Clay Nation is a culturally-centered group that utilizes the potential of Web3, blockchain capabilities, and the metaverse for human connection.
Interview with the Managers of “Clay Nation”
For thousands of years, humans have sought to express their creativity using various tools, including creating works with clay and pottery. The history of using clay dates back to over 14,000 years before Christ, and pottery remains a prevalent art form even today. But has this ancient art remained unchanged for thousands of years? While many may answer “yes” to this question, we now want to explore pottery through the lens of blockchain and the metaverse.
Some individuals have blended clay and pottery with the blockchain platform, creating the “Clay Nation” project. This collection entered the blockchain world in 2021 by introducing a series of handmade digital artworks in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and generative art.
Clay Nation is a technology, art, and culture-focused group actively shaping and utilizing the potential of Web3 to harness creativity and foster human connections. To discuss the future of this blockchain segment and the Clay Nation project, we spoke for the first time in Iran, as a Persian-language media outlet, with co-founder Lenna Onto and Chief Operating Officer Issy Robson. Here’s a summary of our conversation:
The metaverse has become one of the hottest areas in blockchain, but does it exist right now, or does it need more time? We asked Lenna, one of the pioneers in this field, for her opinion. She said, “The metaverse is a shared, collective virtual space. With a clay-like spirit, we see it as a limitless digital universe where creativity and innovation can thrive. Yes, the foundations of the metaverse currently exist, but it is still in its early stages.”
Blockchain and the metaverse are advancing quickly, so it seems unbelievable to many experts. When asked how much progress we can expect in the next five to ten years, Lenna responded, “Imagine a place where digital and physical realities seamlessly integrate, creativity, collaboration, and diverse communities like Clay Nation are enhanced. In five to ten years, we believe the metaverse will be more widespread, accessible, and integrated into our daily lives.” She elaborated on the applications of the metaverse, stating, “The metaverse offers limitless possibilities. Virtual real estate, digital art galleries, reshaping e-commerce, interactive concerts, etc. These applications operate on advanced technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain. At Clay Nation, we aim to leverage the potential of blockchain technology to create unique, entertaining, social, and value-driven experiences for the community.”
“With the metaverse, we are transitioning from viewing a two-dimensional world on the internet to living within the internet in a three-dimensional world.” — Dave Waters
Professor at Harvard University
Given the changes in the metaverse and blockchain, many industries, despite their reluctance, are forced to adapt. Lenna elaborated on this topic: “From entertainment to education, real estate to retail, we are confident that the metaverse will transform industries. For instance, virtual clothing lines in fashion are emerging that are offered in limited quantities. Designers can also create special editions of their works that may be just as coveted as physical versions (like a product from a specific brand).”
The evolution from the first to the second and then to the third generation of the web has drastically changed social networks. Some believe that the next generation of social media is the metaverse. The Clay Nation team commented on this: “We feel that the metaverse is an evolution of social media, offering deeper and more immersive interactions. One of the things we truly believe in is the power of Web3 to enhance real and meaningful connections.”
Every system has its specific components, and the metaverse is no exception. As a metaverse manager, Lenna explained the metaverse elements: “Virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D graphics, and blockchain are the main components of the metaverse.” On the other hand, we all spend a few hours browsing the web each day. The question of whether our web-browsing style might change due to the metaverse was answered by the Clay Nation team: “We are witnessing a shift where web browsing transforms from a passive activity to an engaged, active, and immersive experience. Imagine exploring websites as three-dimensional virtual spaces.”
Blockchain has imposed the most significant changes in various domains, particularly finance and economics. Many experts believe that the metaverse will impact the international economy. Issy shared insights on how businesses should prepare for this change: “We are confident that as the metaverse matures and develops, new economic opportunities will arise. Businesses that embrace digital transformation and prepare for metaverse technologies in advance will be ahead of the curve.”
