"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."
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"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 are the most mystical and spiritual of all the clans, they are attuned to the energy of crystals and wear jewelry made of different crystals and minerals. They listen to ambient and new age music and have a deep understanding of the spiritual realm. They are known for their meditative and peaceful nature and are always seeking enlightenment."
No roadmaps, white papers, investors, crypto gurus, or influencers, just a community of 2,222 skeletons who survived 2022
Fuck the market, let's art.
The Skeleton Kings project began as a simple experimentation with AI during the Christmas holidays. I had some free time on my hands and decided to play around with a new project idea. As I was working on it, I accidentally created the first skeleton king. It was so dope, I loved it, and I knew I had to create more. 10 became 100, then 1,000, then 10,000, and eventually, the collection grew to 100,000 unique, highly detailed AI artworks of skeleton kings, each with its own backstory and hundreds of different traits and styles. A lot of manual work went into cutting these back to just the 10,000 best renders, but it wouldn't have been possible without AI.
As I was creating the skeletons, the story of the Skeleton Kings began to form in my mind. Each new piece of artwork helped me to write the story, and I knew that I had to bring this world to life. I wanted to give back to the web3 community and show my appreciation for all of the hard work and dedication of collectors, traders, and developers. I also wanted to prove that in the hands of a motivated artist, AI empowers them to achieve the impossible.
The Skeleton Kings project is a reflection of my passion for art and my belief in the power of AI. It took three weeks of non-stop work to create the collection, but every moment was worth it because I hope this collection will give something back to the web3 community. I hope that this project will not only be a source of enjoyment for the community, but will also serve as a symbol of the resilience and determination that has gotten us through tough times like 2022.
I want to invite you to join me in creating a new meta for the web3 community, the Skeleton Kings, a small group of people who survived the bear market of 2022 with the strength to keep building. Together, we are creating something important and enduring. A decentralized internet.
KOAN, also known as Alexander Mitchell, is a highly respected curator and artist manager with over two decades of experience in the art world. He has produced over 300 exhibitions, including shows at prestigious institutions such as the Tia Kwun Museum in Hong Kong and the National Gallery of Victoria. He is the founder of DRP and the 0x.collection, a cutting-edge digital art collection with an annual acquisition budget of 10.5 million euros.
At the heart of KOAN's art and projects is a hands-on approach to art and a dedication to helping artists achieve their full potential. As a manager and curator, he is known for his close collaboration with artists and willingness to take risks to see the artist's vision and potential realized.
As an artist, KOAN is known for his unique blend of digital and physical techniques, which he refers to as "interdisciplinary collage." His highly analytical process involves the use of photography, digital manipulation, and animation to bring his physical collages to life in a digital form. At the core of his art is a critical process that bridges the head and the hand, following the traditions of technical precision, composition, and perspective demanded by classical art.
KOAN's art and projects are a reflection of his philosophy that the modern world is interconnected and malleable. Through his interdisciplinary collage techniques and experiments with new technology, he invites the viewer to engage with classical archetypes in a contemporary context, creating a powerful and immersive artistic experience.
