Hicetnunc art refers to the digital artworks created, shared, and collected through the Hic et Nunc ecosystem—an artist-led NFT movement built on the Tezos blockchain that prioritized experimentation, accessibility, and creative process over hype or profit. While the original platform shut down in 2021, hicetnunc art remains relevant because it introduced a radically different way of thinking about NFTs: art as an ongoing practice, not a polished product.
This article explores: how hicetnunc art functioned as a process-first art environment—and why that philosophy still shapes serious NFT creators today.
Hicetnunc Wasn’t a Marketplace—It Was a Studio
Most NFT platforms are designed like storefronts. They emphasize pricing, rankings, and resale value. Hic et Nunc did the opposite.
From its earliest days, the platform behaved more like a shared studio or sketchbook:
- Artists minted unfinished ideas, tests, and visual experiments
- Low fees removed the pressure to “get it right” the first time
- Collectors often followed artists, not assets
This environment encouraged repetition, iteration, and risk—qualities usually discouraged in commercial art spaces.
The Process-First Philosophy Behind Hicetnunc Art
Low Cost Changed Creative Behavior
When minting costs drop from hundreds of dollars to a few cents, the psychology of creation changes. On hicetnunc, artists could:
- Mint daily or weekly works without financial stress
- Release studies, variations, or code outputs as standalone pieces
- Treat NFTs as documentation of practice, not final statements
This led to a visible shift in aesthetics: raw generative outputs, minimal compositions, and concept-driven works thrived.
No Gatekeepers Meant No “Portfolio Polishing”
Traditional art platforms—and many NFT marketplaces—reward polish and branding. Hicetnunc removed most of those signals.
Early on, artist names were deemphasized. There were no featured drops or algorithmic spotlights. Discovery happened through:
- Community hashtags
- Peer recommendations
- Direct exploration of newly minted work
This reduced performative creation and allowed artists to show work that would never survive a gallery or curated NFT drop.
Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2025
As NFTs matured, many platforms moved toward higher fees, stronger curation, and market-driven incentives. Ironically, this made hicetnunc’s original model more valuable over time.
Today, artists facing algorithm fatigue and market saturation often rediscover hicetnunc-style spaces for one reason: they allow experimentation without punishment.
Hicetnunc Art as Creative Infrastructure
The lasting contribution of hicetnunc art isn’t a specific visual style—it’s a workflow:
- Create frequently
- Release openly
- Let the audience grow alongside the work
This approach now influences community-run Tezos platforms, generative art collectives, and even non-NFT digital art spaces.
Collectors Played a Different Role on Hicetnunc
Collectors on hicetnunc were often closer to patrons than traders. Many followed artists across dozens of low-priced mints, supporting growth rather than chasing appreciation.
This changed the artist–collector relationship:
- Dialogue replaced speculation
- Small purchases carried genuine support
- Long-term engagement mattered more than floor prices
That dynamic is rare—but deeply valued—in today’s NFT landscape.
Common Misunderstandings About Hicetnunc Art
“It Failed Because It Shut Down”
The website closed. The art didn’t. Hicetnunc art lives permanently on-chain and continues to be viewed, traded, and studied through successor platforms.
“It Was Only for Beginners”
In reality, many established digital artists used hicetnunc precisely because it allowed them to escape market expectations and return to experimentation.
What Artists Can Learn from Hicetnunc Today
Even if you never mint on Tezos, the hicetnunc mindset is worth adopting:
- Release work-in-progress publicly
- Separate creative output from market validation
- Build community before brand
In an increasingly financialized creator economy, this approach can be creatively liberating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you still view hicetnunc art?
Yes. Although the original interface is gone, the artworks remain on the Tezos blockchain and are accessible through community-run platforms and archival tools.
Is hicetnunc art still relevant?
Yes—especially for artists and collectors who value experimentation, process, and cultural impact over short-term profits.
Was hicetnunc only about NFTs?
No. At its core, it was about redefining how digital art is shared, supported, and preserved.
Final Takeaway
Hicetnunc art mattered because it treated NFTs as a medium, not a market. Its process-first philosophy gave artists permission to explore, fail, repeat, and grow in public.
That idea didn’t disappear with the platform. It quietly reshaped how serious digital artists think about creation—and it continues to influence the most thoughtful corners of the NFT ecosystem today.