DISTRICA
Districa was a VR art district and city focused on bringing art to life in the metaverse. We spearheaded a metaphysical shift in the art world, creating an immersive and interactive experience for creators during the pandemic. Our patented 2D to 4D conversion process transformed art into dynamic virtual universes, countering social distancing by giving every Alice their own Wonderland. Our technology remains in use today, integrated into platforms like The Fabricant, Portion, and VeVerse. We defined the nexus of art and commerce in the metaverse, providing a blueprint for the future of the virtual art market.
EARLY PROTOTYPE OF DISTRICA
CLICK VIDEO TO PLAY
PROBLEM
During the COVID-19 pandemic, people confronted social distancing and isolation as traditional art galleries and creative spaces faced closure and shutdown. Amid this turmoil, a vibrant wave of new artwork with a unique aesthetic began to propagate. Artists turned to platforms like Instagram to share their creations during lockdown, often without financial compensation. This highlighted the need to reconnect these artists with their livelihoods by creating a viable way to support them. This would involve bringing their art to life in uncharted territory during a time of mass social restriction, leading them to economic wellbeing.
SOLUTION
Our breakaway avenue was the metaverse, where social isolation was no longer an obstacle. Creating a virtual city for people to connect, Districa became a place for artists to hang out with their friends and patrons while selling their work. I considered it fundamental to animate their art in a way that was consistent with their style, so we patented a conversion process that transformed their 2D artwork into 4D metaverse incarnates. This involved leveraging machine learning algorithms whlie utilizing layer segmentation and motion generation. We gave artists the ability to inhabit their personal art universes as they sold their creations in the process.
STRATEGY
Our strategy was to develop a signature look that would define the aesthetic of art in VR during the the lockdown era, reinvigorating the art world's economy during a period of stagnation. We developed the next dimension of art, which remains a core essence of my mission as a strategic futurist. I assembled a team of exceptional talent, including Unity expert and former Google engineer Alex Peake, Magic Leap's Naomi Augustine with her own cutting-edge studio, NFT/VR influencer Victoria Del Castillo, and popular Instagram artists whose work was ripe for digital transformation; including Joan Pope and Eric Weidner. Districa was a visionary startup that changed the metaphysics of the art world while opening the VR art market to legions of creators.
EXECUTION
Executing our vision, we patented our 2D to 4D conversion technology and secured investor support through SAFE agreements. My cofounder, Taylor Brame, a long-time ally from my early career as an art director, joined me in this endeavor. Using the social media app Clubhouse, we attracted investors and VCs, forming a high-caliber advisory board. Armed with a skilled engineering team led by our CTO, Alex Peake, we immediately began collaborating with companies like Portion and Meow Wolf. We officially launched Districa in October 2021, integrating NFTs into our platform, which made a significant impact on platforms like Zora and Rarible. As Districa continues to grow, it is now led by the great mind of Taylor Brame, with me retaining my share of equity in the company.
