Sages were inscribed on Black Uncommon Sats, they feature an exclusive Resonance Setting, and each piece was personally curated by the Collection's Curator, Steven Miller. The Sages are a carefully curated group of individuals who have made a significant impact on the Curator in their own way.

Split-Complementary (Color Scheme): Palettes with a base color and the two colors adjacent to its direct complement on the color wheel.

Surrealism: A style that explores the unconscious mind by depicting illogical or dreamlike scenes and ideas, often with unexpected juxtapositions and symbolic imagery.

Temporal Distortion: The manipulation or alteration of the flow of time within a narrative or artwork, most often creating a non-linear progression of events or a fragmented presentation of experiences.

Torus: A three-dimensional ring or donut shape, formed by rotating a circle around an axis that lies in the same plane as the circle but doesn't intersect it.

Triadic (Color Scheme): Palettes with three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel – typically a dominant color plus two supporting colors – forming an equilateral triangle when connected and creating a vibrant, harmonious visual effect.

Long-Term Preservation and Stewardship

To maintain the integrity of code-based Art Collections like "Behold,", Collectors should consider assuming the role of a Steward over the work. While it is by no means a requirement of Ownership, Collectors should regularly validate the functionality of their assets as technology evolves, maintain offline copies of the underlying code, and establish clear off-chain provenance records that document the artwork's exhibition history, curatorial attestation, and ownership transfers.

Ownership Rights and Privileges

All Beholders receive secure Ownership Rights via on-chain verification. These rights establish a connection to the work, define Ownership of the Unique Inscription, convey Non-Commercial Display Rights across all Digital Platforms & Physical Spaces, grant Transfer Rights allowing you to trade your Unique Inscription, and provide access to High-Resolution Files for Non-Commercial Display. Your acquisition includes select privileges beyond Ownership Rights, including priority consideration for future releases and Display Support. That said, while you own the Artwork, the Collection's Creators retain their Copyright over the underlying code and artistic expression.

Collection Credits

Project Direction:

Visual Curation:

Written Curation:

Creative Coding:

UI Development:

Data Architecture:

Date of Inscription:

Date of Sale:

Steven Miller

Steven Miller

Steven Miller

Heavy D [Metablend Studios]

Heavy D [Metablend Studios]

RabbiGains [Metablend Studios]

March 25th, 2025

March 27th, 2025

Special Thanks

Meghan Miller

Larry & Adrienne Miller

Larry Miller Jr.

John & Karen Reen

Aeons

Alejandro Cartagena

Alex Kittoe

Alimo

Amanda (akaSteveyy)

Astam Cloud

Billy Restey

Blondie

Blutoshi

Boona

BoozyBTC

Brett Herskope

Brian Laughlin (Bruffstar)

Brrrbon

Bryan Brinkman

Chikai Ohazama

Chip

Chris Cummings

ClownVamp

Coldie

Conquistador

CraigO Crypto

CVR

Daniel Koeth

dbrizzle

Delta Sauce

Dennis (DenimBTC)

Desultor

Devon & Durkle

DocT

Donny Clutterbuck

DrCrypto

Efdot

Eka Lestienne

Elmo Savés

Emily Xie

English

Eric "Blessed" Nelson

Erick "Snowfro" Calderon

Erin Redwing

Flame

Francisco "FAR" Alarcon

Gabe Weis

Gadfly

Gerard Fernandez

GoodThings

Harvey Rayner

Heavy D

Holly Wrench

Jalapeńo Pete

Jared Poz

Jeff G. Davis

JG Scribe

Jimena Buena Vida

Jiurn

Josie Bellini

Kanetix

Kayvon "KG" Ghaffari

Knox

Lucho Polletti

Luke Wright

Mark Wilson (DWTML)

Matt Medved

CyberSea

MLow

Natasha Chomko

Nathan Cornes

NiceDayJules

Nick Sainato

OG Crooked West

Other World

OTO

Paper Buddha

Patrick Amadon

Pawel Dudko

Per Kristian Stoveland

Peter Noteman

Pindar Van Arman

Piter Pasma

PolyMath

Proper

Pryzm

RabbiGains

Rare Scrilla

Rax

RDtotheMoon

Rebecca Rose

Remnynt

Monkey

RG

Richard Carthon

Rick Manelius

Roger Dickerman

Rupture

Ryan Koopmans

SethDub

Shabbat.eth

Shawnuff

Shibboleth

Snooptoshi

Speedracer

Steven Morse

Studio Paiman

Teflon Musk

The Artist

The Daily Alpha

Travis Leroy Southworth

Troy Caylak

Vasia Makris

Vinnie Hager

Whitters

Zeneca