Bored Ape Yacht Club is a non-fungible token (NFT) collection built on the Ethereum blockchain. The now many iterations of the high profile cartoon are what sparked the public interest in NFTs at large, and continue to rake in high profile investors. The NFT era marked a new iteration of big tech investing, focused entirely in a new art form. Now, investors in the collection who attended the ApeFest festival report burned corneas and vision problems after viewing the exhibition.
The organization is composed of those who have invested in a collection of 10,000 NFTs featuring computer-generated profile pictures of the now instantly recognizable cartoon ape. The event this year was held in Hong Kong, and attendees first reported severe eye pain via social media. An X user named Crypto June was among the first few to come forth about the pain they experienced, reporting that they required hospitalization.
I woke up at 04:00 and couldn’t see anymore. Had so much pain and my whole skin is burned. Needed to go to the hospital.
The doctor told me the uv of the lightning of the stage did it. It has the same effect as sunlight.
Still can not see normally..
— Crypto June 💎🎯 (@CryptoJune777) November 5, 2023
Aside from the pain, numerous festivalgoers report vision problems as a result of the intense stage lighting at the show. One user claimed that a doctor told them that the intense lighting bore the same effects as real UV rays from the sun, and could result in permanent eye damage.
I had the same, was almost not in front of the stage. I did go to multiple festivals in my life but never expirienced this from it.
I try to understand why it’s this time different. And who is accountable for making almost 5000 people blind.
— Crypto June 💎🎯 (@CryptoJune777) November 5, 2023
Also in the X thread, others alleged that they experienced skin burns from the lights.
Same here for me and +1. I had eyeglasses, so was a bit spared, but skin is burned and +1 had the same degree of issues with eyes. We believed it was something random so didn’t go to the hospital… but damn. Get better y’all!
— Michael (@aegas_ms) November 5, 2023
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While some unharmed members of the Bored Apes continue to share images from the festival, others reflect upon what this incident could mean for the NFT industry at large.
🍌Apefest Main Event #ApeFestHK
Precious moment📷 Selfie time with sweeties 💖 @veratheape @SexyMichill @yummmycrypotato @BoredApeYC pic.twitter.com/iO2nD7Wjsb
— 𝕏 𝕊𝕠𝕦𝕗𝕗𝕝𝕖🪞 ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕡𝕖𝔻𝕚𝕖𝕞 (@0xSouffle) November 6, 2023
Social Media Reactions To Apegate
After the allegations of vision defects and eye injuries emerged on X, TikTok users following the tech industry quickly offered commentary on the situation. Many expressed that the situation was simply a harsh reflection at the absurdity of the Bored Ape phenomenon as a whole. Millions of dollars have been poured into the NFT industry because of the simple cartoon design.
@imcodyjacob you paid all that money to look at something and now… #boredapeyachtclub #boredape #nft #nftartwork #apefest #freakaccident #nftart #bayc
Engineers chimed in to offer a technical explanation for the eye sensitivity festivalgoers are experiencing. One TikTok user pointed out that laser lights should never be set up at eye level, and UV light bulbs should not appear in commercial settings. The long exposure to the harsh lights without protective eyewear is what some suspect caused the alleged health issues.
@spirestarter #Inverted #greenscreen Blue light hazard, laser safety and exposure to all kinds of light, especially at events like this Bored Ape Yacht Club event that just made the news are no joke! Here’s a little about how #illumination pros categorize and measure risks associated with blue light exposure. #bluelighthazard #boredape #photokeratitis #boredapeyachtclub
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The organization is yet to address the alleged vision problems, and it remains unclear if a class action lawsuit against the conference is to be filed at this time.
