Hic et Nunc, often shortened to HEN, was a minimalist NFT marketplace that changed the way artists interacted with blockchain. Although the platform itself was simple and short-lived, its impact was powerful. What grew from it is now known as hicetnunc art — a creative movement built on low-cost minting, experimental visuals, community-led curation, and a deep belief in decentralised culture.

This article explores the origins of hicetnunc art, why the platform became a home for independent creators, how its culture formed, and why its influence continues long after the site’s closure. You’ll learn the steps artists often followed, how the movement compares to other NFT spaces, and what makes HEN’s creative legacy so unique.

What Is Hicetnunc?

Hic et Nunc (Latin for “Here and Now”) launched in 2021 as a lightweight NFT platform built on the Tezos blockchain. It stood out for one main reason: simplicity.

Key Features of the Platform

• Minimalistic interface
• Very low minting costs
• Energy-efficient blockchain
• No complex filters or ranking systems
• Open to creators from all backgrounds

With these qualities, the platform unintentionally attracted a wave of experimental artists who valued freedom over hype.

Understanding Hicetnunc Art

The term hicetnunc art does not refer to one specific style. Instead, it refers to a culture of digital creativity shaped by the platform’s values.

What Defines Hicetnunc Art?

• Experimental visuals: Glitch art, generative pieces, coding-based animation
• Low-cost minting: Artists from any country could afford to publish their work
• Community-driven exposure: No paid promotions or algorithm-based feeds
• Decentralised participation: Artists controlled their own galleries
• Eco-friendly minting: Tezos used very little energy compared to other chains

These elements helped create a global creative community that was different from mainstream NFT spaces.

Why Hicetnunc Art Became Popular

Although HEN was simple, artists around the world saw it as a revolution.

1. Low Costs Opened the Door for Everyone

Many emerging artists could not afford the high minting fees of platforms like Ethereum.
Hic et Nunc changed that.

2. Focus on Art, Not Fame

The site offered:

• No ranking systems
• No celebrity dominance
• No complicated marketplace mechanics

This pushed artists to explore freely without fear of being overshadowed.

3. Eco-Friendly Reputation

The platform became known for its green minting system, creating a new concern for sustainability in the NFT world.

4. Community over Competition

HEN users formed their own:

• Exhibitions
• Curated lists
• Pop-up galleries
• Online events

These community efforts helped hicetnunc art thrive even after the platform closed.

How Hicetnunc Art Influenced Digital Culture

Hic et Nunc did much more than host NFTs. It changed digital art communities in meaningful ways.

A Space for Experimentation

Artists felt free to experiment with:

• Algorithmic art
• 3D scenes
• AI-generated images
• Pixel animations
• VR-ready digital objects

Its minimal design encouraged creativity without limits.

New Forms of Collaboration

Artists created:

• Joint collections
• Community themes
• Group exhibitions

The open nature of the platform made collaboration natural.

Decentralised Culture

Instead of depending on large companies, artists built their own:

• Marketplaces
• Social spaces
• Curation groups
• Documentation archives

This reinforced the idea that art communities can run independently.

The Rise of Experimental Visuals

One of the strongest characteristics of hicetnunc art is experimentation.
HEN supported file types other platforms didn’t commonly allow, such as:

• Interactive HTML artworks
• Generative code projects
• Sound-based art
• Looped GIF animations
• Browser-based experiences

This made HEN a home for digital art forms that didn’t fit into traditional marketplaces.

Eco-Friendly Art: Why It Mattered

Hic et Nunc ran on Tezos, one of the lowest-energy blockchains.

Benefits of Tezos Minting

• Low energy use
• Minimal environmental impact
• Sustainable for long-term digital art growth

Many environmentally conscious artists specifically chose HEN because they did not want to mint on high-energy platforms.

Community-Driven Curation

Unlike larger NFT markets that rely on algorithms, HEN’s curation was human-driven.

How Curation Worked

• Artists created themed lists
• Users shared collections through social media
• Community galleries were created in the metaverse
• Events such as “OBJKT shows” became weekly traditions

This strengthened the identity of hicetnunc art and encouraged personal discovery.

