Exploring Aku World with Crypto-Mogul Micah Johnson
office spoke with Aku’s creator and former pro-baseball player Micah Johnson about the project and what’s next for Aku.
When you were first envisioning bringing Aku into a physical space, what did you want to convey?
I want to convey the endless places Aku can go to hopefully inspire people to see beyond any potential limits to their dreams. By bringing Aku into the real world, we are grounding him in reality and hoping to create a deeper connection with our audience.
What elements from your own life and childhood are translated into your art?
By nature, I’m a very shy person however, I’ve been incredibly blessed to have accomplished my dreams even when the odds were stacked against me. My paintings and Aku are natural ways for me to pass my life experiences on to others.
Having been a professional baseball player in the MLB, what does the transition from professional sports to the art and crypto/tech world look like?
Baseball is a game of failures and adjustments. My whole life I was trained to learn how to deal with failures and to move on. I’ve been able to carve my own path in the art world and media/tech world by not being afraid to fail.
Why did you choose to go into art, specifically NFT art, in the first place?
Art was my escape from the anxiety and depression I would deal with at the end of my career and I knew it was something I needed to do for the rest of my life. But, when I retired I went over a year without selling any art and needed a way to make money for my family. I discovered NFTs in late 2019 and realized immediately that this was an opportunity for me to get in early into a world with no gatekeepers.
How do you like working in the NFT space? What benefits or consequences has it had in bringing Aku to life?
I can’t imagine doing anything other than working in the NFT space. When I was looking for jobs or places to showcase my art after baseball, nobody would give me the time of day. The NFT community at the time welcomed me with open arms and showed me the way. The learnings I was able to take from all those incredible thought leaders helped lay the foundation for what was possible for a character like Aku.
With 5 chapters released now, what is in store for the next 5 chapters with Aku to be released moving forward?
In the remaining chapters, we are really laying the foundation of who Aku is, what the helmet can do.
The message behind Aku is that “anything is possible.” Who do you most want to hear this message?
I want everyone who has ever been told they couldn’t do something or that their dreams are too big and they need a plan B to hear and see Aku. I truly believe I can do anything and if everyone could have that mentality our world would look a lot different.
Aku World will run from December 2nd to 4th, coinciding with Art Basel and Miami Art Week. Get tickets for the physical opening here.
