Acclaimed movie director Terry Gilliam is making a foray into the NFT space with the launch of Blessed Before Blast, an NFT based on a surrealist print that has been in his home for 50 years. A report disclosed this news earlier today, noting that Gilliam, who rose to fame after directing films like Brazil and 12 Monkeys, drew the print during the early stages of his career when he was an illustrator and an animator.
According to the report, Gilliam partnered with DeCrypt Studios, an NFT and Web 3 production company, on this project. The print is based on an original Monty Python animation. Gilliam drew it during his days on Monty’s Python Flying Circus when his work on the 1970’s television series helped establish the American-born British film director as an artist interested in surrealism.
Allegedly, Blessed Before Blast is a visual representation of the nervousness artists feel as they march toward a very different and less pleasant planet. It depicts Earth like a bomb that is about to go off. On Earth’s surface is a faceless, overweight angel trying to escape the explosion but cannot fly away.
Blessed Before Blast is already listed on OpenSea with an opening bid of 0.5 ETH (2,070.10). The auction is set to run until November 29.
More NFTs to come
Commenting on the Blessed Before Blast project, Gilliam said,
I was worried about removing my artwork from the wall where it had hung for so many years in order to photograph it, but, incredibly, we discovered a far more valuable and unknown Michelangelo fresco hidden right behind it. Perhaps, the same luck will come to whoever buys this NFT.
Gilliam further noted that he has an incredible collection of art he has worked on over the years. However, most of the artwork has never been outside his home. He believes the NFT space would be an ideal platform to share such art with the rest of the world.
The 81-year-old admitted to not knowing much about the NFT industry and whether it is the future of art. However, he said he is excited to venture into the decentralized art space.
This news comes after Pulp Fiction director Quentin Tarantino announced that he would release an NFT collection from uncut scenes from the 1994 film. However, Miramax sued him, alleging copyright infringements, trademark infringement, and unfair competition. According to the movie studio, Tarantino does not have the right to create NFTs from the movie.
