"The Gold Crowns strolled into the hall, their glittering crowns and designer threads catching the light. These skeletons are all about the high life, always looking for the next big score. They're the ones who have the inside scoop on the latest in art and the hippest clubs. They're sharp, ambitious, always looking for ways to take their wealth to the next level. These are the kings of the fast lane, they're not slowing down for anyone."
"The Silver Crowns sauntered into the hall, their Vivian Westwood leathers, studs and spikes, a stark contrast to the regal attire of the other Kings. These boys don't give a damn about tradition, they're here to cause chaos & look damn good doing it. They were my kind of skeletons. These are the kings of the counterculture, who'll never be tamed. Watch out, world, the Silver Crowns have arrived."
"The Sapphire Crowns are the elite of the elite, these skeletons are always dressed to the nines in Issey Miyake and sipping champagne at the hottest art openings and classical music concerts. They're the ones everyone wants to be, and the ones everyone wants to be with. These high society skeletons are the ones to watch, they're the ones making the rules and they're not afraid to break them."
"I stumbled upon the Rusted Crowns in the corner of the hall, their dilapidated armor and ragged cloaks a stark contrast to the polished regalia of the other skeleton kings. These guys looked like they had seen some shit and lived to tell the tale. They were battle-worn, but their eyes still held a glint of determination. These are the veterans of the skeleton world, the ones who have fought and survived. They may be rusted, but they're far from defeated."
"The Ruby Crowns are the OG Skeleton Kings, straight outta the mind of the Great Skeleton Emperor himself. These royalty of the clans ain't just any skeletons, they're the skeletons of style and class. Dressed to kill in designer threads and listening to only the smoothest of beats from Sakamoto, Debussy, and Satie. These Kings are the ultimate combination of loyalty and swagger, some say they might as well be gods among bones."
"The Emerald Crowns, traditionalists and philosopher kings, walked into the hall in their kimonos and epic mech-mode like Gundam. They were the first to hear the call of the Great Skeleton Emperor and the last to emerge from the portal to the Netherrealm. They are quiet and wise, always thinking before making a move. These are the Kung Fu masters of the skeleton world, and they're not to be underestimated."
"The Wooden Crowns, the unsung heroes of the Skeleton Kings, always working behind the scenes, building the future. Decked out in Carhart and Pendleton, these underground kings are the smartest of the bunch and true architects of web3. With a taste for Nujabes and trip hop, they're the ones you want on your team when building a new world."
"The Camo Crowns strolled in like they owned the place, and let's be real, they probably do. Pro gamer movers and shakers, Decked out in head-to-toe Maharishi camo, listening to the Gorillaz these kings are the epitome of cool. The Camo Crowns have arrived and the game's about to change."
"The Ivory Crowns glided in, all porcelain skin and Comme des Garçons all-white threads. They move in silence, but their love for earth's art is loud and clear. They're delicate and careful, always studying the potential in Earth's culture and art. They share a love of art with the Sapphire Crowns, with whom they're tight. Their silent wisdom is something to be respected and admired."
"The Neon Crowns arrived with a bright flash and a bang, straight from the future. They may have taken a detour on their way to the summons, but they've returned stronger for it. This clan of cyberpunk skeletons are the ones who know the future. Decked out in neon gear, listening to Daft Punk and The Crystal Method, they're a force to be reckoned with. They came back from the future together and they're gonna take the skeleton world by storm."
"The Obsidian Crowns, death metal to the bone, strolled in like they were on a mission from Hell. Decked out in all black, skull rings and cirpse paint, these skeleton kings were the embodiment of darkness and chaos. I wouldn't want to cross them, but I sure as Hell would want to party with them. These are the Kings of the underground"
"The Aramid Crowns, stealthy and deadly, slid into the hall like shadows. These skeleton kings are the ultimate warriors, initiated through speedrunning the entire Metal Gear Solid series. Decked out in cyborg ninja gear, armed with cutting-edge tech, these kings are the ones you call for a mission accomplished, no questions asked."
The Snake Clan Skeleton Kings embody a mysterious and mystically inclined faction among all the clans. Entwined with serpents that coil around their skulls like living crowns, they exude an aura of ancient magic and power. Their movements are fluid and harmonious, reflecting their deep connection with the snakes they wear. With a preference for enigmatic and spiritual tunes, they hold a wealth of wisdom about the mystical realm.
"The Famous crowns sit by the side of the great Skeleton Emperor, watching the clans arrive. These shape-shifting skeletons have been living among us for over a century, preparing for the Great Skeleton Emperor's summons. They've taken on the identities of some of the most renowned and influential figures in history. I should know - I'm one of them. The Famous Crowns have been pulling the strings behind the scenes, and we're not done yet." - Hunter Skeleton Thompson (Famous Crown)
These Skeleton Kings represent the most enigmatic and spiritually inclined of all the clans. In tune with the vibrations of crystals, they adorn themselves with a variety of crystal and mineral jewelry. With a penchant for ambient and new age music, they possess profound insight into the spiritual world. Renowned for their meditative and tranquil demeanor, they continually pursue enlightenment.
Fuck the market; let's art.
The Skeleton Kings project started as an experiment. I was tinkering with AI when the first skeleton king grabbed my attention. I was like, "this is dope," and I knew I had to make more. From 10 to 100, then 1,000, 10,000, and eventually, over 100,000 AI skeleton kings. It took a lot of effort to handpick the top 8,888, assign them individual names, and work out how to generate meaningful traits, but without AI, this wouldn't have been feasible.
I know it's heresy in NFTs, but honestly, I don't want this shit to moon. The whole idea of speculative PFPs as an investment is kind of retarded; we all know it, but we just don't want to admit it. I get it, I'm the same, so I don't blame anyone. I just want Skeleton Kings to become a way for artists, designers, and creative thinkers to recognize each other online based on how dope they are as people, not how much internet money their JPG is worth. It's my cool side gig to test new AI techniques and give back to the community on DRP and our associated servers. Even though I'm going out of my way to add as much value to the collection through free mints and community development, I hope it's always valued based on my efforts, not market shenanigans.
Skeleton Kings is a reflection of my passion for art and belief in the potential of AI. I want this project to contribute to the web3 community and stand as a symbol of resilience and determination that got us through tough times like 2022.
Long live the new fresh.
KOAN, aka Alexander Mitchell, is a renowned curator and artist manager with over 20 years of experience in the art world. He has produced 300+ exhibitions, including shows at prestigious institutions like the Tia Kwun Museum in Hong Kong and the National Gallery of Victoria. He founded DRP and the 0x.collection, a cutting-edge digital art collection with a yearly acquisition budget of 10.5 million euros.
At KOAN's core is a hands-on approach to art and dedication to helping artists achieve their potential. As a manager and curator, he's known for close collaboration with artists and taking risks to realize their vision and potential.
As an artist, KOAN's unique "interdisciplinary collage" combines digital and physical techniques. His analytical process uses photography, digital manipulation, and animation to bring physical collages to life digitally. His art follows the traditions of technical precision, composition, and perspective in classical art.
KOAN's art and projects reflect his belief in an interconnected, malleable modern world. His interdisciplinary collage techniques and technology experiments encourage viewers to engage with classical archetypes in a contemporary context, creating a powerful and immersive artistic experience.