Hans Kemp’s DIVINE ENCOUNTERS
- The NFT Collection -
- An epic journey of discovery
- An award winning 400 page book over a decade in the making
- A unique collection of 14 NFTs, minted on a custom Manifold smart contract, each one giving the collector access to an entire chapter of NFTs.
- A vivid record of humanity etched onto the blockchain for posterity.
“Our normal waking consciousness . . . is but one special type of consciousness, whilst all about it, parted from it by the flimsiest of screens, there lie potential forms of consciousness entirely different. We may go through life without suspecting their existence; but apply the requisite stimulus and at a touch they are all there in all their completeness . . . No account of the universe in its totality can be final which leaves these other forms of consciousness quite disregarded.”
ABOUT THE DIVINE ENCOUNTERS NFT COLLECTION
- STORYTELLING IN THE METAVERSE -
- The collection drop is spearheaded by 14 NFTs, collectively known as DIVINE MASTERS.
- Each DIVINE MASTER represents a complete chapter of images as featured in the book. There are 14 chapters in the book. 14 eyewitness accounts of sacred rituals from all corners of Asia. Hence there are 14 DIVINE MASTERS.
- The first collector of each DIVINE MASTER will receive an airdrop containing all images of the related chapter as 1/1 NFTs. In effect, the DIVINE MASTER collector will become the Metaverse custodian of the sacred ritual.
- Though it is certainly true that every picture tells a story it is only by seeing each image in the context of all others that the full depth of the story is revealed and justice is done to the emotional richness of each documented ritual.
- By choosing this drop mechanism, the photographer hopes to emphasize the importance of preserving our planet’s cultural heritage through in-depth photographic storytelling.
- The entire collection, by way of the 14 DIVINE MASTERS, will be auctioned over a 6 month period, using Manifold’s Gallery Auction pages.
THE AUCTION TIME LINE
On February 15, 2023 the auction for the DIVINE ENCOUNTERS GENESIS NFT, the first image in the book, representing the first chapter, “God’s Own Army”, will be enabled.
On the 15th of each consecutive month thereafter auctions for 3 DIVINE MASTERS will be activated.
3 on March 15, 3 on April 15, May 15 and June 15, leaving a single auction, the final chapter of the book, to be activated on July 15.
THE 14 DIVINE MASTERS
Each DIVINE MASTER represents the key to an entire chapter of NFTs. On the first of the month in which the auction takes place all images will be placed in an online gallery. On the 15th of the same month, at 6PM Bangkok time, the DIVINE MASTER auction will go live.
God’s Own Army Divine Master
The Divine Encounters Genesis NFT. Auction enabled on Feb 15, 2023.
A boisterous and controversial display of devotion to the Mother Goddess. Kerala, India.
God’s Own Army has 26 1/1 NFTs
Auction will be enabled on March 15
Tattooed devotees of a former Buddhist abbot enter into an often violent trance while contemplating the magical powers residing in their tattoos. Wat Bang Phra, Thailand.
The Spirit of the Tattoo has 18 1/1 NFTs
Paying respect and making offerings to spirits temporarily returning to this world. Hong Kong.
Return of the Lost Souls has 18 1/1 NFTs
A reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ with acts of self flagellation by devout penitents. The Philippines.
Bloody Passion has 10 1/1 NFTs
Auction will be enabled on April 15
An exorcism rite to expel evil spirits and avoid calamities, dating back to the 8th century. Japan.
The Chosen One has 33 1/1 NFTs
Riotous gathering of spirit mediums and devotees in honour of nats, potentially malevolent spirits. Myanmar.
Married to the Spirits has 15 1/1 NFTs
A Taoist celebration in honour of the Nine Emperor Gods, with entranced mediums undergoing extreme body piercings. Thailand.
Pierced Horses has 22 1/1 NFTs
Auction will be enabled on May 15
Laymen and monks channel ancient Tibetan spirits for divination and good fortune at the beginning of the new year. Ladakh, India.
Trance on the Edge has 17 1/1 NFTs
A Buddhist rite to console the dead and a gathering of itakos, female spirit mediums. Japan.
Mountain of Fear has 15 1/1 NFTs
A temple anniversary celebration depicting the battle between Rangda and Barong, culminating in a mass trance with devotees trying to pierce themselves with a traditional kris. Bali, Indonesia.
Rangda's Revenge has 17 1/1 NFTs
Auction will be enabled on June 15
The birthplace of Shamanism. Mongolia
Skywalkers has 15 1/1 NFTs
Korean mansin act as vehicles for various spirits during rituals that provide an opportunity to placate the spirits, seek divination or exorcise malevolent entities. South Korea.
Mistress of the Spirits has 15 1/1 NFTs
A Hindu festival in honor of Lord Murugan. Devotees climb 272 steps to the cave while carrying various kavadis (burdens). Batu Caves, Malaysia.
Staircase to Heaven has 20 1/1 NFTs
Crocodile Biting Divine Master
The Divine Encounters final master, the last chapter of the book. Auction enabled on July 15, 2023.
An extreme scarification and initiation ritual for boys of the Iatmul tribe. Sepik River, Papua New Guinea.
Crocodile Biting has 36 1/1 NFTs
THE DIVINE MASTER REWARDS
Being the first collector of a Divine Master not only gets you the complete chapter of 1/1 NFTs airdropped, you will also receive a very special signed and numbered limited edition of Divine Encounters.
Both book and box are foil stamped with a Tiger Yant, a sacred symbol drawn especially for the ltd. edition by Ajarn Neng, a well known Sacred Tattoo Master from Bangkok. The same symbol that is featured in the ASCI art of the collection’s smart contract.
What’s more, though a collector is absolutely free to list and sell all tokens in the secondary market (see below), it pays to hold on to the Divine Master; future benefits such as free token drops and collector’s exclusive early access to new projects are some of the special perks.
WHAT ABOUT THE SECONDARY MARKET?
There are no blockers or restrictions put into the contract. A collector is free to choose from all available platforms when it comes to secondary sales.
With regards to royalties: respect has been a major driving force behind gaining access to photograph these rituals and ceremonies up close and personal. It’s the same respect that realizes that storytelling is an integral part of our humanity and should be properly rewarded in order to be sustainable as an art form.
THE STORYTELLING FUND
Empowered by Manifold’s smart contract and Gallery Auction pages, the photographer truly becomes the captain of his own ship. The creator, after all, is the platform.
As a freelance photographer for his entire career Hans has always been a strong believer in taking responsibility for his own destiny. At the same time he is well aware that a little help will go a long way.
So instead of platform fees (Manifold charges none) 15% of each Divine Master winning bid as well as secondary royalties will be allocated, by way of the smart contract, to a storytelling wallet, storiesofhumanity.eth
These funds will be used to further the cause of long form photographic storytelling by supporting documentary photographers in the NFT space.