Step-by-Step: How Artists Created Hicetnunc Art

Here is a simple walkthrough of how creators used to publish art on HEN.

Step 1: Prepare the Artwork

Artists created digital pieces, often in:

• GIF
• MP4
• PNG
• HTML
• Audio formats

Step 2: Connect a Tezos Wallet

A crypto wallet such as Temple or Kukai was used.

Step 3: Mint the NFT

Minting on Tezos was extremely cheap, giving artists more control over their output.

Step 4: List the Artwork

Artists set their own price, often keeping it affordable.

Step 5: Promote Through Community Spaces

Instead of ads, artists shared work through:

• Twitter
• Discord
• Community exhibitions

This grassroots approach helped shape the culture.

Comparison Table: Hicetnunc Art vs. Typical NFT Art

Feature	Hicetnunc Art	Typical NFT Art
Cost to Mint	Very low	High on Ethereum
Style	Experimental, diverse	Often commercial
Curation	Community-driven	Algorithm or marketplace-driven
Eco Impact	Low-energy minting	Higher energy usage
Accessibility	High—global artists	Often limited by costs
Focus	Creativity and exploration	Hype and sales

This comparison shows why hicetnunc art built a strong identity.

Why Hicetnunc Art Still Inspires Artists Worldwide

Even after the platform shut down, the values remained.

1. A Legacy of Openness

HEN proved that:

• Artists do not need expensive systems
• Creativity can grow in simple spaces
• Community can replace algorithms

2. New Platforms Adopted the Spirit

Many later platforms borrowed HEN’s ideas:

• Minimal interfaces
• Community curation
• Low-cost minting

3. Artists Continued the Movement

The community carried the culture into other spaces, keeping the spirit of HEN alive.

4. A Reminder That Art Belongs to Everyone

Perhaps the greatest impact of hicetnunc art is its message:
Digital art should be accessible, affordable, and open to all.

How HEN Changed Artist Mindsets

From perfection to experimentation

Artists learned to publish small tests, prototypes, and creative experiments.

From competition to collaboration

HEN’s community created shared projects instead of fighting for visibility.

From centralisation to independence

Artists built their own distribution networks.

This shift influenced how digital art communities operate today.

Challenges in the Hicetnunc Ecosystem

Though loved, HEN also had limitations.

Common Challenges

• Minimal interface made navigation harder
• Lack of filters sometimes overwhelmed new users
• Limited marketplace tools
• Sudden platform closure caused confusion

However, the community adapted quickly by building alternative front-ends.

Future of the Hicetnunc Art Movement

Decentralised Creativity

Artists continue to use the Tezos ecosystem to create experimental work.

New tools inspired by HEN

Developers now create platforms that:

• Support interactive art
• Offer low-energy minting
• Allow community-led curation

Global participation continues

Artists from developing countries especially benefit from the accessibility Tezos still offers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does “hicetnunc art” mean?

The term refers to the creative styles and cultural movement that grew around the Hic et Nunc NFT platform.

2. Why was Hic et Nunc unique?

It offered low-cost minting, minimal design, and strong community-driven curation.

3. Is hicetnunc art still active?

Yes. Even though the original site closed, the art movement and community continue on multiple Tezos-based platforms.

4. What styles are common in hicetnunc art?

Experimental visuals, glitch art, generative code, 3D pieces, and interactive HTML works.

5. Why was HEN popular with independent artists?

Because it was affordable, eco-friendly, and free from heavy commercial pressure.

6. Did hicetnunc art influence the NFT industry?

Yes — it demonstrated the value of decentralised culture, community curation, and eco-friendly minting.

Conclusion

hicetnunc art represents more than just NFTs—it symbolizes a shift in digital creativity. Born from a simple platform, it became a global movement built on experimentation, accessibility, eco-friendly minting, and grassroots community support. Even after the platform closed, its influence remains strong as artists continue to create, collaborate, and expand on its values.

For many creators around the world, hicetnunc was proof that art does not need expensive tools or flashy technology to thrive. Instead, it needs openness, community, and the freedom to experiment. That is the true legacy of hicetnunc art, and it continues to inspire digital artists everywhere.