NFTopia Bern: Exploring NFT Music

NFTopia Bern: Exploring NFT Music

@KulturShock‍

Author: nema.eth

‍

What a moment, what an experience! The second edition of the NFTopia event was unique and memorable. Something that started as a fun experiment ended up being a truly magical moment where we experienced an improbable fusion of art, blockchain technology, and people.

On the 20th of January 2024, NFTopia: a co-creative spaceship, took place at the iconic Kultur Shock in Bern, Switzerland. The space is known for its alternative and underground Balkan-style music events, under the guidance of Mario Peric. This edition of NFTopia was paired with another legend in the hardcore-punk ex-Yugoslavian scene: Damir Avdic, who performed for all the participants.

‍

About NFTopia

NFTopia is indeed a co-creative spaceship: a physical space with real souls, mixed with digital art and value creation along nascent technological frontiers. This experience was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Helix Labs, Cerchio 91, Xocolat, Festival Hasard, Foodies, Kultur Shock, Amir Mušić and the Crazy Yugo Car Club. We also had the co-participation of many others who will be cited in the lines below.

The basic vision of NFTopia is to explore the possible utopian vision of artistic creation with true digital ownership, without the need for centralized powers and greedy intermediaries. The format from the first experience at NFTopia Lugano was proven to be successful; therefore, this time in Bern, we decided to upscale based on our initial vision.

NFTopia's vision, structure, and brand are malleable by design. It's slowly becoming more like a movement than an event management project. One of NFTopia's goals was also to create a moment for Helix Labs partners and community members to explore and learn from each other about possible NFT utilities in the art world. That grew into what we now call NFTopia Roundtables. Another significant goal was to provide a physical space for digital art to be expressed, which is the reason for the vernissage and art gallery we organized through this event. And last but not least, we also want to experiment with art and technology. In each NFTopia event, we aim to bring different experimental music, DJs, AI art, and something special to each moment.

NFTopia Bern had the honor of hosting several esteemed guests. Amir Mušić , an artist, musician, and influencer, not only actively participated in our discussions but also played a vital role in organizing the gallery exhibition and its promotion. Tiago Guerreiro and his partner Joana, visual and dance artists from Portugal, brought a fresh perspective and enriched our experience with their presence. Armin Konjalić, partnerships director at itez, provided invaluable insights into the web3 industry and brought a discerning artistic sensibility to the event. Milena Patagonia, a vocal addict producing trapped pop in Swiss German and Yugo language, brought her musical expertise to the space, engaging in insightful discussions about the NFT landscape. Lastly,Bane Brani Milosavljevic, a data scientist and marketing specialist, played a pivotal role in grounding our utopian vision of NFTs in reality.

NFTopia Bern Roundtable

In a co-creative process, the discussions and outcomes are very much related to the people participating in it. This is what we managed to achieve during the roundtable part of NFTopia in Bern. The main topic of this event was NFT Music, but it was also a continuation of our first and long discussion from NFTopia Lugano.

Although the environment felt a little bit cold (we were in the Kultur Shock's basement, and we had to wear warm clothes), the discussions were very vibrant and engaging. For most of us, having the opportunity to meet each other in person added a lot of intimacy to the exchange. Below, we will try to summarize it as much as possible, but of course, for such matters, there are no right amount of words that could explain it fully.

We started the discussion from the open point from NFTopia Lugano about "what are  NFTs". We presented different views and opinions on digital ownership, smart contracts, value creation, and more. We then slowly shifted to the uncharted domain of NFT Music. We all had different expectations and came from different backgrounds of understanding. The core questions raised can be summarized below:

• How can small musicians raise funds with NFTs?
• What is NFT Music, and how is the current marketplace?
• What are the current limitations of web2 platforms?
• How can an artist/musician make a living with such technologies?
• What is the current practical use?
• What are the main platforms and ways to use current social media in the NFT Music space?

These questions found multiple different answers and opinions, and many of them are so crucial that an entire book would not be enough to explore them fully. However, the idea is to gain a better perspective and brainstorm what it could look like in the future. From this encounter, we not only had dialogues and exchanges but also interesting ideas for future collaborations.

In fact, we would like to help co-create and explore uncharted territories in NFT Music with musicians. One of the top intuitions that came out was to build together a decentralized internet radio, where we can host emergent artists, have live DJ music shows, and conduct multi-language podcast interviews with interesting people. Follow us for more.

The Art Gallery

The art gallery and the whole vernissage part of the event were driven by Kevin's enthusiasm. His main vision for NFTopia from the beginning was to have an artistic digital gallery at Cerchio 91. That was also his first intuition and call to start this journey. You can find his interview on Cult+ on RSI (Swiss National TV) about NFTopia and our journey.

In Bern, the art gallery expanded to a whole new level. This time, thanks to the effort of Amir Mušić, who had the brilliant idea to make an open call on X for NFT artists to showcase their art and the possibility to be exposed in the gallery. The participation in the contest was unexpected. More than 250+ people participated, 55 got selected for the exposition, and 10 received a randomly generated Crazy Yugo NFT. We also managed to have NFTs from different blockchain ecosystems: Ethereum, Tezos, Cardano.

At NFTopia Lugano, we started experimenting with second-hand screens (old iPads, smartphones, screens, monitors), but in Bern, we upscaled it with some higher-quality monitors, also borrowed from our friend and artist Yuri Catania. Each of the exposed artworks had the artist's name, description, and a QR code with the link to the NFT art. Overall, the exposition was a success story and a pearl of NFTopia. From this event, we decided to buy and collect a few of the pieces and have them permanently exhibited at Cerchio 91 in Lugano.

The Music and Concert

The musical segment of NFTopia Bern was an integral part of the event's spirit, embracing alternative forms of music and experimental sounds. The highlight of the evening was the concert by Damir Avdic, a legendary figure in the hardcore-punk ex-Yugoslavian scene. His performance captivated the audience, immersing them in a blend of raw energy and rebellious spirit that resonated with the ethos of NFTopia.

Following Damir Avdic's electrifying performance, the night continued with a DJ party featuring Mario Peric, the owner of Kultur Shock. Mario's eclectic mix of music genres, combined with his unique approach to DJing, brought a dynamic atmosphere to the event. As the beats pulsed through the venue, attendees danced and celebrated the convergence of art, technology, and community.

This concert marked a significant moment for the NFTopia community, as it was the first time we organized such a musical event for our community members, the Crazy Yugo Car Club. It was a way to not only provide value to our community but also to foster connections and enjoyment through the shared experience of live music.

In embracing diverse musical experiences, from Damir Avdic's punk performance to Mario Peric's experimental DJ set, NFTopia demonstrated its commitment to exploring new horizons and pushing boundaries. This inclusive approach reflects the essence of NFTopia: a space where creativity flourishes, and innovation thrives.

‍

What's Next

What's next for NFTopia? As we reflect on the success of NFTopia Bern, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. We are committed to continuing this journey of exploration and collaboration, bringing forward the discussions sparked during the roundtables and pushing the boundaries of technology and artistic expression.

In the near future, we will announce the details of our next NFTopia event, which will once again take place in Lugano. Additionally, we are planning a special edition in Sarajevo, further expanding the reach and impact of NFTopia on a global scale.

As we move forward, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Whether you want to be part of our community or simply learn more about NFTopia, you can mint a Crazy Yugo or reach out to us at hello@helixlabs.ch.

Together, let's continue to explore the possibilities of digital art, technology, and community building through NFTopia.

Stay crazy,

nema.eth