Redefining Art Ownership with Re - tain
Explore Re -- tain, a Tezos-based generative art platform where artists use personal smart contracts for unique ownership. Delve into its unique minting process and insights from co-founder Andre Fuchs on its transformative impact in the NFT world
900 words, 5 minute read
We might feel overwhelmed by the news of yet another NFT platform launch, but that feeling isn’t entirely accurate. Recent developments like fx(hash)'s $5M seed round indicate persistent interest in generative art.
Alongside fx(hash), the interest is extending to another Tezos-focused platform, Re — tain. Currently, over 100 artists have signed up to be part of this upcoming platform. Given the limited details available because the platform is not yet live, this article will delve deeper into Re — tain’s features and commentary from co-founder Andre Fuchs.
How is Re — tain Different? #
In mid-2023, Pifragile, Andre Fuchs, and Studio Yorktown collaborated to create a new generative art platform. This platform, currently in private testing, is called Re — tain, allowing users to deploy generative art on personal Tezos smart contracts.
In most generative art platforms, artists’ tokens are hosted in a single smart contract. Notably, platforms like for Tezos-based NFTs aggregate a variety of NFT artists’ works via multiple smart contracts, while others enable the generative minting process on their own platform like fx(hash).
The standout feature of Re–tain is artists’ ability to create generative art using their own smart contracts on the Tezos blockchain. Each collection becomes a separate smart contract, enabling artists to independently host their art on the blockchain, instead of using the platform’s monolithic smart contract.
This concept draws inspiration from Ethereum’s Manifold, where artists in Manifold Studio can mint tokens using self-deployed creator contracts. This approach grants artists true ownership and a high level of authenticity for their works.
Remaining open-minded is crucial, considering the evolving landscape of NFTs. The once-standard process of purchasing NFTs with a click or participating in a mint has shifted. The growing needs of artists, collectors, and projects necessitate this evolution.
Given this perspective, the name “Re–tain” fits quite well, doesn’t it?
What Can We Expect? #
By enabling artists to deploy their own smart contracts for generative art on the Tezos blockchain, Re — tain introduces a world of possibilities and novel experiences.
The collector’s journey during the minting process sets it apart from other platforms. Re — tain’s unique minting process allows collectors to randomize an artwork until they’re 100% satisfied with it. Every minted piece is one-of-a-kind because the smart contract prevents duplicates.
Re — tain also addresses common challenges faced by generative artists, such as promoting their works. The platform facilitates self-promotion on personal channels and even offers tools for generating diverse social media content like reels and stories.
Source: Re — tain team
Additionally, artists can embed widgets on custom sites, showcasing their generative art and enhancing the collector experience. Utilizing a user’s Tezos domain, artists can create test or landing pages to educate collectors about their collections.
To learn more about the upcoming platform, explore our TezTalks Live with Piero Guicciardi, and sign up for early access here!
Some Key Insights from Andre Fuchs #
I had the chance to sit down with Andre Fuchs, co-founder of the upcoming generative art platform, Re — tain. In our conversation, we delved into his journey and motivations behind the platform.
What was the inspiration for you to start working on Re–tain?
By the end of 2022, I had been selling my generative art on fx(hash) for a year and sought to offer collectors the chance to mint pieces directly from my personal website. However, when I couldn’t find an existing solution, I set out to create one.
Why was deploying art on your own Tezos smart contract a core feature?
I believe artists feel more connected to their art when they own the contract too. In the future, we’ll add options for users to customize it according to their needs. This way, artists can tailor their art contracts and maintain ownership.
Regarding integrations, this simplifies compatibility with platforms like OBJKT. We have a feature allowing artists to sell on OBJKT as well. They can choose to buy or sell on OBJKT, their site, or our marketplace. The contracts are also more adaptable for upgrades and faster iterations.
After wanting to enable the direct minting of art from Andre’s website and finding no existing solutions, Andre recognized the necessity to create one and so he did. Upon joining forces with Piero and creating Re — tain, Andre contributes to offering artists greater ownership and customization for their generative art experiences, while also facilitating easier integration with popular platforms like OBJKT. Given its Tezos-focused nature, it’s clear to me after conversing with Andre that this solution is not only absent but also a valuable addition to the already thriving generative art landscape on Tezos.
Looking Forward #
Re — tain is an innovative generative art platform on Tezos that allows artists to deploy their own smart contracts for exclusive ownership of their creations. Unlike typical NFT platforms, Re–tain empowers artists and collectors with a distinctive minting experience, while enhancing authenticity and preventing duplicate mints within the Tezos ecosystem. Collectors engage with a novel algorithm, selecting preferred outputs to be minted. Make sure to sign up and stay tuned for the platform’s launch!