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Gucci re-enters the metaverse by opening Gucci Town, a permanent space on Roblox.
“Gucci has entered the metaverse with the opening of Gucci Town, a permanent space hosted on Roblox. The luxury house describes the project as a “dynamic destination” in which users can explore the vision of creative director Alessandro Michele, express their individuality through virtual clothing, and connect with like-minded individuals. The virtual experience follows last year’s Gucci Garden, a two-week event the brand hosted on Roblox.” [H/T Input]
At a new show in Seoul, Zaha Hadid Architects shares how it utilizes digital technology.
“Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) has collaborated with Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) for the ‘Meta-Horizons: The Future Now’ exhibition in Seoul, Korea. Designed by ZHA to promote the instigation and exchange of new ideas and to showcase innovative technologies and media, the inaugural exhibition of DDP’s new Design Museum explores ZHA’s work across multiple fields, from digital technology to artificial intelligence and virtual reality, featuring the firm’s recent designs, process, and research that incorporates immersive technologies and new fabrication techniques.” [H/T ArchDaily]
Prime Seafood Palace designed by Omar Gandhi in Toronto. Photography by Adrian Ozimek Final…
Toronto’s Primse Seafood Palace offsets a hearty menu with a calming wood interior.
“A hearty menu of steak and seafood is offset by ‘light-as-air’ interiors at this new Toronto restaurant on Queen Street West. Chef/owner Matty Matheson and architect Omar Gandhi designed Prime Seafood Palace together, turning its barrel-shaped interiors into a calming, wood-lined dining room. The pair brought in an impressive 900lb of maple slats, which emphasize the Toronto restaurant’s curving ceiling and create built-in shutters for the windows. Wood paneling dominates the space, set off by brass light fittings and rails, as well as a set of curved leather-upholstered banquettes.” [H/T The Spaces]
The United States military is starting to develop strategies for using the metaverse.
“On May 10, two fighter pilots performed a high-altitude proto-metaverse experiment. A few thousand feet above the desert of California, in a pair of Berkut 540 jets, they donned custom AR headsets to connect to a system that overlaid a ghostly, glowing image of a refueling aircraft flying alongside them in the sky. One of the pilots then performed a refueling maneuver with the virtual tanker while the other looked on. Welcome to the fledgling military metaverse. It isn’t only Silicon Valley that’s gripped by metaverse mania these days. Just as tech companies and corporations are scrambling to develop strategies for virtual worlds, many defense startups, contractors, and funders are increasingly talking up the metaverse, even if its definition and utility aren’t always clear.” [H/T Wired]
Mega-gallery Hauser and Wirth is expanding again by opening its first gallery in Paris.
“Hauser and Wirth is on the move yet again. The mega-gallery announced it will open a new space in Paris next year, in the 8th arrondissement. “We have made no secret that we have been looking for the perfect home for Hauser and Wirth in Paris for some years and I’m delighted that the search is now over,” gallery co-founder Iwan Wirth said in a statement. The gallery, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, now counts a total of 14 galleries worldwide. It also runs a publishing arm called Hauser and Wirth Make and, in the fall, will open its second Los Angeles space, in West Hollywood.” [H/T Artnet News]
Seattle names Freeway Park, which crosses over the interstate, as a city landmark.
“Freeway Park was declared a city landmark on Wednesday. The Landmarks Preservation Board in Seattle unanimously approved the park’s nomination as there was a four-step process for its designation. The five-acre park, designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin, was built in 1976. It spans the freeway and is supported by concrete piers and bridges, including a multistory parking garage. It provides a pathway for people to cross over the interstate.” [H/T KIRO7]
Sheryl Sandberg, the second in line to Mark Zuckerberg at Meta, is stepping down.
“Sheryl Sandberg, the chief operating officer of Meta and the longtime second in command to its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, said on Wednesday that she was stepping down from the company after 14 years. Ms. Sandberg said she was leaving Meta this fall and that she planned to continue serving on the company’s board of directors. Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other apps.” [H/T The New York Times]
Tastee Tape. Photography by Tyler Guarino…
Today’s attractive distractions:
Euphoria makeup artist Donni Davy launches a fantastically futurist beauty line.
Archaeologists uncover an ancient Mayan city at a construction site in Mexico.
