GENUINE UNDEAD is a purist-digital-collectors’ paradise. The ideation, the name, the green-papers, the legendary 8, the nomenclature, the categorisation, the mystery, the clairvoyance, the gift, the sacrifice, the story & the community outline the spirit, philosophy & ethos of the ecosystem. This all together is what makes GU shine.
Here’s putting together some non-chronological guidelines that will help curate the collection of anyone who “finds” GU. However, even after 3 & ½ years, every single day we continue to find depths & angles that surprise us, so yes GU will forever evolve. Some questions will always remain unanswered, just like life itself.
1. PERSONAL CHOICE
Everyone has a certain inclination as per their journey in life. Some like the CLASSICS and others the CYBERS. Some go all in on a single trait, some diversify. Some like CLEAN, others COMPLEX. Some BLUE, some RED. Be completely and genuinely YOU here, and your GUs will find you.
2. AESTHETICS
IMO, this is an abstract concept and depends on what “you” perceive as beautiful – some find beauty in the clean ones, some in complexity, some in subtle & some in loud. Sometimes others agree, and sometimes they don’t. Do what attracts “you” the best.
3. RARITY
Rarity does play its part and drives demand. The rarer ones are without a doubt highly coveted, and extremely beautiful. But remember it is not ALL IMPORTANT at GU. The aesthetics sometimes overpowers rarity. Also, if you’re buying it to resell at a point, remember that art does not have instantaneous liquidity, and it may be a long haul.
4. TRAIT COMBINATIONS
The agreement of traits is also an important factor to consider. For example, a Biker Jacket Sailor Hat may be cool, but imagine a Biker Hat Biker Jacket. Regardless, each GU is precious.
5. FULL-SETS
As implied, this is when all traits harmonize. Example Sailor Hat Sailor Shirt Mist Full Bent Pipe. Sometimes 2/3 perfectly matching traits can also be considered FULL SETS – Example being even Sailor Hat Sailor Shirt, in connection to this example.
6. COLOR COMBINATIONS
Some GUs simply shine because of their colorways alone: Bone Sky, Flesh Midnight. In some just 2 colours are enough, whereas some have a plethora and are yet 100% harmonious.
7. 3Ts
These are the simpler yet most complex GUs IMHO, using only 3 traits to express. 260/10000. RARE.
8. 4Ts & 5Ts
The 4-traits & 5-traits form the bulk of the collection. These are the cleaner ones. This is where the gems lay.
9. 6Ts
The mastery of using “6” traits in a 24*24-pixel grid and still make complete sense will wow you when you look at the max-trait GUs. Rare AF.
10. 2.5Ts
These are the 3Ts with some part of their face missing – JAW or FACELESS or FACECRACK. GU connoisseur’s choice.
11. 3.5Ts
These are the 3Ts with a 1 trait ( which cannot be a headwear ) like bandanas or shades. 110/10000. Note: 4.5 & 5.5 Ts follow same principles too.
12. CYBER 3T
As the name goes, these are 3Ts with "cyber" traits. 14/10000. Super rare.
13. SUB COMMUNITIES
Always a good idea to support the sub-communities within GU – The Watchers, The Paperboys, etc. A bonus for sure if you can find a rare/ aesthetic one. Methinks these will be the first to disappear completely from listings.
14. 4T TWINS
Again, as the name implies, a 4-trait twin match is rare to find. Very few collectors have them. There aren’t any 5-trait or 6-trait twins in the collection so don’t waste your time.
15. 3T TRIPLETS
Here too, there are no 4/5/6 trait triplets, so try and find a 3-T triplet to flaunt if you have the grit of a deep collector. Triple Check!!
16. 3T QUADRUPLETS
Imagine that – Four matching 3Ts!! The collection does have a few, but this is super duper difficult to collect. I’ve seen only 1 collected yet. Good Luck!!
17. CLEAN
Some of us prefer to have them clean and others like 'em complex. The positives of clean are things like clear, high-contrast, crisp, sharp, impactful & recognizable. Sometimes also perceived as too simple, unimaginative & boring. Totally a personal call here.
18. COMPLEX
The opposite of a clean PFP is one with many components that contast together. But just like real life, its existence is proof of its imperfect perfection. "Complex" etymologically means to entwine around or to embrace. This choice is rich, colourful, detailed, captivating and excites senses for many! You do you.
19. MONOCHROME
We love our monochromes. In all shades. Something about the purity just hits you subtly, but with full force.
20. TRAIT MATCHES
Unlike full-sets, even in contrasts, you can find cohesion. For example, an Army Helmet would still go very well with a Yokosuka, but not so much with a GYM JACKET. Like a biker jacket would still go very well with a Sailor Hat, but not so much with a Rose Crown. Regardless, each GU is a diamond!!
21. CYBER OR CLASSIC PREFERENCE AND BALANCE
TBH, most of us are inclined towards classics ( which express the past ) whereas the Cyberspunks are rarer. They represent the future. And they’re as aesthetically pleasing, just that it takes a special futuristic kinda brain to recognize this. We do have a few connoisseurs who are completely into cybers. We suggest to keep a balance. 3996 Cyberpunk & 5995 Classic exist.
22. SUITS - PREFERABLY A BLACK & A BLUE
Haha! As the title goes here, one is for the more serious occasions, and the other for everyday decentralization or even for fun. Try to get 1 each for sure.
