In a world of blockchains and financial freedom fantasies, the cowboy heartthrob of yesteryear rides back into town—with an unexpected twist. Michael Random pays satirical homage to the Web3 "liquidity seducers": characters as irresistibly charming as they are dubiously trustworthy. In this reimagining of the Bonanza classic, Michael, with his unmistakable swagger, gets his cheek tenderly caressed by a bearded woman who exudes confidence... and maybe a hint of Ponzi.

This piece captures the spectacle of empty promises and the allure of "heartthrobs" who, with a wink and a meme, win over hearts (and wallets) in the wild west of decentralized finance. A nostalgic yet biting take, perfect for anyone who knows the real adventure lies in dodging the next rug pull.

Sample from Bonanza.

Format: GIF, 25 fps, 256 colors, 1920 x 1080, 66,9 Mb.

Process: The initial step involved sourcing the footage. Subsequently, a rotoscoping technique. Layers were worked on and then exported. Analog video processing of independent layers occurred in vintage modified hardware. These elements were compiled within After Effects, where color adjustments were refined.