That day, once is not custom, Christian Estrosi had made an appointment with the press on the Internet. He had come to announce that the “avant-garde” Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis over which he presides was turning a little more “towards the technologies of the future”. And it was a few minutes late that his avatar finally showed up… in the metaverse. Via one of its museums, the Villa Masséna, between 3D palm trees and unlimited sea views.
Because since last week, it’s official: the community has invested in Web 3.0. With the idea of ”bringing a new dimension to the candidacy” of the city as European Capital of Culture in 2028. Nine French municipalities are in the running to obtain the label. The name of the winner will be announced at the end of this year.
“One of the challenges of NICE2028 is to position the destination as a laboratory for innovative cultural practices”, he defended in front of an audience of equally digital guests and in this Villa Masséna recreated entirely in pixels on the Spatial.io platform. What will we find there? And why do ? 20 minutes make the point.
Villa Masséna, an entry point to the metropolis
From the terraces and windows, the view is breathtaking. At 360°, on the Mediterranean and the Mercantour mountains, the villa Masséna of the metaverse seems to float above the Promenade des Anglais and it is not possible for the moment to walk beyond the borders of its garden.
Has the local authority planned to “digitize” other elements of its territory? It’s not on the agenda. Christian Estrosi explains that the museum, as an “emblematic building of the history and culture of Nice”, was chosen to “become the image of the metaverse of the metropolis”.
However, he specifies 20 minutes that this foray into the “meta universe” will only be “a stone in the building”. “We are in a learning phase of this 3.0 universe,” he says. We will have NFTs in the coming weeks [non-fungible token ou jeton non fongible, déjà utilisés à Cannes par exemple]. More than a representation of buildings, we will move towards an interpretation of our territory. »
Exhibitions and conferences on the program
In the digital representation of the Villa Masséna, visitors can teleport to three levels. “The building brings together within it the different places of culture of the metropolis”, details the community. And offers various information on museums, current exhibitions, but also major traditional events.
With regular updates. “Our metropolis is dynamic and this space will transcribe all our news. The exhibitions will evolve, promises Christian Estrosi. This metaverse is a dissemination platform as much as a space for exchanges that contributes to the influence of our territory. The place therefore has an essentially cultural vocation. But not only. “We are already planning to organize economic conferences there”, also announced the mayor to 20 minutes.