Tattoos quite literally represent perspectives, societal philosophies, and shifts in culture via the human body, and Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are the latest addition to the age-old tradition. Since early civilization, the human body has been the most permanent messenger of art. Body arts boast a commitment towards tribal belief systems, cultural phenomenon, religions, and even reflect the change of the times using the human body as a vessel.
In the information age, as the world slowly shifts to an ever more permanent form of the internet, NFTs represent a sort of digital permanence. It shares strikingly similar values to IRL body art. Unlike web2 infrastructures, Non Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are tied to the permanence of a blockchain. In the ever increasing adoption of web3 technology, NFT tattoos represent a growing spirit of digital immortalization.
Following the rise of the NFT industry, Tattoo artists have increased their relevance in numerous ways. A tattoo of an NFT allows the web3 community to take ‘Diamond Hands’ to a whole new level! Let’s take a look at all things NFT Tattoo below!
NFT Tattoos: Are They Worth It?
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) have been making waves in the art world lately. Furthermore, digital artists have found a new way to monetize and showcase their work. NFTs are unique digital assets verified on a blockchain, which means they can’t be duplicated or forged.
If you’re considering getting an NFT tattoo solely as an investment, it’s important to note that the value of NFTs can be highly volatile and unpredictable. While some NFTs have sold for millions of dollars, others have sold for much less or even failed to sell at all.
That being said, if you’re interested in NFT tattoos for their artistic value or as a way to showcase your love for a particular artist or creator, then the value of the NFT token may not be as important to you. In this case, the worth of the tattoo is subjective and dependent on personal taste and preference.
Some artists are taking this concept even further by minting their NFTs onto their skin in the form of tattoos. Below we will dive deep into notable communities and individuals in the space who represent digital and physical permanence in their belief in web3!
RektGuy
In December 2022, the Rektguy NFT collection made headlines in the NFT spaceas its community. This was because the brand rallied to increase its value to a 1 ETH floor price on OpenSea. The campaign gained momentum when project co-founder OSF pledged to get a tattoo of the iconic creation upon reaching the goal. This demonstrated the powerful connection between NFTs and real-world actions. Thanks to the community’s solidarity and support, the floor price still sits at an impressive floor price of 1.26 ETH on OpenSea.
As soon as its value hit 1 ETH, founder OSF (@OSF_Rekt) got his iconic Rektguy NFT tatted on him!
As the Rektguy project continues to evolve, there’s no doubt that even more milestones are on the horizon. And with each new achievement, OSF and other bold members of the rektguy community may once again find themselves inked up, as they celebrate the power of NFTs to bring people together and inspire real-world change.
TheMoneyLeg.ETH
Twitter user @TheMoneyLeg describes themselves as “a living, walking, & LIFETIME promoting NFT Community project”. He recently tatted his AlienFrens on his leg. Money Leg also promises to add more NFTs to cover his leg complete with digital collectibles. In response, many other collectors/holders followed suit to this small but significant movement!
Raws.ETH
CryptoPunk and their creators Larva Labs’ offshoot project “Larva Lads” represents a large part of what the NFT space is all about – having fun and building in web3. In a grand gesture of support for this project, NFT artist and collector raws.eth rang in 2022 with a bang by revealing something special to the Twitterverse. He got a tattoo of his beloved Larva Lad NFT! Talk about putting your money where your mouth is!
With this bold move, raws.eth proved that he’s more than just a collector of NFTs – he’s a true believer in their power and potential. And who knows, maybe we’ll see more inked-up NFT enthusiasts in the coming months as they celebrate their favorite digital treasures in the most permanent way possible.
Little Ghosts NFT
Twitter user @saurel_sarin showed their commitment to the Little Ghosts NFT project. The tattoo represents support for what Saurel loves – NFTs!
NFT Tattoo Innovators
Below let’s learn about some of the innovators combining tattoo culture with the power of the blockchain to create new spaces and break new ground in body art.
Ivana Belakova
In 2022, Cosmic Wire and celebrity tattoo artist Ivana Belakova partnered to release her exclusive tattoo art as NFTs. These double as VIP tickets for her events across Dubai, Europe, and LA. The NFTs offer holders exclusive access to live tattoo sessions and a chance to win a custom tattoo of their own, alongside other physical items showcasing their NFT tattoo.
Moreover, passholders can also participate in fireside chats with Ivana’s celebrity clients at luxurious venues, yachts, and restaurants. These destinations span across Europe and the US. This exclusive NFT experience is a unique opportunity for tattoo, art, and NFT enthusiasts to be a part of the cutting edge of digital art and entertainment.
Bang Bang
As the tattoo industry expands into the NFT space, one artist stands out from the rest: Bang Bang. Keith McCurdy aka Bang Bang, is a renowned tattoo artist who has inked some of the world’s biggest celebrities. They include Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry. But in recent months, he’s made a name for himself in the NFT world as well.
For the past five years, Bang Bang has been working alongside scientists at the University of Colorado to develop a tattoo ink made of photochromic microcapsules, aptly named “tech tattoos”. These tattoos create a unique color-changing effect that’s activated by UV light. This allows the tattooed image to transform before your very eyes. Bang Bang sees this technology as an opportunity to bridge the gap between tattoo culture’s desire for individuality and the unique features of NFTs.
In fact, he’s already made history by selling the first-ever rewriteable tattoo as a 1/1 NFT for an impressive 100 ether (ETH), (~$100,000). It’s clear that Bang Bang is on the forefront of a new movement that’s pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with tattoos. With his bold experimentation and artistic vision, he’s paving the way for a new era of tattoo culture that embraces technology and innovation like never before.
An NFT Tattoo Worth $300,000
In late 2021, rap superstar Gunna purchased a Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT worth upwards of $300,000. The rapper wasted no time getting his tattoo permanently attached to his body. He christened his Ape (BAYC #2759) as “Butta”, and got the digital asset tatted on his leg.
Invisible Friends Community
The Invisible Friends community has a running inside joke around the “No Ragrets” tattoo from the movie “We’re The Millers”. But the brand has arguably the best artwork and concept attached to it. This vibrant community attracts followers on their way to become a legacy NFT brand. Invisible Friends currently have over 500k followers on Twitter, and some sovereign fans have their Friend’s tattooed on themselves! Check out some below:
NFT Tattoo Mistakes
Ultimately, whether or not an NFT tattoo is worth it depends on your individual goals and priorities. It’s important to do your research and carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before making a decision.
We can’t state the importance of DYOR more than this picture. Crypto is a wild, wild place.