NFT project- it was me the whole time

Series and project title is “it was me the whole time”. This series is based on ideas of self-awareness or lack thereof. I commissioned an artist to draw images based on the description set out below as a visual representation of a situation where you are judgmental of someone else, but really you lacked the insight to see how you were the common denominator problem. 

My original plan when I commissioned the art a few years ago was to publish a printed book that covered topics on self-awareness with the hope toward creating a world where people treat each other better, simply by thinking about their role in their interactions. 

While I never published the book, the project was dormant until recently. I figured minting the images along with the storylines as an NFT project would be something fun and interesting. The goal is to create a limited series of each image and connect the people who purchase the images to collaborate in a “self-awareness” eco system. Eventually there will be some way to publish the entire series together and share knowledge on thinking about other people, and our own individual roles in our relationships. 

Sometimes when you think other people are a “problem” it takes an effort to think about how you may be the problematic one and use that as a steppingstone to a path of self-awareness. Having true self-awareness can benefit all your relationships, and your relationship with the “world”. Meaning the more self-aware you are the more you can develop ideal communication skills to achieve your own goals, the less judgmental you may be of others and yourself, and the more positively you can relate to the world around you. Self-awareness comes in multiple forms and having a positive sense of self-awareness can allow for others to be seen and heard in your life.

There are a total of 15 colorized images, that will be limited to 18 copies each. There are 15 black and white “skeleton” versions of the colorized versions that will have more copies available. These skeleton versions will likely be used for marking and spreading awareness about the project “it was me the whole time”.  

There are more ideas in the pipeline, and perhaps more people will share scenarios and I can add these to the series. I would like the scenarios to be edgy, funny, ironic, cynical, and intriguing. Eventually each image and ‘story’ may be used as the basis for a web series comprised of a 2–3-minute animation that will be a thought-provoking way of thinking about self-awareness, irony, and our own roles in our lives. It sounds very meta, but it isn’t obvious that people think about themselves as a common denominator in all their life experiences, and sooner blame external issues to things that are truly their own problem. 

The idea to think about is if for a moment you think about whether your actions are like the things you’re critiquing, perhaps you will for a moment try to do better. Through this awareness, you become a little more empathetic. Many people just assume (as it is easier) that everything, and everyone else is a problem, but never stop to consider their own role and existence in these interactions. This is not to say that having self-awareness somehow shields you from negative or otherwise problematic relationships. But through self-awareness, you take stock of yourself, your existence, and through this, work to better yourself, which many times results in things just being better for you. 

Below are the explanations of each image. 

This is imagery to portray obnoxious, hypocritical, antithetical behavior, and get the reader to think and introspect on their behavior, and maybe make a positive change.

  1. I went to the store and noticed a terrible smell. I thought it was the person in front of me in the checkout counter. Once I got home, I realized I stepped in dog poo. It was me the whole time...
  2. I felt like I was being judged for the way I dressed, dyed hair outrageous clothing. I didn't want to get help from a man I thought was homeless. I misjudged the person and found out they were an ex-patriot who lost everything in the war. I thought I was being judged but it was me who was being judgmental the whole time...
  3. I kept yelling at the person in front of me thinking they were the cause of the traffic. I then realized more cars were backed up behind me because of my temper. It was me who was causing traffic the whole time...
  4. I protested and chanted slogans; the lines I was saying were anti-Semitic, racist, prejudice, all the things I was fighting against. It was me the whole time who needed to be protested... (I used to think that some people deserved to be screamed at for their political agenda, when it is me the whole time who had questionable views.)
  5. I kept telling my friends not to text and drive. I didn’t listen to my own advice, got in a small car accident. It was me who needed warning the whole time...
  6. I don’t invite one person I know to my parties because they drink too much and get very wild. After my party a person showed me a video of myself, I realized it was me who was the obnoxious drunk the whole time...
  7. I called the parking police on my neighbors because they always park in front of my house. I ran into a coffee shop, put my hazard lights on because I was blocking a handicapped spot. I came out from the coffee shop and saw my car was towed. 
  8. When my friends ask me to meet them, I show up many hours late, then when I made a party my friends didn’t show up until the end. 
  9. I believe I am an environmental advocate; I attend rallies, and vote for politicians who are trying to change the world. Although my favorite car is an SUV, and I use more electricity than needed. 
  10. I want everything and give nothing…
  11. I am judgmental of a person who I perceive as not being honest, when it is I who is proud of not reporting all my income taxes…
  12. I am always asking my neighbors to turn their music down and be quiet, but when I like a song, I turn the volume up…
  13. I am quick to respond to others with a criticism, but I don’t let anyone provide me with criticism.
  14. I expect my employees to work hard and after hours, but when they ask me to for anything, I say no. 
  15. I’m always concerned about other people not wasting things, yet I waste so much stuff everyday