Project Details

• alignDRAW is the first ever text-to-image model created in 2015 by Elman Mansimov.
• The model generated a total of 2,709 images from 36 text prompts. These are the only images in existence.
• Each image is 32 x 32 pixels. The NFT editions are minted fully on-chain from their original files (more details here) and the print editions scaled using ‘nearest neighbour’ to faithfully preserve the original pixelation.
• The images are broken down into 2 different categories: Paper Prompts and Process Prompts.
• Paper Prompts: In the published academic paper, ‘Generating Images from Captions with Attention‘, 21 unique text prompts, each producing a set of 8 images, were used to illustrate the capabilities of the alignDRAW model. These 168 individual images are categorised as ‘Paper Prompts’.
• Process Prompts: Mansimov also saved alignDRAW outputs from a further 21 text prompts (15 unique, 6 matching the prompts from the paper) each producing a set of 121 images. These 2,541 images, created by the same alignDRAW model, are categorised as ‘Process Prompts’.
• The alignDRAW digital artwork is shown below. You can view the print editions of the artwork here.
• You can view the artwork in detail here

NFT Release Information

Paper Prompts

• NFT Editions of 1 will be available for images generated from each of the 21 unique text prompts used in the ‘Generating Images from Captions with Attention’ academic paper.
• Each text prompt will be sold as a set containing 8 images.
• Each image will be minted separately so the collector of each text prompt will receive 8 individual NFTs.
• Artwork from the first text prompt referenced in the paper, “a stop sign flying in blue skies”, will be sold at Christie’s in a 1 week auction from Dec 5th - Dec 12th. The winning bidder will receive a framed print (the first edition of 5) of the artwork for free.
• Artwork from the next 18 text prompts will be sold in simultaneous 24 hour auctions starting Dec 13th on this website. Each of the winning bidders will also be able to purchase a framed print (the first edition of 5) of the artwork at cost (see more details below).
• Artwork from the remaining 2 text prompts will be reserved for Fellowship and to place with an institution.

Process Prompts

• NFT Editions of 1 will be available for images from each of the 21 additional text prompts created by the same alignDRAW model.
• 2,015 images will be available for public sale in a Dutch auction format from 0.5eth to 0.1eth at 2pm ET, Dec 14th on this website.
• The remainder of the images will be gifted to artists, collectors, communities and held by Fellowship.

Fully on-chain

• Most NFTs have some level of dependency on external services. For collectors, there's a concern: artwork access depends on third-party organizations' continued operations.
• The greatest risk occurs when the data is stored off-chain, such as on AWS or Google Cloud, with the NFT simply providing a pointer to this data.
• A more desirable method involves storing data on distributed file systems like IPFS or Arweave. However, IPFS necessitates that the data is "pinned" (cached), and both methods still involve off-chain data storage.
• Progressing further in ensuring data permanence, some systems store the essential data and assets on-chain, while off-chain storage is used for library information, traits, and rendered outputs.
• Specifically, for alignDRAW, everything is stored on-chain including the images in their original byte format, without alterations or enhancements.
• This fully “on-chain” approach affirms the project's durability, unchangeability, and long-term preservation, making alignDRAW a consistent testament to a significant phase in the progression of digital art.
• Note that over time (but not at mint) everything will be fully on-chain. We've created an architecture that allows for the progressive on-chain storage of data and images, strategically addressing the challenge of high gas costs at launch through a phased roll-out that capitalizes on periods of lower gas prices.

Print Release Information

Paper Prompts

• Print Editions of 5 + 2 AP will be available for each of the 21 unique text prompts used in the ‘Generating Images from Captions with Attention’ academic paper.
• Each artwork consists of 8 individually mounted Archival pigment prints, 8.1 x 8.0cm each; framed 24.6 x 43.5 cm overall.
• The print first edition is reserved for the NFT owner.
• You can view the artwork in detail here

Process Prompts

• Print Editions of 5 + 2 AP will be available for each of the 17 additional unique text prompts created by the same alignDRAW model
• Each artwork consists of 121 individually mounted Archival pigment prints, 8.1 x 8.0cm each; framed 110.0 x 110.0 cm overall.
• You can view the artwork in detail here