Singapore-based NFT commercialization company, Bored Island Group, is set to make history with the opening of BIGHAUS, the world’s first public, physical profile picture (PFP) NFT gallery. Located in Whampoa, near the popular Wheeler’s Yard café, BIGHAUS will showcase a curated collection of prominent blue-chip NFT series, including Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), CryptoPunks, Goblin Town, Doodles, Kaiju Kings, and Azuki NFT collections. The gallery, developed in collaboration with various NFT clubs, is slated to open its doors on May 20, 2023.
The debut collection at BIGHAUS is estimated to be worth S$33.7 million and will feature a unique speakeasy-like setting. Collectors will have the opportunity to display their NFTs on screens and projectors surrounding the gallery space, creating an immersive experience for visitors. Local clubs such as the 250-member strong Bored Ape Singapore Club, CryptoPunks Club SG, Goblin Town, Doodles, and others have contributed to the collection, ensuring a diverse and compelling display of NFT art.
BAYC and CryptoPunks, two of the most sought-after blue-chip NFT collectibles, will undoubtedly be the highlight of the gallery. The valuable collections have attracted high-profile enthusiasts, including American rapper and actor Snoop Dogg, who owns nine CryptoPunks, two of which are valued at over US$2 million (S$2.67 million) each. Additionally, Brazilian football player Neymar possesses two BAYC NFTs.
Jaye Foo, Founder of Bored Island Group and a well-known local celebrity, expressed his inspiration behind BIGHAUS, drawing from the success of his previous venture, The Parlour, Singapore’s first NFT bar and lounge. The Parlour, which gained significant attention upon its launch last year in both Singapore and Seoul, bridged the gap between physical and digital creative spaces for music fans. Now, Foo aims to recreate a similar effect for art enthusiasts with BIGHAUS.
The gallery’s grand opening event, APEHOUSE 5, will take place on May 20 from 3PM to 6PM at BIGHAUS. It will serve as a relaxed get-together for BAYC collectors and mark the beginning of a partnership between Bored Island Group and the metaverse platform, The Sandbox. At the event, The Sandbox plans to launch playable BAYC Voxel Avatars, a series of 3D avatars based on the Singapore Club’s BAYC NFTs, designed to be interoperable within The Sandbox metaverse. Collectors can effortlessly access their Voxel avatars by connecting their cryptocurrency wallets to The Sandbox, establishing a connection between the avatars and the NFTs’ metadata.
To facilitate the event, Bored Island Group has collaborated with event ticketing company Peatix to develop a token-gating feature. This function allows Singaporean BAYC NFT collectors exclusive access to the event, ensuring a secure and verified attendance. Participants must connect their digital wallets and verify their NFTs at apehouse.peatix.com for entry. Moreover, Bored Island Group has released a limited edition Bored Ape Singapore Club T-shirt, exclusively available to the first 80 event attendees.
Jaye Foo emphasized his vision for BIGHAUS, stating that showcasing NFT artwork physically within a gallery setting adds a heightened sense of thrill for art aficionados, particularly for skeptics of digital art. BIGHAUS aims to be a space where visitors can appreciate this new art form while exploring the dimensions of Web3 in a real-world context.
Beyond being a gallery, BIGHAUS doubles as an event space, offering various amenities such as a Karaoke room, foosball tables, retro arcade machines, beer pong tables, moveable furniture, a speaker system, and a 150″ projector. Bored Island Group has also partnered with an event management company to handle events held in the gallery.
With the launch of BIGHAUS, Bored Island Group is looking to expand its NFT exhibitions to other countries. Additionally, the company plans to host regular NFTs and Web3 workshops for the public. The partnership between Bored Island Group and The Sandbox holds promise for the development of exciting experiences on the metaverse platform, signifying a bright future for NFT commercialization.
As the world eagerly awaits the opening of BIGHAUS, it is evident that the intersection of physical spaces and digital art is paving the way for groundbreaking experiences and redefining the art landscape in the Web3 era.
