Crypto Art
by Matthew Cicanese
Single-edition crypto art to benefit Matthew's growth in developing a crypto conservation storyteller's fund.
Robber flies look like they belong in a sci-fi movie! They have bulging eyes, skinny legs, and a terrifyingly long proboscis (feeding tube) with a needle-like appendage on end. Robber flies are ambush predators, meaning they lie in wait before attacking their unsuspecting prey. When a robber fly finds a victim, it quickly lands on its back and inserts its proboscis into a vulnerable spot, such as the eye or the body cavity.
If you’ve ever tried to grow your own succulent plants, you know that they need a lot of time, attention, and patience to keep them healthy. That’s because succulents are a lot like us: they’re not very resilient to change, and they need a pretty specific set of conditions to thrive.
"The Red Queen Hypothesis" is a concept in Leigh Van Valen's evolutionary biology in 1973. It says that organisms must constantly evolve to adapt to their environment to survive, and it's named after the Red Queen in Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass" book. In the story, the Red Queen says, "Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to stay in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!"
Every day we get bombarded with new ideas, new information, and new experiences; our brains are constantly being stimulated, never resting, and never slowing down. After a while, this can become physically and mentally taxing, wearing away at our health as well as our happiness. It may seem like there's not much one can do about this, but there is. All it takes is a few mindful deep breaths, and with a little practice, you can find yourself slowing down and taking care of your mental and physical health.
A crisp burst of cobalt blue radiates a feeling of joy and excitement for life. Through blue, I can uplift my mood, become more productive, and live a happier life.
There are many stories about nature, and the way of nature is to adapt. I feel as if the forest is a place for adaptation. When I look at the pictures taken of the forest, I feel as if I am viewing a sculpture. These sculptures are made of things that grow, and I feel it is a place for creative expression. I am told that it is a place for peace and that there is much peace in the forest.
The color purple is one of those colors that is hard to describe, but most people who see it say, “that color just makes me feel something.” The word “purple” comes from the Greek word πορφύρα (porphura), the name of the Tyrian purple dye manufactured in classical antiquity from mucus secreted by the spiny dye-murex snail. However, today the color purple is often associated with royalty. I love finding the beauty of the color purple in my own backyard.
A crisp burst of cobalt blue radiates a feeling of joy and excitement for life. Through blue, I can uplift my mood, become more productive, and live a happier life.
I've always been attracted to the color indigo. I'm drawn to its deep richness, which is the color of the night sky and the twinkle in a child's eye, of a deep ocean and the heart of a flower. Indigos are rare and captivating. I have nothing against other colors, but indigo is special. It embodies the beauty of the universe and its grand mystery. With the help of the color indigo, I have found myself able to face the hard times.
Water is a necessity for life, so it is also called "the universal solvent" by scientists. The water molecule is vital to all living things. After all, it is the only molecule that can bond with itself, which allows it to form hydrogen bonds. These hydrogen bonds are essential for the structure of proteins and nucleic acids, vital to all life. The water molecule is also crucial to Earth for maintaining the temperature of the surface of the planet. This is known as the greenhouse effect.
Matthew Cicanese is a National Geographic Explorer and Wildlife Conservation Photographer who lives and works in the greater Tampa Bay area. A Florida native, his photographs of wildlife celebrate places from around the world.
Recently, he focused on expanding his work to examine the elements and principles of the designs seen and experienced in nature. Each piece is imbued with a sense of childlike fascination that invites you to dive deeper into the textural details and playfully explore with the eye. Engrained in all of Matthew's artwork, you will find the themes of wonder and curiosity.
His career in photography began in his formative years at the age of 14 (2005). In 2015, his professional career began following Duke University's MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts program. Since this time, he continues to tell stories that illuminate Earth's details and inspire curiosity. Matthew's experiences and creative direction culminated with his first solo exhibition at Tampa International Airport, titled ‘Earth Up Close’.
Matthew's artwork has been shown and exhibitions worldwide, including the Natures Best Photography exhibition and London's Royal Geographical Society as a finalist for the 2015 Environmental Photographer of the Year Awards. In addition to private venues and events.
His photography has been featured by Canon, National Geographic, World Wildlife Fund, Smithsonian Magazine, and BBC Earth Online (among others). In 2021 Matthew was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 for Art and Style.