The Metropolitan Museum of Art is tapping into the potential of augmented reality with Verizon to create a unique virtual art experience on Roblox, going by the name Replica.
The first-of-its-kind AR experience is bringing the Met to the digital realm through the Replica app which allows users to access in-app maps of the museum, collect unique art-inspired accessories for their avatars, and learn more about displayed works of art.
"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 CEO Max Hollein and Marina Kellen, French Director at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
View this post on Instagram
By scanning artworks at The Met (in real life), visitors can acquire collective Replica objects for their Roblox avatars, such as Van Gogh’s iconic straw hat from his art piece "Self-Portrait with a Straw Hat (1887)," currently on display at the museum.
Users can also take a go at curating through Replica, by creating pairings of these acquired items from their Roblox inventory in museum-style display cases and presenting their own one-of-a-kind virtual Met collections.
"In partnership with The Met, we created Replica as an experience to connect people to art in a new and culturally relevant way," added Kristin McHugh, the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Creative at Verizon.
Available to download for free on iOS and Android devices, Replica is primarily aimed at children and young adults to bring the history of art and culture close to them in an innovative, digital-friendly way.
While big brands, such as Fenty Beauty and McCain Foods, are no longer strangers to exploring the possibilities of virtual reality development within Roblox, significant cultural institutions taking a foray into this space could be the beginning of a new chapter for Roblox.
Edited by Nikola Djuric
