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Self-proclaimed "Crypto Queen" Grimes made nearly $6 million to kick off her Sunday by selling her newest artwork, a series of crypto-art pieces titled "WarNymph."
The pieces, which feature cherub warriors protecting post-apocalyptic planets, went on sale Sunday at 1 p.m for 48 hours.
Dropping NFTs tomorrow at 2pm EST. enter the void pic.twitter.com/l9fNFUCheX
— ☘︎𝔊𝔯𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 (@Grimezsz) February 28, 2021
In 20 minutes, Grimes, musician, artist and girlfriend of Elon Musk, reached $5.8 million in sales from the auction. By noon Monday, all pieces were sold out except for one, "Death of the Old," which is currently bidding for $250,000. Some works, including "The Newborn 2," are being resold for as much as $2.5 million.
According to her artwork's page, WarNymph "explores the fluidity of identity in the virtual age: the ability to create, augment, and splinter ourselves into unlimited avatars, create boundless worlds, and build rich, complex lore."
Each artwork features winged babies in various forms: protecting Mars, sitting atop thrones and wielding weapons including bows and arrows or blood-red spears.
👼"Death of the Old" -@Grimezsz x @MacBoucher1 👼
The first of her kind, #WarNymph is a digital entity spliced from a pixel DNA of the organic human, Grimes.🧬
The journey into the #Oth3rkin Universe starts here: https://t.co/ccliYhMW1q & https://t.co/AgVLsy1eD8
Who's ready?🔥 pic.twitter.com/lf4mer4XOE
— Nifty Gateway (@niftygateway) February 28, 2021
All of the works are examples of a new cryptocurrency called non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. NFTs have surged in popularity in recent weeks as other cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin continue to take off. Unlike Bitcoin, however, NFTs cannot be traded for one another or broken down into smaller values. Instead, they serve as a form of collectibles that stand on their own as individualized collector's items.
Brands such as Nike and Louis Vuitton have already begun creating virtual assets for their consumers, while celebrities including Lindsay Lohan have sold NFTs for thousands of dollars. The NBA, which made the platform NBA Top Shot, has already sold $270 million worth of NFTs in the form of unique NBA video highlights.
NFTs have to be bought using other cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum's Ether or World Asset eXchange. The currency is predicted to continue to skyrocket in value as creators make products for virtual reality technologies.
According to Grimes, there's more where this came from. WarNymph is part of a bigger whole—an entire virtual universe Grimes has titled Oth3rkin that the singer will continue to work on with her brother, Mac Boucher.
Some proceeds from the project are going toward reducing carbon emissions via nonprofit organization Carbon 180. Billionaire Texan transfer Musk, is passionate about the subject as well.
The artworks were sold using NFT trading site Nifty Gateway.
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Popular
(Pexels)
Austin Nicholson was ahead of the curve when he got his vasectomy in September 2021, saving himself a long line as Austin-area doctors say the demand for sterilization has seen a “significant” spike since Roe v. Wade was overturned on Friday.
Nicholson, 25, said he would prefer to adopt children, had felt the Supreme Court decision coming for a while, and, wary of the consequences, he decided to pull the trigger and make an appointment.
“A big part of it was the political climate. We could both potentially face consequences and she would definitely face more consequences, which I also personally would not want,” Nicholson said. “I didn't want to be stuck in Texas and have a potential abortion on the mind when it's illegal.”
(Austin Nicholson)
According to vasectomy specialist Dr. Luke Machen of Austin Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, the clinic received over 150 vasectomy appointment requests combined on Friday and Monday following the ruling. Typically, the clinic performs 45-50 vasectomies per month.
The Austin Urology Institute reported that they received about 70 calls in the first hour after the ruling was released. OBYN at Women’s Health Domain reported receiving over 100 requests from women interested in getting their tubes tied.
“I would say a significant number of patients who scheduled recently have mentioned the Supreme Court case,” Machen said. “A lot of guys have said they were thinking about having a vasectomy over the last year or so, and the ruling was the final push to get it done.”
The average patient at Austin Fertility who receives a vasectomy is about 37, though Machen said he has started to see an increased number of patients with zero children choosing to get a vasectomy. While they put together a study, Machen expects demand for the procedure to plateau but stay higher than before the ruling.
Machen said vasectomy is the most effective form of permanent birth control, requires only about a week of recovery time, is reversible with success rates of up to 95% and has no effects on sexual function or testosterone.
Nicholson said the procedure was less than $700, he was never in any pain, had very little recovery time and has never regretted the decision—in fact, he has happily recommended the procedure to friends.
“It helps me feel better knowing that I won't put a woman in that situation where she'd have to be faced with a potentially life-altering decision, or consequence even,” Nicholson said. “I actually have had three of my friends ask me questions about it and tell me that they were considering it.”
(Valencia Hotel Group)
Live music and beer? Say no more. With a location in Austin, and others throughout Texas, the court hotels by the Valencia Hotel Group have a new offering for weekend stays: Live Music & Longnecks.
Enjoy live music all weekend long and check out the hotels’ state-of-the-art amenities between sets. Make a splash in the pool, enjoy outdoor fire pits, or challenge your friends in a yard game while enjoying a weekend full of live music! Did we mention the package includes deluxe accommodations and a bucket of beer? Oh, and if you needed more convincing, this pet-friendly hotel means the whole family can join in on the fun.
The hotels
Explore any of the Court Hotels by Valencia Hotel Group for a memorable escape. Each property offers a unique experience remnant of yesteryear but with all of the modern amenities that make for a fun and comfortable stay. With acres of landscaped courtyards, relax and unwind in an outdoor environment perfect for doing everything or absolutely nothing at all. With locations in Austin, College Station, Irving, and Lubbock your urban retreat has never been so close.
The music
Locals and travelers alike are invited to enjoy the deep roots of Texas music all summer long with a robust lineup of live performances. From the banks of the San Antonio Riverwalk to Irving’s manicured streets, Valencia’s hotels are a place to gather and reconnect, offering uniquely Texan settings for the weekly performances.
“We’re proud of the community we’ve fostered among Texas musicians and the many rising stars who perform at our properties,” says Amy Trench, corporate director of brand marketing & PR for Valencia Hotel Group.
In Austin, you can catch good ol’ fashioned Texas country by Drew Moreland and Clayton Gardner, bluegrass by Reagan Quinn, and much, much more.
With unique programming at each of Valencia’s properties, there’s something for everyone to enjoy all summer long.
The perks
If you’re a Valencia Hotel Group Rewards member, the perks are plentiful. Enjoy up to 10% off the Best Available Rate, and for a limited time, members can save up to 15% off a stay of 2 nights or more, for select stays in 2022.
But that’s really just the beginning. At select locations, you can enjoy discounts on weeknight stays, a complimentary third night, or curated packages for a romantic getaway or a night of watching the Verde at Q2 Stadium. You’ll also find special rates for AAA and AARP Members, educators, and front-line heroes including military, law enforcement, fire, and rescue workers.