Democratizing the Metaverse and Art: A Fusion of Creativity and Interaction
A sci-fi enthusiast likely experienced a revolutionary moment when the term Metaverse was first coined during their stimulating read of the 1992 novel, “Snow Crash”. Unbeknownst to them, this imaginative word is no longer a fictional concept, but rather a part of a progressive future.
The metaverse refers to a virtual space where we observe a blend of augmented physical reality and the digital realms. Essentially, it is an interconnected environment of digital and virtually-enhanced physical landscapes. Imagine immersing yourself in the most dynamic and diverse experience- from a futuristic, dystopian world much like The Maze Runner, to just a chance to walk through the neon-lit streets of Chicago in the 80s, it’s all here in the metaverse.
Gone are the days when the creation of art was constricted to paintbrushes and two- dimensional canvases; with the ever-evolving character of the metaverse, artists take on newer styles and methods to create art, one that dissolves boundaries between what is real and what is imaginary, essentially redefining the very nature of artistic form and expression. A connoisseur of art? The metaverse can very well offer the most flamboyant gallery of digital art sprawled ahead, making it an opportunity for visitors to delve into 3-dimensional galleries that transcend the limitations of a traditional one. A metaverse art gallery can recreate the feeling of walking through a real-life gallery, viewing unique art pieces just as if they were in the gallery itself. Visitors feel a sense of presence and immersion which in comparison to traditional art goes unmatched. There are no rules to metaverse art, one may push boundaries when it comes to creating art pieces, such as 3D paintings, and one may even display those splendid works in galleries that can shift their bases from magical underwater canyons to the grandeur of Olympus, and its all possible if you just have an internet connection!
The exceptionality of metaverse art is just how it can bulldoze the barriers down for artists around the globe, allowing artists from diverse backgrounds to collaborate and innovate in the metaverse. It’s not just limited to that, however. It offers a new way to experience art for people unable to secure access to exclusive art events. Regardless of where you live, working and creating with artists is just as easy as now, resulting in cultural amalgamation and fresher perspectives on the world of art. “Webaverse” and “Somnium Space”, both open-source platforms, are taking charge of redefining the world of art on a global and dynamic scale. The inclusivity of all sorts of art admirers brings a wider audience to witness the evolution of art and technology.
As revolutionary an idea may be, the most seemingly ideal creation will barely escape skepticism. While it cannot be denied that the concept of Metaverse has been met with a fair amount of jazz and excitement, there also have been whispers of criticism surrounding its name. So, what exactly is its future?
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft envisioned the future of the metaverse:
“Metaverse is essentially about creating games. It is about being able to put people, places, things in a physics engine and then having all the people, places, things in the physics engine relate to each other. You and I will be sitting on a conference room table soon with either our avatars or our holograms or even 2D surfaces with surround audio.”
In other words, humankind is on its way to being interactive hologram figures, the same technology Tony Stark used to create the world’s favorite Iron Man suits. The big guys of the tech arena are already playing in the field as Meta (previously Facebook), quite literally changed its name to highlight their commitment to expanding and exploring social interactions in the metaverse. Then what exactly brings us to the point of divergence, where opinions start differing?
The accessibility of art by all and spellbinding immersive experience is as perfect as it could get, but it all runs exposed to vulnerabilities. Technical glitches and server malfunctions may disrupt the experience for all, creating frustration and unrest among artists and viewers. Moreover, the exposure to a wide variety of people could also raise concerns regarding the security framework of cyberspace, with visitors and artists having an ever-lasting cloud of worry as there is immense susceptibility to a breach of privacy. Though Meta wishes to expedite the landscape of social networks, the involvement of big techs may risk the decentralized nature of the metaverse that allows fluidity and artistic freedom. Therefore, the potential of monopolization intimidates such artists.
There’s also the involvement of NFTs that have received quite the controversy. Is it here to stay? And what role could it possibly play in digital art and the metaverse?
These tokens are a way to prove ownership of a piece of art in the form of small contracts. They cannot be replicated, unlike traditional currency and this ultimately increases the value of the art. This may seem like the most optimal method, however, NFTs have sparked debate due to environmental concerns as they are highly energy intensive. Moreover, they take longer to sell and aren’t as easy to trade. Tokenizing their creations may be empowering as a digital artist in the metaverse, but the risk due to the unstable nature of this medium of transaction can be a major drawback for self-employed artists.
The future of art in the metaverse is one of the most transformative yet in the history of art and its expansion. As it continues to evolve, there will come much newer, thrilling, and complex ideas envisioning the advancements and heights that we as a society will achieve. It can be described as a limitless canvas of colorful possibilities, but it all condenses down to one simple thing- one’s love for art, where technology and creativity fuse and unite individuals with passion.
