Alternative Art Meme: Why Is There Consensus and Value?

Author: David Park

Translation: Deep Tide TechFlow

Abstract

Two months ago, we observed an artist on X named @SHL0MS who took an unconventional approach by releasing a nameless token, as detailed in "Blowing Up Luxury Cars and Issuing 'Blank' Coins: Why Are Memes Becoming More Abstract?."

At that time, the market cap of the blank token was only 1M, but amid the AI Agent craze, the price of this alternative abstract Meme has fluctuated and now stands at 78M CA: 9qriMjPPAJTMCtfQnz7Mo9BsV2jAWTr2ff7yc3JWpump.

During the development of this Meme, two accounts related to deities and the demon Satan, @god and @s8n, were associated with it, adding more mythological color to this abstract Meme.

Why does alternative art Meme have consensus and value? This article may provide a deep observational perspective.

Main Content:

Conceptual artist @SHL0MS has been challenging our traditional notions of value, authenticity, and meaning. Among his past works, the most famous is perhaps the destruction of a Lamborghini and selling its fragments as NFTs, an act that broke collectors' understanding of "art" and the prices they were willing to pay. However, his latest work, the "nothing" project, delves even deeper into the unknown realms of concept. This project offers a true sense of "nothing"—no images, no utility, no clear benefits, aimed at deliberately testing the tension of narrative, hype, and collective belief in a market reliant on digital scarcity and storytelling power.

Rather than tokenizing items or images, the "nothing" project tokenizes a kind of absence. Here, there are no perceivable spectacular scenes—no vivid artworks, no intricate details, and no explosive imagery. This prompts reflection on a core paradox in the crypto space: does value come from the intrinsic qualities of the product itself, or from the stories and status we assign to it?

This idea is not entirely new. There have been attempts in traditional art history to question the value and systems of art. But the uniqueness of the "nothing" project lies in its crypto environment, driven by Meme economics and narrative dissemination. By introducing the philosophical "nothing" into the blockchain, it also explores the unique feedback loop between internet Memes and crypto speculation—both relying on collective humor, shared values, and public participation.

The involvement of @NousResearch ensures that the "nothing" project is not just a Meme, but a multi-layered thought experiment, social commentary, and AI-initiated participatory performance art. The void here becomes a prism through which we can examine cultural illusions. It may even become a form of religion.

Twitter characters like @god and @s8n add mythological elements, becoming "deities" of the digital age. In the dialogue between the sacred and the demonic, it evokes a fable-like feeling. "Nothing" becomes a stage for existential discussions—creation and destruction, meaning and meaninglessness—all played out in the public forum we gather in.

Memes can transform any symbol into a representation of cultural belonging, while the crypto market can turn intangible narratives into actual financial assets. At the intersection of these two, Memes thrive, as Meme-driven hype can cause values to soar. A cartoon frog, a pixelated punk, or even just a simple slogan can become a speculative hotspot due to the collective will of a community.

The "nothing" project pushes this phenomenon to the extreme. If the power of Memes comes from collective narratives and gains value through shared beliefs, then the "nothing" project tests the limits of this Meme and crypto synergy. Can a Meme about "nothing" form a strong community? If so, it proves that narrative—even if hollow—can achieve liquidity, and Meme culture can create meaning from pure concepts.

Dogecoin started as an internet joke and quickly became a multi-billion dollar asset through social consensus and media hype, simply because that dog was cute. CryptoPunks gained popularity because the community viewed them as digital artifacts. In contrast, the "nothing" project strips away all aesthetics and the mystique of early adopters, leaving only a core question: Will we create a story around "nothing" and trade it? Will there be believers?

The "nothing" project forces us to think about why we assign value to certain things. In Meme coins, meaning does not solely come from art or utility, but from the collective agreement on the importance of something. This is a form of cultural alchemy—turning belief into value, hype into price floors, and jokes into serious investments.

If the "nothing" project succeeds, it indicates that Memes and crypto are not merely coexisting; they create each other. Memes provide conceptual hooks—a blank canvas for jokes, critiques, and commentary—while the crypto ecosystem offers a market to monetize this narrative. If "nothing" fails to attract interest, it may reveal that even Meme culture requires some foundation—a figure, a wink, a pixel—to cling to.

By showcasing "nothing," SHL0MS invites us to embrace a void and see it as art. @NousResearch provides a philosophical perspective, while comments from @god and @s8n transform it into a digital moral drama. Not just a gimmick, "nothing" explores the fault lines between Meme culture and crypto speculation, questioning whether narrative alone can create value from emptiness.

In a realm where Memes, satire, and meta-narratives hold significant influence, "nothing" may become a powerful symbol—representing cultural relativism, market abstraction, and the potent Meme force underpinning the crypto world. It challenges us to introspect: Are we collectors, speculators, or fools in an ever-evolving internet performance of self-made punchlines?

The significance of "nothing" lies in its compulsion for us to reflect on ourselves, our markets, and the intangible meanings we weave online. By presenting the literal "nothing," it highlights the fundamental interaction between Meme culture and crypto. In a space where stories, symbols, and jokes can create real wealth, "nothing" asks: If the final layer of substance is removed, will we still cheer, invest, and joke about it?

Ultimately, "nothing" may prove that the capacity for value creation is limitless—even when there is actually nothing there.

Or it may prove nothing at all.

Note: No token symbol.

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