Nfts
Hackathon winners see opportunities in using creativity
Sherab Lhamo
Wangdrak Dorji, 22, who recently won the non-fungible token (NFT) hackathon, said he had more to offer.
His NFT featured a line drawing of Zhabdrung seated against a desho background.
Wangdrak said: “As you purchase more NFTs, you will gradually see a mandala, with more layers and details. When someone buys this NFT for the first time, they will only see Zhabdrung. Slowly, as he continues to purchase and compile, it will unwrap like a gift. »
The idea, he said, was to involve NFT collectors.
The 16 participants of the hackathon, held on June 10, created an NFT based on the 18th century Zhabdrung Phuensum Tshogpa Thangka.
NFTs are digital assets stored on the blockchain. Unlike cryptocurrencies which are fungible and interchangeable, NFTs are distinct and irreplaceable.
The top three NFTs will be promoted and included in the museum’s NFT collection.
Trishan Sharma, the first runner-up, created a 3D digital art of lhakang with a life-size thangka displayed inside, with palm trees near the lhakang.
Third prize winner Tashi Wangchuk designed a digital art of Zhabdrung with two dragons in the upper corners on both sides.
Wangdrak Dorji received a two-night stay at Postcard Dewa, sponsored by Postcard Dewa; the first runners-up received a DELL laptop, sponsored by Dheyma Global Ventures Pvt. Ltd.; and the third runner-up received a Samsung mobile phone, sponsored by Sangsel Eco Trade & Environmental Services.
Another participant, Jigme Dorji Tobgyal, 19, created an NFT of Zhabdrung sitting on the grass. He said the idea of Zhabdrung sitting in nature was to show humanity’s connection with nature.
The hackathon aimed to integrate Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage with cutting-edge blockchain technology to create non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that can be enjoyed around the world.
Wangdrak Dorji said he learned about NFTs and the business side of cryptocurrency, especially branding, through a hackathon.
The inspiration for his digital arts came from the thangkas and religious paintings he made for his friends.
Chanel Lee, one of the trainers, said NFT technology could become a bridge between Bhutan’s artistic heritage and a global audience of collectors. She highlighted the potential of smart contracts, including innovative applications like the winner’s dynamic NFT.
“This will definitely attract the attention of other creators of new things in this space,” Chanel said. “By using NFTs to prove ownership of artworks and artifacts, we can guarantee their origin and authenticity for centuries to come. Once something is on the blockchain, it’s there forever and you can’t delete it. And that permanence fits perfectly with Bhutan’s cultural values.”
An official from the Dzongkha Department of Culture and Development (DCDD) said the hackathon was part of Bhutan’s commitment to embrace digital transformation while preserving its cultural heritage.
The basis of this unique collection of digital assets will be based on over 6,000 museum objects from different museums across the country, including the National Museum of Bhutan in Paro, the Royal Heritage Museum in Trongsa and the Textile Museum in Thimphu.