Hash Beasts
Welcome to Hash Beasts! My name is Jon McTavish and I’m the artist behind this ambitious endeavour. I wanted to take this opportunity to explain the project, my intent behind each piece and to fill you in on all the crazy plans I have for this project. First of all, this project has staggered releases, as I am creating this project from scratch. There is no recycling of old works, the point is to push the boundaries of my craft and explore this new frontier.
Hash Beast Ethos. Over the past year I’ve been subjected to Covid lockdown after Covid lockdown (I live in Canada BTW). I have had a lot of time to sit with myself: with my inner turmoil, and with these beasts that lurk just beneath the mask I show the world. I have become fascinated with the idea of creating visual representations of these internal beasts that all of us try to hide from the world. This project aims to not only bring those beasts to the surface but also to add a humorous element to them. If we can laugh at our darkest internal beasts, then we can start to overcome them.
Technical Breakdown. Each unique Hash Beast represents a tile of a larger piece and is assigned a location on a 17 by 17 grid. Columns are identified by letter and rows are identified by number (see image). Once assembled all the backgrounds will link to create the Giga-Beast. Each Hash Beast will be released as a one of one animated NFT, as well as a limited series of static NFTs (series of 5, 10 or 20 max).
Whats Coming Next. As the series progresses I plan to collaborate with other artists in the NFT space, combining styles with artists and even pushing Hash Beasts from the 2D realm into the 3D realm.
#1 (i9) More Tongues To Taste With is a gluttonous two headed beast. The scourge of many unsuspecting beer drinkers, it swoops down from above stealing their beers. It has a fondness for dark ales but loves an IPA if it has also stolen itself a burger or some fries. (There are five static editions in existence)
#2 (i8) Flaily Feathers is a fickle beast. In their natural habitat they dwell at the forests' edge, venturing out into wild fields to find barley grains. Some rural farmers have taken a liking to these pecker-heads and domesticated them, employing them as beer runners in their local beer barn. (There is one animated and five static editions in existence)
#3 (i6) Too Fat To Swim, is a gargantuan fish from prehistoric times. Thought extinct for millions of years, live specimens were recently discovered in underground lakes, on the moon. The Doge Moon Mining Company has recently brought several specimen back from the moon, but the gigantic fish don’t deal well in increased gravity of earth. Hence, it is too fat to swim. (There is one animated and five static editions in existence)
Whoo Is Watching Youu, is a very common creature indeed, but you would never know it because of its ability to stay hidden in the smallest of shadows. Even though it’s never seen, it is always watching and listening. Using its fibrous feathers it can intercept and interpret data sent over wifi and bluetooth signals. Some of the more paranoid members of society fear that these creatures are under the employ of the government… I fear they my be right. (There is one animated and five static editions in existence)
King Of All The Nothing is a rare creature indeed, it rules over its self appointed kingdom. Where is this kingdom you ask? No one actually knows, but if you ever come across one of these beasts you will hear them boasting about how they were once at a party that was hosted by a washed up adult film star and about how many instagram followers they have. In reality, it sounds like a squawking pigeon… no one cares. (There is one animated edition and one static edition in existence)
Fun Guy, Fungi is quite an enlightened creature. Often found deep in the forest these beasts sustain themselves entirely on magic mushrooms. Their mind has expanded beyond anyone’s comprehension, transcended language, and opened portals into new realms. Some fear what these portals might unleash, but I’m too curious to be afraid. (There is one animated and five static editions in existence)
Crypto Cash Flow Kitties have recently made an astonishing comeback from the edge of extinction. The beasts were almost wiped out, but since they managed to meld with the metaverse they have been rapidly multiplying. Known for their generosity, they throw their new found prosperity around at whatever tickles their fancy. This exchange of wealth has been changing the lives of the lucky individuals that catch their eye. On the other hand it has been driving large populations into a frenzy of peacockery to try and catch said attention. (There is one animated and fifty static editions in existence)
Ape-ing In Yet Again Despite the fact they have 5 eyes this beast almost never looks where it is going. They tend to bulldoze their way through the world, but despite their “full send” attitude they always seems to come out with a win. I once saw an Ape-ing In Yet Again get convicted by a street urchin that it should buy a $100 bottle of Benadryl. Only moments later a man collapsed in the street, his neck swelling from a bee sting. The ape saved his life by pouring half that bottle of Benadryl down his throat. The bee stung man turned out to be a crypto billionaire and showed his gratitude for the ape by airdropping him a fortune worth of Etherium and CryptoPunks. Maybe it’s time we Aped in on a project or two. breaths heavily (There is one animated and five static editions in existence)
Two Joints In The Morning is a wise sage of a beast. Known to be extremely “chill” they are wise enough to be thought of as prophetic. Pilgrims will often hike deep into the forest realm to ask these elusive beasts to share their enlightened stories. It is known only amongst the successful pilgrims that a lighter is necessary to achieve their quest. For once Two Joints In the Morning begins its story, it often talks until its joint is burnt out. If the pilgrim does not have a lighter readily available to re-light said joint… the beast will shamble off into the forrest to look for one.. and may never be seen again. (There are five static editions in existence)
