Heard on The StreetAugust 9, 2023
The Metropolitan Museum of Art & Gaming APP
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Verizon have launched Replica, allowing visitors at The Met to scan artwork and digitally bring elements of the works into the immersive platform Roblox through augmented reality (AR).
Created and designed by the multidisciplinary company UNIT9 and Verizon in partnership with Roblox, the strategy and production company Ode to Joy, and The Met, whose digital, educational, and curatorial teams provided content and expertise, Replica was built as a user-friendly and engaging experience for children and young adults. In 3D geometry, the Roblox experience contains a Met-inspired virtual version of the Museum itself, where users can explore the Museum in their newly acquired avatar items. Users can find these items in perpetuity in their Roblox inventory, bringing Met pieces wherever they go.
Each wearable piece in Replica was inspired by art from across The Met's collection of 1.5 million objects; the 37 selected artworks are drawn from objects on view across more than 30 galleries spanning nine curatorial areas.
"This groundbreaking app brings artwork from The Met's illustrious collection into the virtual realm of Roblox, transforming the way visitors engage with art and crafting a captivating, fun, and truly unique journey through the Museum," said Max Hollein, The Met's Marina Kellen French Director and CEO. "Replica is a testament to The Met's ambitious exploration of educational initiatives that inspire playful connections with art in the Museum as well as in the digital realm."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Verizon collaboration started in 2021 when, during the pandemic, The Met Unframed was launched. The immersive virtual art and gaming experience with enhancements powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband featured over a dozen digitally rendered galleries and nearly 50 works of art from across The Met's collection. At a time when access to art collections was limited, The Met Unframed aimed to reimagine the Met experience to people wherever they were.
"From The Met Unframed to this exciting launch of Replica, our technology can help bridge gaming and art, creating new possibilities for art education," said Kristin McHugh, SVP of Marketing and Creative at Verizon.
Replica will be featured on The Met's website and social media using the hashtag #TheMetReplica.
For more information, visit: https://www.metmuseum.org/press/news/2023/the-met-replica
Created and designed by the multidisciplinary company UNIT9 and Verizon in partnership with Roblox, the strategy and production company Ode to Joy, and The Met, whose digital, educational, and curatorial teams provided content and expertise, Replica was built as a user-friendly and engaging experience for children and young adults. In 3D geometry, the Roblox experience contains a Met-inspired virtual version of the Museum itself, where users can explore the Museum in their newly acquired avatar items. Users can find these items in perpetuity in their Roblox inventory, bringing Met pieces wherever they go.
Each wearable piece in Replica was inspired by art from across The Met's collection of 1.5 million objects; the 37 selected artworks are drawn from objects on view across more than 30 galleries spanning nine curatorial areas.
"This groundbreaking app brings artwork from The Met's illustrious collection into the virtual realm of Roblox, transforming the way visitors engage with art and crafting a captivating, fun, and truly unique journey through the Museum," said Max Hollein, The Met's Marina Kellen French Director and CEO. "Replica is a testament to The Met's ambitious exploration of educational initiatives that inspire playful connections with art in the Museum as well as in the digital realm."
The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Verizon collaboration started in 2021 when, during the pandemic, The Met Unframed was launched. The immersive virtual art and gaming experience with enhancements powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband featured over a dozen digitally rendered galleries and nearly 50 works of art from across The Met's collection. At a time when access to art collections was limited, The Met Unframed aimed to reimagine the Met experience to people wherever they were.
"From The Met Unframed to this exciting launch of Replica, our technology can help bridge gaming and art, creating new possibilities for art education," said Kristin McHugh, SVP of Marketing and Creative at Verizon.
Replica will be featured on The Met's website and social media using the hashtag #TheMetReplica.
For more information, visit: https://www.metmuseum.org/press/news/2023/the-met-replica
