Background
Energy is a wallet co-owned by digital artists and creative technologists contributing expansive ideas and works onchain. These artist contributors are brought together by the ability of this wallet to publicly and democratically emphasize arts patronage across an array of actions that also enable participants the freedom to experiment and express the potent outcomes of artist-led coordination within a self-sustained, resource-sharing network unbound by institutional pressures or investor-driven constraints
People access the wallet through art auctions, gaining the ability to propose initiatives. Among these, the most utilized feature is withdrawing from the wallet, which has positioned Energy as an arts grants pool for the same buy-in contributors. The proceeds from the initial art auctions fund the wallet's resources, which are distributed through consensus and onchain voting by its members. This governance model is known as the Nouns Model. Since its inception, Energy has funded events, creative tools, commissions, installations, and studio spaces.
Zora Influence
Launched in August 2023, Energy emerged from a meme around Zora’s L2 launch. With Zorb derivative artwork by @0xen on Farcaster, it was founded by 13 contributors invested in Zora’s creative stewardship, onchain experimentation, and support for artist infrastructure. Energy is also the first Nounish DAO on the network.
The name “ENERGY” originates from the zora.energy domain but figuratively symbolizes how small sparks of intention can ignite a flywheel for reality creation—demonstrating how ideas and efforts can resonate and transmute across the globe, much like energy itself.
Since then, Energy has evolved into a meme of influence in its own right. Today, its members include distinguished art curators, platform owners, collectors, and a network of seasoned tool builders, all prepared to navigate and thrive in the hyper-evolving internet and digital landscape as it reshapes art, commerce, and culture.
The Zora paradigm (protocol, platform, and network) is a versatile and interoperable environment that supports a wide range of creative ideas. Zora Network supports the Zora creator platform and the development of the Zora Protocol, a tool suite enabling permissionless platform and tool creation. It embodies a vision for navigating Ethereum in its entirety through the lens of creativity.
Zora network is part of the Superchain Ecosystem, consisting of interconnected Ethereum Layer 2 blockchains built on the Optimism OP Stack. By bridging to Zora, people can operate as a single wallet or join a onchain collective like Energy, and access incentives from other Optimistic Layer 2s. With Energy launching on Zora network, it has already integrated as a participant in the Superchain. When Energy launched, it was with the belief that Zora Network could serve as an isolated hub for arts production—a space for NFTs and onchain products rooted in creative expression contrasting other L2s that were focused on traditional hyperfinancialized pursuits. The launch was an act of solidarity to arts, culture, and relationship-building, marking a commitment to the bit.
As we approach 2025, following cultural events like the Ethereum ETF and surpassing 100k BTC, the Ethereum ecosystem has achieved remarkable milestones in a short time. Key developments include the enmeshment of L2 networks within onchain applications that are reshaping UX, new paradigms like Privy, new token standards, Zora protocol upgrades, institutional investments, emerging competitors, and a refined development stack.
The progress is exhilarating, and as an individual entity, Energy is inevitably impacted, prompting it to adapt to this evolving current. To continue participating within the ecosystem’s culture while positioning itself to benefit from the many available incentives and opportunities, Energy must operate in tandem with these advancements. The cultivation of status and organizational strength is needed to navigate emerging merit systems and reputation frameworks effectively.
Where does Base come in?
When people build within the Superchain, they are not siloed. Individuals can interact with networks like Base, incubated by Coinbase, and in some applications, almost indistinguishable from others. The dynamic between networks is a culture of Ethereum interdependence and by design with little cost to participants. All the infrastructure for the actions that make up Energy, including Nouns Builder, is available to interact with on Base as well.
The industry is still currently in a context where the network that you're deployed on does affect the reach and how you are able to interact with others. Much like the initial choice to deploy on Zora network, it is a commitment to a shared thesis in the industry. Base's mission is to build a global onchain economy that accelerates innovation, creativity, and freedom. Building alongside Base signifies aligning with these values.
Benefits of Base
Base migration addresses Energy's community needs by providing mobility, resources, and expanded audience reach. The ecosystem offers essential tools, grants, and financial incentives. Base's interconnected design and high transaction volume create opportunities for: Treasury Growth: Increased auction and market participation. Ecosystem Participation: Enhanced recognition in Base-led initiatives. DeFi Access: Treasury diversification through native applications. Coinbase's backing provides trust, mainstream access, and institutional-grade security.
Energy’s Challenges:
Some of the current challenges that energy faces are independent from the network, just to list a few:
- Art and Auctions: Weak visuals disrupt engagement in auctions.
- Operations: We have issues with process audits and tools like GitHub.
- Communications: We need to improve our branding and social media presence.
- Onchain Participation: Fragmentation makes it hard to recognize contributions and get involved.
- Member Barriers: Lack of onboarding resources limits member participation.
- User Experience: We need better support for the Nouns Builder client.
- Post-Funding: After funding, there is often not enough follow-up and resources.
Proposal
Pursuing migration serves as an outlet for continuity, reflecting some of the frustrations voiced by the most vocal members of ENERGY. The proposition is an exploration of what it would look like to invite new members and re-engage existing ones within a new context.
The expectation is that this shift will provide an opportunity to reset and address larger challenges with the support of an extended community, while also tapping into the high transaction volume, which could contribute positively to funding new ideas. ENERGY, at its full potential, is an entity recognized as an artist in its own right, and ironically, it is currently navigating its way toward adaptation and self-expression.
Pre-Migration Technical Work:
When it is said to “migrate” it is a manual act of replication, Steps taking to replicate the launching on Base, Some things would need to be done prior
Organizational
- Purchase the ENERGY website domain
- Set up an organizational suite, including:
- Ops Working Group + Multisig for veto
- G-Suite for professional email addresses.
- One Pass for secure credential management.
- Reclaim Github Organization under new domain address and 2FA
- Vercel subscription for web deployment.
- mmm.page premium subscription for an interim splash page
Nouns Builder Deployment
Base Sepolia Testnet Deployment Requirements
- Airdrop with Holder Equity: Ensure proportional token distribution from L2 to L2, preserving fairness and ownership.
- Token and Art Consistency: Retain token IDs, metadata, and artwork intact and verifiable on L2.
- Provenance Links: Maintain visible and accessible links to the original Zora DAO for traceability.
- All of the tests taken on testnet will be replicated to mainnet upon success
Marketing & Launch
Community Support Initiatives
- Accessible educational materials and host online office hours for community members with the knowledge and tools to participate effectively.
Organize quarterly IRL Base Events, such as:
- Gallery showcases of artwork funded by ENERGY.
- Pop-up exhibitions highlighting ENERGY’s cultural and artistic contributions.
- Panel discussions with artists and technologists about the intersection of art, onchain culture, and collective coordination.
Submit a blog post to the Creative Applications Network, exploring ENERGY’s approach to experimental arts funding.
Post-Migration
ENERGY will continue to operate as a Nounish DAO, upholding its existing governance principles. Additionally, the new treasury will prioritize:
- Supporting new grants and artist-led initiatives.
- Strengthening operational infrastructure and marketing efforts.
- Expanding participation and onboarding new members.
Fund Allocation
The migration process involves significant technical and operational complexity, requiring extensive labor and resources. The cost of this initiative—including technical consultation, engineering, marketing, and community support—is projected to exceed $15,000.
A partial payment to initiate the ongoing effort with the remaining balance of the treasury offered as a token of commitment to service is our ask. This will also cover migration-related expenses.
