The family of the internationally acclaimed artist Frida Kahlo has unveiled a collection of previously unseen artwork and mementos in the metaverse. These pieces were showcased in a permanent exhibition as part of the third annual Metaverse Art Week in Decentraland, which ran from Wednesday, August 24th to Sunday, August 28th.
Metaverse users now have the opportunity to explore the art and hear personal stories from close family members in a digital replica of the “Red House.” This virtual version of the family-owned Red House in Mexico City provides an insight into lesser-known aspects of the artist’s life before her famous relationship with Mexican painter Diego Rivera.
Luke McFarlane, co-founder of Ezel, the company responsible for curating these archival materials, explained that the Kahlo family had reservations about sharing certain personal information with the public. However, due to the impact of the global pandemic and personal developments within the family, they decided to embrace emerging technologies to preserve these stories that may otherwise be lost.
Pedro Quinzaños Cancino, a friend of the Kahlo family and co-founder of Ezel, revealed in an interview with Cointelegraph that he saw an opportunity to utilize blockchain in this endeavor.
Ezel’s founders have amassed a collection of nearly 800 different items that once belonged to Frida Kahlo, including sketches, original artwork, and objects she used in her daily life. Each piece of content is meticulously scanned using high-resolution imaging tools, requiring a minimum of 30 different images and videos.
This integration of metaverse technology and interactive experiences offers a fresh way for audiences to engage with Frida’s art. However, the family has made it clear that their real-life Red House will remain a private family residence and will not be converted into a museum, unlike the Blue House (Casa Azul), which used to receive over half a million visitors annually before the pandemic.
While the quality of images and avatars in the digital universe remains a challenge, as seen in previous events like Metaverse Fashion Week, the Ezel team emphasizes that their current focus is on storytelling and archiving. They aim to provide users with a unique and immersive way to interact with culture and art.