Tate has joined forces with Minecraft to create 'Tate Worlds,' virtual 3D worlds of artworks which people can explore through the use of Minecraft. Tate will allow Minecraft users to access 'maps,' these maps allow players of Minecraft to explore a range of paintings and sculpture, undertaking various activities and challenges that relate to the themes of the artworks, or exploring how they were made. Tate has teamed up with some of Minecraft’s best known mapmakers to create these virtual artworks, offering a unique combination of art, history and adventure.
The first two maps were available to download on Monday 24 November 2014. The first maps focus on the theme of Cities, they are inspired by Andre Derain’s 1906 painting of London, The Pool of London, and Christopher Nevinson’s 1920 painting of New York, Soul of the Soulless City. There are plans for six more Tate Worlds maps which are scheduled for release in 2015 and will focus on play, destruction and fantasy. This seems like an exciting new project for Minecraft, who have recently been purchased by Microsoft. Is this sign of things to come?