Sogo/Seibu Co., Ltd.
NFT Marketplace “NFT PRODUCED by SEIBU SOGO” demonstration experiment starts on June 10th (Monday)
First digital art initiative at a department store
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From June 10th (Monday), Sogo/Seibu will begin a demonstration experiment of the NFT marketplace “NFT PRODUCED by SEIBU SOGO,” the first of its kind among department stores, and will begin a new initiative in digital art. Until now, digital art has had the problem of being easy to copy, but with the advent of NFT, “NFT art” that applies the characteristic of NFT that it is difficult to copy is attracting attention. On the other hand, the hurdles for participation in NFT art are high, and it has not yet become commonplace. Therefore, Sogo Seibu will open an in-house operated NFT Marketplace based on the concept of “a social networking place using NFT as a medium” as a place for digital exchange between customers and artists. We aim to have more people enjoy NFT art by taking advantage of the
characteristic of being a department store with many customer points of contact.
The first NFT products from Sogo and Seibu include the first NFT art by underwater photographer Yasuaki Kagii and NFT art from the popular NFT collection “MetaKozo.” We plan to continue to develop artists and sell their works.
Through “NFT PRODUCED by SEIBU SOGO,” Sogo/Seibu will provide new experiential value by creating a place that connects many creators with customers, creators with each other, and customers with each other.
*NFT (Non-Fungible Token) = Possible to clarify the ownership of data using the blockchain mechanism
*NFT Marketplace = Internet trading site that issues and distributes NFTs *NFT art = Artwork linked to NFTs issued using the blockchain mechanism NFT marketplace demonstration experiment overview
■Opening date: Monday, June 10, 2024 from 10:00 a.m.
■Exhibited works: 5 artists, approximately 100 works planned ■NFT Marketplace Name: “NFT PRODUCED by SEIBU SOGO”
■Site URL: https://nft.sogo-seibu.jp/ *Opening from 10am on Monday, June 10th concept
Based on the concept of “creating a new place of communication using NFT as a medium,” we will create a place for digital exchange for both customers and artists. Through the experience of “owning and supporting NFTs,” we aim to provide new experiential value and make NFTs more familiar to more people.
Advantages of our company working on the NFT marketplace
(Feeling safe knowing that it is operated by a department store) By operating the NFT Marketplace, which has many opportunities to be used by a wide range of customers, from basements of department stores to fashion, interior design, and product exhibitions at event halls, NFTs can be used by customers who have been interested in NFTs but have not had the opportunity to use them until now. Customers who previously had psychological hurdles can now use the service with peace of mind.
(Utilization of real space)
Taking advantage of the characteristic of a department store, which has a physical location in an easily accessible location, it is also possible to promote and propose works at the store. By doing it in a real place, it will also be an opportunity for more people to learn about NFT art. From April 23rd (Tuesday) to April 29th
(Monday/holiday), 2024, we held a POPUP event to announce the popular NFT collection “MetaKozo” at the Seibu Shibuya store.
(Network with artists)
We have a fine arts and art department in our stores and regularly hold art-related events, so we have a network with many artists. Utilizing that network, it is also possible to introduce unique artists who have not entered the existing NFT market. The artist exhibiting this time, Hayato Koga, had the experience of holding a solo exhibition at the Seibu Shibuya store in March 2022, and underwater photographer Yasuaki Kagii had the experience of exhibiting his work at the Art Capsule at the Seibu Ikebukuro main store in September 2022. there is. This is the first time that Mr. Kagii’s NFT art work will be exhibited on our NFT marketplace.
[Image 1: https://prtimes.jp/i/31382/1798/resize/d31382-1798-23f4eb4eb7070d858456-0.jpg&s3=31382-1798-92773cec877fc23144f10a07cb59a0ce-860×645.jpg] [Advance announcement event held at Seibu Shibuya store in April this year]
[Image 2: https://prtimes.jp/i/31382/1798/resize/d31382-1798-84744b5f3f5fc53246f1-0.jpg&s3=31382-1798-eeae45cff85a940434642e78604af6e7-701×394.jpg] [Hayato Koga’s solo exhibition held at Seibu Shibuya store in March 2019] Features of our NFT marketplace
(Using public chain for blockchain)
Regarding blockchain, we have adopted “Ethereum” and “Polygon,” which are public chains that can be distributed on other companies’ NFT marketplaces. We aim to distribute a wide variety of NFT art, not just in a closed environment within our own NFT marketplace.
(Implementation of linked events with physical stores, etc.) We regularly hold promotions and pop-up events at brick-and-mortar stores, with the aim of allowing customers to experience NFTs more closely and enjoy them.
Representative examples of exhibiting artists
[Image 3: https://prtimes.jp/i/31382/1798/resize/d31382-1798-0EF269410B20D324D-2.jpg &s3=31382-1798-863D6E20C14B7D3E6680CB 1D9f162-142X164.jpg]
■Underwater photographer Yasuaki Kagii profile
Born in Hyogo Prefecture in 1971, lives in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Since 1993, he has moved to Australia, Izu, and the Maldives, where he continues to work on underwater photography. Returned to Japan in 1998 and became independent as a freelance photographer. I try to stay close to the rhythms of nature and take photos that cause as little stress as possible to living things. Since 3.11, I have been regularly recording the seas of Iwate and Miyagi prefectures. Author of many books including “Dangouo – Earthquake disaster and regeneration seen from the bottom of the sea”, “unknown”, etc. Received the 15th Anima Award (1998), the Japan Photographic Association Newcomer Award (2003), and the Nikkei National Geographic Photography Award for Excellence (2013, 2015).
He has also appeared in “Jonetsu Tairiku” and “Crazy Journey.”
[Image 4: https://prtimes.jp/i/31382/1798/resize/d31382-1798-2da974cf4002a82bad43-2.jpg&s3=31382-1798-93b67134551e42640f6be85a88b63dab-358×358.jpg] ■“MetaKozo” profile
Web3.0 was born in November 2022 with the slogan “YOUR” space journey and the two missions of “creating value in play” and “eliminating what can’t be done and realizing ideas.” 0 community. This is an
illustration of a boy who symbolizes a “childish mind” and “freedom,” expressing the hope that adults can express themselves as freely as they did when they were children, and that children should cherish the free feelings they have now. It is being
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