Wide VR: The Startup Building Virtual Galleries for the Art World

Milan-based startup Wide VR, founded by architect Edoardo Graziadei and gallerist Andrea Zardin in 2017, specializes in creating real-time virtual exhibition spaces for galleries and institutions. The company developed the Massimo De Carlo Virtual Space (VSpace), a fully digital gallery that complements the dealer's physical locations. Wide VR claims to have built the first real-time moving art gallery in 2018 and the first fully virtual art fair in January 2019 at AAF Milan. In April 2019, they presented a virtual fair pavilion at miart curated by That's Contemporary. Graziadei argues that physical space in major cities is becoming increasingly unaffordable and scarce, with 3/4 of the world population projected to live in cities by 2100. Virtual spaces allow galleries to exhibit stored or distant works, reduce costs, and offer more engaging experiences than traditional digital platforms. Wide VR is also exploring personalized virtual spaces for anyone to exhibit content.