Matto – Shinkai

Strange <Block> Buddha

*Strange <Block> Buddha* offers deterministic and unique variations of the Buddhabrot with each new Bitcoin block. Diverging from traditional Buddhabrot renderings of the Mandelbrot set, Strange <Block> Buddha utilizes a unique coloration method and a rotating colour order that shifts with every Bitcoin difficulty period.

Echoing the early days of Bitcoin mining, this project performs the necessary computations with the CPU. As Bitcoin’s difficulty has increased over time, so too does the live output of *Strange <Block> Buddha*, expanding in scale and computational demands. At the upcoming halving, around block 840,000, the artwork’s scale will be 916 x 916 (839,056 pixels). At the last halving, it was 793 x 793 (628,849 pixels), and by the fifth halving, the dimensions will reach 1024 x 1024 (1,048,576 pixels). The project will produce a 9 Megapixel output (3000 x 3000 pixels) at block 9,000,000—over a century from now!

Significant moments in Bitcoin’s timeline are commemorated with special editions. The first block of a Bitcoin ‘blockday’ (144 blocks, starting from the genesis block) produces a Strange <Aurora> Buddha. The concluding block of a difficulty period creates a Strange <Dark> Buddha, while the midpoint block in a difficulty period creates a Strange <Midlight> Buddha. The rarest of all, the halving blocks, are commemorated with a Strange <Celebration> Buddha.

Using block height as the entropy source ensures that each rendering is one-of-a-kind—some appear brighter or darker, with distinctive emergent patterns. The generative script supports vast customization via URL parameters, including block height, iterations, brightness multiplier, SVG generation threshold, and a blockheight-endpoint override. Built-in file export and conversion features allow for easy image and SVG saving during live execution—simply press ‘S’ for an image or ‘V’ for a customizable SVG file, perfect for creative use and plotting. For an interactive experience and to monitor the project’s progress and status, open the console during live execution.