23. ONE FOR THE “UNDEAD ARMY”
Being a part of the Undead Army is a soft mandate. Try and keep a fighter for the occasion. BTW, this army is not about war, but instead love.
24. SPECIAL NUMBERS
Not the simple numerology that you know of – think 0001, 9999, 1776, 666, 777, 1420, …
25. EASTER EGGS
This is a hidden level, the artist’s signature, adding an extra layer of fun and rewarding attentive users. There are bonus hidden jokes, cultural nods, secret features, inside references, historical figures, pop culture nods, vocations, avocations, movie stars, myths, mystery, and some unexplainables. If you look hard enough, you can find Clint Eastwood, TMNT Raphael, Robert De Niro ( Taxi Driver ), Roy Batty, Ernest Borgnine, Marlon Brandon, …
26. SMILEY JACKET - FOR THE CULTURE
Pure GU culture – Get a “SMILEY JACKET” ASAP. This is also GU’s cross-project element – FU, Michelin, Undead2043, Notdead1974, Kushlings, …
27. NIHON PAINT - TO CELEBRATE LAYNE
Still elevating the original GU art to the next level on the world stage -
@Sygo__ is one of the 1st ones that started this and that too all by himself. Go get a “NIHON” to celebrate “LAYNE”, the protagonist of the Undead2043 story.
28. CLUB 1/1 & JUNGLE PAINT FAM
Not at all your regular elite clubbers that have airs, but instead a genuine "family". And with the FREEMINT everyone had a fair chance so it’s not elitist or gated in any way. Even now if you can shell out/ trade to join these two clubs, beyond the entry gate, you will find truly humble humans. Setting aside the finances involved, this is still pretty difficult to get in to. All I can say is that If you can find someone willing to part with theirs, you definitely should go all in.
29. MIDNIGHT GUs
The “MIDNIGHT” background is special to most of us. Not a favourite for all, but a must-have for sure. It just highlights any GU in a very unique way. Grab 1 at least.
30. PROVENANCE & HISTORIC GUs
Firstly (unpopular opinion though), try to lock a couple of “GU Origins” as they stand for provenance. Secondly keep in mind the “historic GUs” like 1st one minted, 1st one posted by GU artist online, 1st migrated GU, GU #1, War, Love,
31. HIDDEN TRAITS
Interesting one here – two facets to it – first, being that the trait is hidden second that you have a FULLFACE MOD. Sometimes you want something but don’t want to flaunt it straight-up – the choice of a subtler showcase. Some collectors love this angle.
32. NO-FACE GUs
Another coveted type of GU – where the face is almost completely hidden away. Requisites are BANDANA HEADWEAR SHADES ( sometimes without shades ), and you have very few face pixels showing. The lesser face shown, the more desirable. An absolute collector’s item. You’ll have to really hunt for these.
33. TRAIT HIGHLIGHTERS
Sometimes we choose GUs that highlights particular traits, instead of one whose colourways make the trait get lost/drowned/merged amongst others. A crude way to explain this is if you’re preparing Pepper-chicken, the other ingredients should not steal the show – the pepper should be the biggest showcase, and of course you can’t do this without the chicken. Haha.
34. CROSS-OVER GUs
These are GUs with traits that are found in both classics & cybers. There are only 2 such traits – one of them is HORNS. Another interesting fact is that this is the only trait which has 1 name for two colours/ variants of the same trait. Also, go search the other cross-over trait.
35. HONOURING THE OGs:
Some traits match and celebrate CRYPTOPUNKS and some other OG projects. Example Zombie, Shades, Watch Caps, Fedora, Bandana, Pipe, etc. So if you own pieces from one of the collections, a matching one from the other collection makes sense. BTW, even though here the names may match/ derive, the art of GU remains far ahead and unmatched – you will be able to tell for yourself.
36. GU LORE
Also important is remembering the GU lore – early stories, Watch Cap comics, Clark Cadaver, Layne Lore, GU-Universe Lore, Love-War lore, . These are all community standards built in time, and very precious to all of us at GU.
37. CULTURAL INSPIRATIONS
GU also celebrates Societal Influences & Historical Precedents – Blue-Red, Yokosuka, Ninja, Le Jacket, Fedora, Bloody Mary, Philosopher, Poncho, Fisherman sweater, Pots, Samurai, T, Zig Zag paints…Find the one that ties to you!!
38. SUI GENERIS TRAITS
Some special traits like Entomologist, Jaw, B3, Open Mind, Ed, Silver Tear, Facecrack, are unique to GU, and are very highly appreciated and coveted by the fam. See if you can find yours. Special note: Most Cyber traits are unique to GU.
39. RED PILL - BLUE PILL
Get a LOU. And a ROY. Non-negotiables.
41. RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT & LIQUIDITY
Last but not least, only invest what you can set aside from your IRL scene. And remember that the right/ desired/ fair liquidity is only possible when the right collector comes along - and that may be a while. Instead of a hype-train, we’re marathoners, so plan wisely.
*** BONUS: You "HAVE" to check out the super-informative, in-depth & eye-opening GU threads on X by
@Liquidity_Art when you have time. His research will give you that extra GU edge.
Thank you for reading!! Do lemme know if I’ve missed anything. LFGU!! 🍻
@GenuinelyUndead |
#GenuineUndead