- Yuga Labs has attracted controversy after announcing the release of an NFT collection inspired by collectibles in the CryptoPunk collection
- The new collection was the inaugural in Yuga Labs’ Punks in Residence program
- Some consider the move as an attempt to kill the original collection while others think it’s a great way of re-imagining the collection
Bored Ape creator Yuga Labs has attracted controversy from the NFT community for unveiling a new Punk-branded NFT collection, with some considering it an attempt to kill the original collection. The new collection, dubbed “Super Punk World,” is the inaugural collection of Yuga Labs’ Punks in Residence program which is meant to empower selected artists to re-imagine the CryptoPunk collection. Although most in the community have criticized the move, some support it saying that it doesn’t dilute CryptoPunks’ worth because “what is historic will remain historic.”
Original Punks are Early Cave Paintings
The Super Punk World collection was created by Nina Chanel Abney, a popular artist whose other works have been featured in places like MoMA and the Whitney. The collection features 500 3D Punk-like avatars. Abney wants to use the artworks to “blur the lines of race & gender” while also linking the virtual and the real worlds.
Super Punk World is a 500-piece collection that is as playful as it is profound. For our Punk in Residence collaboration – @ninachanel has created hybridized 3D sculptures that blur the lines of race & gender and reflect upon virtual versus real world identities. Read more and… <ahref=”https://t.co/rWMraMW7Km”>pic.twitter.com/rWMraMW7Km
— CryptoPunks (@cryptopunksnfts) May 20, 2024
According to Yuga Labs co-founder Greg Solano, the original CryptoPunks are the “early cave paintings of this new medium.” Solano added that the Punks in Residence program is meant to help fuse the web3 space with the physical art world with the help of world-class artists.
gm,
wanted to share an update on punks: when we acquired the collection a couple years ago, we did so with the intention of preserving the legacy of the collection.
we see punks as the early cave paintings of this new medium, and we were heavily influenced by them when creating…
— Garga.eth (Greg Solano) 🍌 (@CryptoGarga) May 20, 2024
He disclosed that Yuga will never alter Punks, noting that the firm will work with museums looking to educate their audience about Punks.
A Direct Brand Dilution?
Some in the NFT community advised Yuga to use the program to unveil new collections without linking them to CryptoPunks. Others said that the web3 firm should “give each artist [in the Punks in Residence program] a punk, allow them to create a collection inspired by punks and let their collectors and punks claim it for free.”
why stop the artist residence? instead just dont plan on selling a collection? give each artist you work with a punk, allow them to create a collection inspired by punks and let their collectors and punks claim it for free? @NaughtalieStone
— ThankYouX (@ThankYouX) May 21, 2024
The disgruntled section said that the new collection’s name “Super Punk World” is a “direct brand dilution,” while others said that the new collection is a “PR move.”
Your team called the project Super PUNK world, how is that not direct brand dilution?
— al 🍦 (@lifeofbitcoin) May 20, 2024
With the community divided on the viability of the new Punk-inspired collection, it’s to be seen whether it’ll receive widespread adoption as other Yuga products.