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Metaverse architecture: beyond skeuomorphism
1/ "Skeuomorphism" means that you try to replicate aesthetics/techniques/concept from the previous paradigm within a new one. When plastic was first used in furniture, fake wood texture was everywhere. It took someone bold to say: "plastic is plastic, let's make it slick."
2/ Skeuo is sure a useful way to make oneself comfy in a new environment. But let's go further & look at skeuomorphism in metaverse architecture, focusing on NFT galleries: a roof, segmentation through horizontal floors, outside / inside walls, a floor, hanging the art like IRL.
3/ Of course, it doesn't make sense to throw it all away: anyone who's had fear of heights in a VR space no matter how non-realistic know that our brain needs some safety nets. Until a metaverse platform decides to get rid of floors and get it 100% flying, we'll have floors.
4/ But think of the ability to fly in @cryptovoxels: why not design a space specifically for flying people? Give it a fun and relevant path? About walls: they can be very effective about shutting off visual noise and have a more controlled experience of the space.
5/ With my current solo show in @decentraland with @tdcgallery, we went for no walls, and it's a success, even with big blocky buildings around. The experience is then fully about the art displayed andis more fun. Walls could also be "lacey" as they're not subject to gravity.
6/ Segmentation of the space through horizontal floors is also something that can be changed. Experiment with diagonals, curbes, upside-down spaces if the platform allows it, or go crazy and have vertical floors if the art is vertical. Think outside the box and slice it.
7/ Art doesn't need walls, and it doesn't have to be vertical. Another example from my current show: all the pieces are huge and floating in the air, tilted toward you, circling you at the top of a spiral staircase: the pieces, towering, look at you as much as you look at them.
8/ Of course, all rules are not made to be broken, but I do hope it makes you want to embrace the metaverse and make virtual architecture its own thing. What are your ideas?
If you're curious about the exhibition space, you can visit it here:
https://play.decentraland.org/?position=34%2C83
If you're curious about the exhibition space, you can visit it here:
https://play.decentraland.org/?position=34%2C83
