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Hominins by John Gurche

Hominins by John Gurche

ABOUT THIS COLLECTION

Homo sapiens are the only survivors of a once diverse group of ape-like and more modern hominins, collectively known as the hominins. So far the group includes around 20 known species.  What did those hominins look like? Paleo-artist John Gurche used the latest forensic techniques and fossil discoveries to create lifelike head reconstructions of early humans.

 

The Hominins Collection by John Gurche gives collectors a unique opportunity to get up close with our earliest ancestors and learn about human evolution. The collection consists of 12 painstakingly researched faces, 8 of which are on display in the Smithsonian Institution’s Hall of Human Origins.

 

COLLECTION DETAILS  

  • Series title: Hominins
  • Series size: 12 artworks
  • Edition: Limited edition of 88
  • Proof of Ownership: Certification on the Ethereum blockchain under the ERC1155 protocol. Each artwork is delivered privately and directly to collectors as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that guarrante proof of ownership.
  • Format: Pieces consist of mp4 looping video files sized 2160x2160 pixels - 150 dpi.
  • Medium: digital photography, post-production coloring, animation
  • Artwork materials:  clay, casting, 3D printing, silicone, acrylic, paint, bear hair, human hair
  • Contract Address: 0x495f947276749ce646f68ac8c248420045cb7b5e
  • ID: 2749212597480566...

 

ABOUT THE ARTIST  

One of the world’s foremost artists of human evolution, John Gurche’s work has appeared in 12 issues, including four covers, of National Geographic Magazine. It is also on display at the American Museum of Natural History, the Field Museum, and museums around the world. The Smithsonian’s Hall of Human Origins features 15 of his hominin reconstructions, eight of which appear in this collection. His work is based on more than 30 years of study of great ape and human anatomy, as well as study of original hominin fossils in Africa, Europe and Asia.

 

Using skeleton and soft-tissue anatomy, he painstakingly reconstructs the appearance of individuals in the human lineage. “Each reconstruction develops as a cumulative result of hundreds of anatomical decisions. I have a worksheet that’s 104 pages long, full of data and equations, that I use when I reconstruct a face,” he says. Currently artist-in-residence at the Museum of the Earth in Ithaca, New York, he is the author of two books: Shaping Humanity: How Science, Art and Imagination Help Us Understand Our Origins; and Lost Anatomies: The Evolution of the Human Form.

 

COLLECTION CREDITS  

  • Concept: HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)
  • Production: HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)
  • Creative direction: Victor Zabrockis & Marie-Lou Desmeules
  • Artwork: John Gurche
  • Post-production: Bwater Studios
  • Editorial: Braden Phillips
  • Executive production: Victor Zabrockis

 

RIGHTS OVERVIEW  

  • Source of artwork: Original artwork by artist commissioned by HARI Editions
  • Underlying work rights: All rights reserved ©2022 HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)
  • Digital copyrights: All rights reserved ©2022 HARI - Historical Art Research Institute (HARI Editions)

Discover more information about the 12 Artworks (historical NFTs) that are included in this collection.  Find name and descriptions of each piece below:

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