This past weekend in Dubai marked the inaugural edition of a festival dedicated to digital art in its multifaceted forms—a real treat for enthusiasts of gaming, NFTs, the Metaverse, Phygital, and, of course, DAOs. “How was it?” – Maria Frąckowiak, Head of Operations at SMARTVerum, shares her insights.
Big Names on the List
The Arts DAO Fest, the largest Web3 event in the MENA region, took place at Dubai The Agenda from April 20th to 21st, 2024. The event brought together key figures from both the Web2 and Web3 worlds, including Yuga Labs, Polkadot, Linea and BMW. Additionally, industry giants like Zeneka, founder of Zenacademy; Sergej Kunz, co-founder of 1INCH Network; Sebastian Borget, co-founder of Sandbox; Punk6529, a Web3 thought leader; Minh Do, COO of Animoca Brands; and Eowyn Chen, CEO of Trust Wallet, were also in attendance.
Shaping Digital Culture
Arts DAO Fest hosted a multitude of events ranging from exciting Web3/YI panels to digital art exhibitions, augmented reality experiences, and entertaining parties. By welcoming prominent figures from the Web2 and Web3 worlds, the event provided participants with an unforgettable experience, uniting digital art enthusiasts, blockchain innovators, and Web3 enthusiasts worldwide.
“This is an industry event in a completely different atmosphere! You feel like part of a community there; you can be different, you can be free, and you can confidently interact with people radiating enthusiasm and excitement for a newly discovered world! Being at events like this, you realize that Web3 is not a fleeting trend, but an evolution happening around us, one that everyone will sooner or later become a part of. That’s why it’s so important to educate yourself about it now and be aware of what’s really happening! And the perfect place to learn the secrets of the Web 3.0 era is at conferences like Arts DAO Fest”—says Maria Frąckowiak from SMARTVerum—a family of projects that comprehensively serves enterprises in the art and new technology sector.
Creative Environment
The event provided participants with an inspiring experience, creating a space where creativity and innovation could thrive by intersecting Web3 culture with technology. Additionally, serving as a milestone for forging connections and collaborations within Web3 communities, the event showcased 420 unique artworks from talented artists worldwide. Winners of the competition held during the event were offered the opportunity to be featured in Forbes Web3 magazine. Furthermore, the 10 winners of the competition gained increased visibility through announcements made on stage.
Inspiring Experience for Attendees
Among the participants of the event, Yuga Labs announced the latest demo of Dookey Dash Unclogged, offering attendees the chance to pre-register for their upcoming games. The game, promising a $1 million prize, presented a significant opportunity for participants. Another participant, BMW, introduced an electric vehicle transition with a vehicle designed by Jeff Koons, while also unveiling a sound museum consisting of an NFT collection reflecting the iconic sounds of BMW’s traditional engines.
“Being a member of BYAC and MYAC while living in Dubai is something wonderful! During Blockchain Week, this community really showed its strength and power! Every time you meet someone at a conference with a monkey badge on their shirt or cap, you feel a special connection with them. It’s like meeting a close acquaintance. This club has that effect, especially the community in Dubai—you feel it’s kind of a family” Maria recalls.
The surprises in the world of virtual art don’t end there—but Dubai has already set the trends for the upcoming season! At Gamepost, we are thrilled to have been a partner in such an innovative event in the MENA region.
Author
Maria Frackowiak – a marketer with over 6 years of experience collaborating with various enterprises in the Web3 industry. Head of Operations at SMARTVerum & Influ.com. She currently lives in Dubai and helps projects build brand recognition in the MENA region and Asia.
