# 256ART

> 256ART is an open platform for fully on-chain (also written onchain or in-chain) generative art. Modern releases store their code, traits and metadata on the blockchain and expose live artwork through the collection contract. Collectors can retrieve and render the work without the 256ART website. Live on Ethereum, Base and Shape.

Key facts:

- Every modern 256ART release is fully on-chain by default: the generative algorithm, traits and metadata are assembled from smart contracts rather than a hosted metadata endpoint or IPFS. The first eight OG series use an earlier architecture and should be evaluated individually.
- Each mint is a unique variation produced by the artist's algorithm from a hash or collector-chosen seed.
- The collection's ERC-721 tokenURI returns inline chain-built metadata, while tokenHTML returns the browser-renderable live artwork; an optional hosted image is only a lightweight preview.
- Supported networks: Ethereum mainnet, Base and Shape.
- Anyone can apply to release art through the artist portal; the platform is open rather than invite-only.

## Main pages

- [Homepage](https://256.art/): platform overview and latest releases
- [Artworks](https://256.art/artworks): all on-chain generative art collections, searchable and filterable by chain and tags
- [Artists](https://256.art/artists): the artists releasing work on 256ART
- [Learn](https://256.art/learn): research-led guides to generative-art history, algorithms, collecting, licensing, on-chain preservation and 256ART's contract architecture
- Individual artworks live at https://256.art/artwork/[name] and artists at https://256.art/artist/[name]

## Learn

- [What Is Generative Art?](https://256.art/learn/generative-art)
- [What Is Algorithmic Art?](https://256.art/learn/algorithmic-art)
- [A History of Generative and Algorithmic Art](https://256.art/learn/history-of-generative-art)
- [Designing Deterministic Generative Art](https://256.art/learn/deterministic-generative-art)
- [What Does On-Chain Art Really Mean?](https://256.art/learn/what-is-on-chain-art)
- [On-Chain vs IPFS vs Arweave](https://256.art/learn/on-chain-vs-ipfs)
- [Is L2 On-Chain Art Really On-Chain?](https://256.art/learn/l1-vs-l2-on-chain-art)
- [How to Verify On-Chain Art](https://256.art/learn/verify-on-chain-art)
- [Live Generative Artwork vs Preview Image](https://256.art/learn/live-artwork-vs-preview)
- [The Three Artwork Licenses on 256ART](https://256.art/learn/256art-artwork-licenses)
- [How to Evaluate a Generative Art Collection](https://256.art/learn/evaluate-generative-art)
- [Inside a 256ART Token](https://256.art/learn/inside-256art-token-uri)
- [What Happens If 256ART Disappears?](https://256.art/learn/if-256art-disappears)

## Technical documentation

- [Understanding 256ART](https://docs.256.art/learn-more/understanding-and-navigating-256art/): how the platform works for collectors
- [Artist documentation](https://docs.256.art/artist-documentation/why-choose-256art/): how to release fully on-chain generative art

## Social

- [Twitter/X](https://x.com/Mint256ART)
- [Instagram](https://instagram.com/Mint256ART)
- [Discord](https://discord.gg/wpzVRdcjns)

Contact: info@256.art