The Metaverse is a collective virtual space.
So far so good.
Something for gamers and nerds.
However, it is not that simple.
If we look prophetically into the near future - say 5-10 years - then the world could look like this:
The time that people still spent in 2020 with smartphones, tablets, etc., they now spend with augmented and virtual reality glasses - smart glasses.
Social media no longer takes place on 2D websites - social media are part of the metaverse.
If people want to connect with their friends, want to consume content, if they want to get together in groups, put on their smart glasses, which offer you either an integrated combination of virtual and real content, or a completely virtual, digital one Immersed in the world.
Anyone who has read "Ready player on" gets an idea ...
And whoever thinks that this is so far away and is more of a science fiction nonsense - well, you have probably never experienced a Hololense or an Oculus Quest.
In addition, billions and billions are being invested in the topic.
Facebook has declared its goal to become the "metaverse company", Nvidia, Epic and many others are investing billions in the topic.
Not counting all the many startups that deal with different aspects of this topic.
And already today people spend a large amount of their time in "Metaverses": Fortnite can be here as pars pro toto.
Still sounds nerdy - what does that interest the art market?
If we assume that people spend 4 hours a day with their smartphone today and that this time will take place in a metaverse in the future ... So in a virtual, interactive and three-dimensional world ... then I have to think about how I can reach my audience there.
And the even more important point is: if people will be in this metaverse - many hours a day - then people will want to personalize these virtual spaces just as they do their living room or kitchen at home.
The personalization of the metaverse
It's very simple: places where I spend a long time want to personalize - you want to feel good there.
That's why a painting hangs over the couch, that's why there is a funny poster in the kitchen and a sculpture is on the desk.
And how do I personalize virtual rooms? Where can I get the content for this personalization?
NFT
NFTs are the tool to digitally market digital art.
This means that NFTs already form an enormous market today.
Digital artists sell digital art for digital currency in a digital market.
We are talking about a market that already has a monthly turnover of 2 billion.
This is where the ears of every analog gallery owner, organizer and artist should ring.
Digital art for analog spaces
The question is - and it really is an open question:
If I have smart glasses that can digitally enrich the real environment for me at will….
How much analog art will I still have on the walls or on the desk?
Maybe I buy digital art, which is then projected on the walls or on the desk through my smart glasses? (And if you think that smart glasses are not always worn ... it should be remembered that many people already use glasses for the first time in the morning. They are just analogue.)
The digital presentation of art
somehow few seem to notice: but the digital presentation of art is lousy today.
And unnecessarily:
The technology is available and proven:
Instead of photos of my sculptures, I can post interactive 3D models on Sketchfab.
Instead of showing my 2 × 2 meter paintings as miniatures on the website, I can offer my customers a VR experience in which they can experience my art in real size.
So?
The metaverse will come and with it the need for digital, three-dimensional and interactive content.
A financially strong market for art will emerge here (to be honest, it has already arisen)
But technologies such as VR and NFT also offer enormously exciting opportunities for the analogue art market.