The family of the world-famous artist Frida Kahlo has unveiled a collection of never-before-seen artwork and memorabilia in the metaverse. The debut took place during the third annual Metaverse Art Week in Decentraland, which ran from Wednesday, August 24th to Sunday, August 28th.
Users of the metaverse can now explore the art and listen to personal stories shared by close family members in a digital replica of the “Red House.” This virtual house is a representation of the real-life Red House owned by the family, located in Mexico City.
The Decentraland version of the Red House offers insight into lesser-known aspects of the artist’s life before her well-known relationship with Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Each room in the virtual house provides a glimpse into these early years.
Luke McFarlane, co-founder of Ezel, the company behind the archival materials, explained that the family initially had reservations about sharing personal information with the public. However, due to the impact of the global pandemic and internal developments within the family, they decided to embrace emerging technologies to preserve stories that might otherwise be lost.
Pedro Quinzaños Cancino, a friend of the Kahlo family and co-founder of Ezel, saw an opportunity to leverage blockchain technology in this endeavor.
Ezel’s founders have gathered nearly 800 different pieces that once belonged to Frida Kahlo, including sketches, original artwork, and objects from her daily life. Each piece is scanned using high-resolution image capturing tools, requiring at least 30 images and videos to ensure accuracy.
The use of metaverse technology and interactive experiences offers a new way for audiences to engage with Frida’s art. While the real-life Red House remains a private family residence, the metaverse version allows for public access without converting it into a museum.
This is in contrast to the Blue House (Casa Azul), which attracted over half a million visitors annually prior to the pandemic.
The quality of images and avatars in the digital universe is still a challenge, as seen in previous events like Metaverse Fashion Week, also held in Decentraland. However, the focus for Ezel’s team currently lies in storytelling and archiving, allowing users to experience culture and art in a completely immersive way.