0xf32dd1bd…79c7sent to0xa5bf9a9b…33a4·#22,355,004·view on Etherscan
Appcon took place on April 7–13 2025, with the goal of showcasing the best of Ethereum to the world.
Thanks to this proposal, Nouns took center stage and captured the attention of countless passersby through the mural and the indoor and outdoor showcases.
I'm posting this propdate to:
- Provide more context on each part of the proposal
- Share an update on the current state of deliverables
- Address concerns recently discussed among community members on Discord
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## Mural
### Context and Concerns
Some concerns were recently raised by community members about the mural not feeling nounish enough. At the same time, others appreciated its less commercial, more artistic nature.
Before suggesting possible ways to further emphasize the nounish identity (if that is the will of the community), I would like to share more background on the rationale behind the current design choices.
### The Concept Behind the Mural
A team of artists from ISIA Urbino was tasked with creating a mural under the theme: "Ethereum in Society". They identified three main verticals — social collaboration, free trade, and enabling connections — each represented by a primary color. Each artist then designed individual "bits" combining specific shapes, colors and linking them to specific keywords. The final mural is a collective composition of these bits, forming a "carpet" that reflects Ethereum’s multifaceted and decentralized nature.
| A comprehensive description of the rationale behind the mural, prepared by the artists, will be published in the coming weeks.
I approved the mural because:
- I personally loved the conceptual depth behind it.
- I appreciated how Nouns was referenced through the pixelated aesthetic and the democratic composition process, rather than simply placing a large pair of Noggles on top.
- During the event, the Nouns connection was evident thanks to the Noggles Rail installation placed right next to the mural.
What I recognized could have been improved was the communication of the concept to the public.
However, given the very tight event timeline (the entire event was organized in only 1.5 months, with the mural visuals only shared the week before the event) and the presence of the Noggles Rail, we decided to address this after the event — which is being done now.
Due to tight deadlines, I didn't think of seeking community feedback before approving the mural. Additionally, at that stage, it was still uncertain whether the proposal would pass, so the window for adjustments was extremely limited. While I believe my choice would not have changed given the circumstances, in retrospect, I should have asked for feedback anyway.
### Actions to Improve Nounishness
1. [Confirmed] QR Code Update: There is already a QR code on the mural linking to a blog post in italian made for the event. We plan to update it to redirect to a dedicated page that will:
- Explain the mural’s concept in detail
- Make explicit references to Nouns
- Link to Nouns websites and resources
- Provide information about related activities (such as the NFT collection)
2. [Confirmed] Large Banner on the Façade (115x440 cm): A large explanatory banner will be printed and installed next to the staircase, highly visible to passersby. It will include context about the mural’s meaning and clear connections to Nouns. Designs will be shared once ready. I believe this is the most effective way to reinforce nounishness without altering the original artwork.
3. [Unlikely] Partial Rework of the Mural: The artists are available to rework a section of the mural to emphasize Nouns more strongly. However, the building is owned by the commune and has strict regulations about visible logos and modifications. Given the anticipated pushback from the hosting venue and the additional time required to finalize, a rework will be explored but appears unlikely at this point. Instead, we are focusing on enhancing the facade explanation and QR codes. I will keep the community updated — final clarity on feasibility should come around mid-May, after the holiday period in Italy (Easter and national holidays).
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## Showcase
Nouns were also showcased as part of the design exhibition through:
- An iPad allowing visitors to interact with nounswap.wtf
- A looped video reel of Nouns Town LA, provided by Latsko
- Merch displayed at the Appcon Merch shop
The proposal anticipated a giveback of 7.5k to the DAO. Due to technical issues and the short timeline, it wasn’t possible to complete this during the event. However, we have plans to fulfill this through online campaigns over the coming months.
### Appcon Merch
Nouns merchandise was available for purchase in crypto during the event. However, crypto onramping remains a major bottleneck in Italy, and few items were sold on-site.
We plan to launch several online campaigns to sell Appcon merch. All profits will go directly to the DAO until the original giveback target is reached. Additionally, these campaigns will promote the giveback mechanism Slice will introduce across all stores.
### NFT Collection
From the start, we planned to create a generative NFT collection based on the mural's "bits," using fully onchain art. Due to tight event timelines, it wasn’t ready for launch during Appcon. We are now organizing the collection’s release with the artists, a renowned developer in the space, with support from various partners. The collection will be deployed on Base, with part of the profits returned to the DAO.