Hicetnunc art refers to experimental NFTs originally minted on the Hic Et Nunc marketplace, a low-fee NFT platform built on the Tezos blockchain. Although the original site shut down in 2021, its NFTs still exist on-chain and continue to trade on platforms like Teia and Objkt.

What Is Hicetnunc Art?

Hicetnunc art describes digital artworks minted on the Hic Et Nunc NFT marketplace, an influential platform launched in 2021 on the Tezos blockchain. It quickly became popular for low minting fees, environmental efficiency, and an open artistic culture.

Unlike many NFT platforms focused on speculation, Hic Et Nunc emphasized:

  • Artistic experimentation

  • Accessibility for emerging creators

  • Community-driven creativity

  • Decentralized ownership

Because NFTs exist on the blockchain, the artworks remain accessible even after the original site closed.

Origin Story and Cultural Impact

Hic Et Nunc (Latin for “Here and Now”) was created by Brazilian developer Rafael Lima as an experiment in decentralized digital art communities.

Why It Became Influential

Factor Impact
Low transaction fees Accessible to new artists
Eco-friendly blockchain Reduced environmental criticism
Minimalistic interface Focused attention on art
Community governance Encouraged collaboration

Many artists from emerging regions found it easier to showcase work here compared with high-cost Ethereum NFT platforms.

How Hic Et Nunc Worked

tezos nft minting process

The Minting Process

Artists created NFTs known as OBJKT tokens:

  1. Upload artwork

  2. Add metadata

  3. Mint on Tezos blockchain

  4. Sell or trade via marketplace

These tokens stay permanently recorded on-chain even if the interface disappears.

Why the Original Platform Shut Down

In late 2021, the Hic Et Nunc frontend unexpectedly went offline. However:

  • Smart contracts stayed active

  • NFTs remained accessible

  • Community developers created forks and alternatives

This highlighted a key blockchain principle:

Platforms can disappear — but decentralized assets persist.

Where Hicetnunc Art Exists Today

Main Successor Platforms

Platform Role Key Benefit
Teia Community fork of HEN Open-source continuation
Objkt Largest Tezos NFT marketplace Wide visibility
Versum Art-first marketplace Minimalist UX
fxhash Generative art hub Algorithmic NFTs

Teia specifically originated as a fork of the original HEN platform.
Objkt is now the largest NFT marketplace on Tezos.

Tezos Blockchain Advantage for NFTs

Tezos uses a Proof-of-Stake system that is:

  • Energy efficient

  • Lower cost

  • Community governed

This made it appealing for environmentally conscious digital artists.

Hicetnunc vs Modern NFT Marketplaces

Comparison Platform Comparison Graphicf Tezos NFT marketplaces

Marketplace Comparison Table

Feature Hic Et Nunc Teia Objkt
Status Closed frontend Active fork Largest marketplace
Fees Very low Low Low
Community focus Strong Strong Broad ecosystem
Ease of use Simple UI Familiar HEN style Advanced tools
NFT visibility Limited now Growing High liquidity

How to Find Hicetnunc Art Today

Practical Steps

  1. Get a Tezos wallet (Temple, Kukai)

  2. Buy XTZ cryptocurrency

  3. Visit Teia or Objkt marketplaces

  4. Search “HEN,” “OBJKT,” or artist names

  5. Verify artist authenticity before buying

Many original HEN artists now list work across multiple Tezos platforms.

Benefits of Hicetnunc Art Ecosystem

For Artists

  • Lower minting costs

  • Strong creative community

  • Experimental artistic freedom

  • Environmentally friendly blockchain

For Collectors

  • Affordable NFT entry point

  • Diverse experimental art

  • Active global creator network

Challenges and Limitations

Key Concerns

Issue Explanation
Platform instability Original site closure shocked users
Market fragmentation Multiple successor platforms
Lower mainstream exposure Compared to Ethereum NFTs
Verification difficulty Some legacy works require research

Understanding these factors helps avoid confusion.

Safety Tips for Collectors

  • Verify artist wallet addresses

  • Avoid unofficial mirrors

  • Check transaction history

  • Use secure wallets

  • Research platform reputation

Blockchain transparency helps, but caution remains important.

Future of Hicetnunc-Style NFT Art

Despite its closure, the movement continues to influence:

  • Decentralized art platforms

  • Eco-friendly NFT initiatives

  • Community-governed marketplaces

  • Experimental digital art trends

The ethos of accessibility and artistic freedom remains strong.

FAQs

Is Hic Et Nunc still active?

The original site closed, but NFTs remain on blockchain and trade through Teia, Objkt, and other marketplaces.

What does OBJKT mean?

OBJKT refers to NFTs minted using the Hic Et Nunc contract standard.

Is Tezos better for NFTs?

Many artists prefer it for low fees and energy efficiency.

Can I still buy Hicetnunc art?

Yes — primarily through successor marketplaces.

Is HEN art valuable?

Value depends on the artist’s reputation, rarity, and demand.

High-Authority Sources Used

Plus blockchain documentation and NFT ecosystem analyses cited above.

Final Conclusion

Hicetnunc art represents more than a marketplace — it symbolizes a decentralized, community-driven digital art movement. Even though the original platform disappeared, its NFTs continue to thrive through Tezos marketplaces like Teia and Objkt, proving that blockchain art can outlive the platforms that created it.

For artists and collectors seeking affordable, eco-friendly NFTs, the hicetnunc art ecosystem remains highly relevant today.