bring to light the value of diversity and inclusivity to Web3.
Since the wake of the nonfungible token (NFT) boom, creators have
been leaving their Web2 entities in droves and are carving their own
lanes in the Web3 world.
It’s not just technologists and
artsy-creators who are pivoting toward Web3. For example, former
American professional baseball player Micah Johnson pivoted to painting
and focused his pieces on representation. In debuting his first digital
piece, sä-v(ə-)rən-tē (pronounced “sovereignty') Johnson was not only
fueled by adversity but inspired by a question that would change the
trajectory of his work.
“Can astronauts be black?” Johnson's four-year-old nephew asked his mother.
Alas,
the main character of “Akuverse'' was created in February 2021. Aku is a
physical depiction of the confidence and boldness of a little black,
astronaut navigating his way through his dreams. The characterization of
Aku challenges the notion that dreams are exclusive to certain social
identities.
The story of Aku is told via NFTs or chapters that depict the journey
of Aku’s dreams. Micah Johnson recently air-dropped 9,241 Akustar mint
passes to Aku chapter holders that are now trading at 4.85 Ether (ETH)
($14,331.65). In the last seven days, the Aku Mint Pass amassed over
$13.4 million as the Akustars got ready for their largest expedition yet
with a proof-of-profile (PFP) launch.
Akutars could be more than just another PFP
Akutars
is the three-dimensional 15,000 PFP collection of Akuverse, which will
also live on the Ethereum blockchain. The images are meant to empower
and the comments on Twitter prove that the story and imagery of Aku
resonated with a range of NFT collectors.
According to data from NFTgo, 60% of diamond-hand investors have held
their Aku Mint Pass 60% for more than a week, while approximately 30%
owners have held for at least a week.
Volume for Akutar Mint Passes has increased by 26% in the last seven days and the average sale price is up by 89%.
Akutars
are not only a symbol of confidence and courage, but also of style. The
collection will feature unique items and traits created by some of the
most notable names in streetwear like Pharrell Williams, Billionaire
Boys Club, ICECREAM, Puma and luxury streetwear expert Upscale Vandal.
Roc Nation’s streetwear label Paper Planes and New York-based luxury
label Who Decides War also helped design Akutars.
These strategic
partnerships are more than just drip for Akutars. Owners of the PFPs
will be granted a range of perks and incentives in the Akuverse, along
with real life access to exclusive experiences, collaborations and
products.
What could be unique about Akutars in relation to other
NFTs is the cultural significance of Aku and how his story has impacted
key players throughout the ecosystem who want to ensure the story is
heard.
Related: Despite the bad rap, NFTs can be a force for good
Ready to launch
On
October 13, 2021, Visa announced its partnership with Micah Johnson and
further plans to support the artist and the creator economy. In an interview with NBC,
Micah Johnson expressed his realization that there was an “audience
saying this is what we want in the world,” and they have shown support
by investing in the project .
In just a year, AkuDreams amassed
over $60 million in total volume sales across all ten Aku chapter NFTs
and Akutar Mint Passes. Johnson has also confirmed that Aku’s story will
be made into a feature film where the Aku chapters (NFT) may be
reflected in scenes.
As previously mentioned, 9,241 Aku Mint
Passes were distributed to all respective Aku chapter holders and 5,500
will be available for the public to mint in a Dutch auction on April 22.
In true Dutch auction fashion, the lowest bid within the auction will
set the price for everyone. This means that any bid higher than the
lowest will pay the lowest bid. Many NFT investors took to Twitter to
commend the intention of an “actual” Dutch auction, implying that other
projects who employed the same mechanism did not execute it properly.
The
increasing number of NFT auctions and drops make them difficult to
track and many go unnoticed. In hindsight, Moonbirds' 2.5 Ether ($7,385)
lock-in bid seems like a steal when compared to its current price.
This
suggests that investors give a lot of thought to the reputation and
credibility of a team and their history. It’s possible that Akuverse
reflects an evolution where the community resonates with the cultural
significance of diversity and inclusivity, rather than simply centering
around a product, brand or genre.
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source link : https://cointelegraph.com/news/here-s-how-the-akutars-nft-project-hopes-to-redefine-how-culture-intersects-with-web3