“Blockchain cannot simply be described as a revolution; this phenomenon resembles a tsunami that is slowly progressing and gradually engulfs everything in its path with its advancing force.” — William Mougayar
Author of The Business Blockchain
Many brands and businesses have eagerly embraced the metaverse, while many others remain skeptical. But what opportunities has this technology created for companies that have led many to rush into it? Lenna and Issy discussed this topic: “Unprecedented interaction, the launch of virtual products, and immersive brand experiences. We have focused on how Clay Nation can empower brands in this new realm.” They also shared which brands are currently present in Clay Nation: “We are proud to partner with some incredible brands, individuals, and organizations around the world, all of which have brought their entertainment, challenges, and opportunities for our growth, including musicians like the American group Good Charlotte and Snoop Dogg, as well as Web3 pioneers like Champ Medici, Ledger, and The Sandbox.”
They advised investors who are hesitant about investing in the metaverse: “Prioritize user experience, understand your values and motivations, and ‘listen’ to what your followers want, and enjoy the challenge of being a pioneer in this relatively nascent industry.”
Marketing in the second and third generations of the web is different and has created new perspectives for marketers. Lenna commented: “The third generation of the web emphasizes decentralization, transparency, and community-driven initiatives. Understanding this from a marketing perspective is crucial.”
Lenna then defined Clay Nation: “Clay Nation is a vibrant digital community rooted in creativity, collaboration, innovation, and entertainment.” She explained the various sections that make up the world of Clay Nation: “The map of Clay Nation consists of three main areas: Sonic Village, Underworld, and Baked Nation. You can see each area as a segment of the ‘community’ in Clay Nation. Each area will have its distinct theme based on shared spaces.”
Currently, most metaverse projects are built on Ethereum, Binance, or Polygon; however, Clay Nation has chosen to use Cardano. Issy explained this choice: “Cardano offers a sustainable, secure, decentralized platform. Lenna has been involved with the Cardano ecosystem since its early days and previously worked for the blockchain company IOHK. Cardano has always aligned with Clay Nation’s values regarding transparency, positive social impact, and community empowerment.”
Investors and followers are among the main elements determining a metaverse project’s value. Lenna elaborated on who is involved in the Clay Nation project: “Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Good Charlotte have enhanced our accessibility and help us transcend boundaries in the artistic space. Their participation has enriched the Clay Nation ecosystem and catalyzed many subsequent opportunities.”
Lenna also discussed the project’s partners and collaborators, stating, “Clay Nation progresses through collaboration with like-minded brands. Working with these talented artists, businesses, and innovators is amazing in creating the path for Clay Nation.”
Numerous revenue models have emerged in the metaverse economy, attracting many individuals to this field. Issy described the revenue model of Clay Nation: “We want to create dynamic digital spaces where businesses and individuals can leverage Web3 tools and feel empowered.” At the same time, a project without users is like a marketplace without buyers and sellers. Thus, one of the most crucial aspects that metaverse projects must consider is creating incentives for user engagement. In response to how Clay Nation encourages user participation, Lenna said: “Be present or fade away. The market conditions over the past year have been challenging for the industry. Still, we can say we have the best user community by focusing on entertaining content, real-life social-centric events, and hard work as a team to foster a true sense of belonging.”
“The metaverse will play a significant role in replacing human relationships; it could threaten human interaction and also encourage people to prefer the augmented reality world over the real world.” — Eric Schmidt
Former Google CEO
Issy then explained the team behind Clay Nation: “The Clay Nation team is a diverse group of open-minded individuals, creatives, and thinkers. We share a common goal of shaping the future of art and culture in the metaverse with a clay-like spirit.” He also noted that the team members are located in various places, saying, “Clay Nation transcends borders and embraces our global community. We promote a global digital experience.”
At the same time, one of the important topics in the field of blockchain, especially the metaverse, is the discussion around regulations and laws. As a co-founder, Lenna elaborated on the readiness of blockchain and the metaverse in terms of rules: “Regulations are changing, and for projects like ours, it is crucial to engage with informed policymakers. Of course, we want to ensure a safe and inclusive metaverse, but there are many unknowns at this stage.” In response to how countries should approach regulation, she stated: “Different countries can prioritize various elements such as user safety, data privacy, or economic growth. For example, in Clay Nation, we hope to see supportive regulations that ensure community welfare and foster innovation in the industry.”
