A medium of emotion, memory, and meaning, art is something felt as much as seen. Yet as galleries go digital, the question arises over how to preserve that connection in a screen-based world. New York-based entrepreneur Ali Haydar Gurocak is bridging that gap by reshaping how people experience and collect art.
As founder and CEO of Metaggio, an early-stage art-tech company, Gurocak is leading a new movement that blends augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) to create immersive, emotionally resonant art journeys. “At Metaggio, we’re using technology not to replace that emotion, but to deepen it,” he says.
Part architect, part economist and part technologist, Gurocak uses his multidisciplinary lens to build tools that turn passive viewing into active exploration, allowing collectors to step inside artworks, understand their stories, and form personal connections that last far beyond the transaction.
AR and VR: Turning Galleries into Journeys
Traditional online catalogues flatten art into thumbnails; Metaggio asks viewers to step inside the frame. With AR, a sculpture can be previewed in one’s living room. With VR, users can walk through a curated gallery from anywhere in the world. “With AR and VR, we’re turning static art into spatial journeys,” says Gurocak. These tools allow collectors and curators to engage with work at scale and with an intimacy that rivals physical visits.
By removing geography from the equation, Metaggio empowers institutions and individuals to rethink what’s possible in art presentation and commerce. The experience becomes less transactional and more exploratory, giving users the agency to discover, connect and even dwell in far-flung spaces.
AI-Powered Curation: Personal and Intuitive
At the core of Metaggio’s innovation is an AI engine designed not just to categorize data but to understand artistic intent and audience behavior. “Our AI doesn’t just process data, it understands artistic intent,” Gurocak shares.
This enables deeply personalized experiences. The platform can suggest a painting that aligns with a user’s emotional sensibilities or curate an entire virtual exhibition based on personal taste. In doing so, Metaggio makes art more accessible and relevant, especially for digital-first audiences who value curated discovery over endless scrolling.
A Platform for Cultural Storytelling
Metaggio functions as a SaaS platform that supports immersive commerce, but Gurocak sees it as something broader: a cultural utility. The platform enables museums, artists, and communities to tell stories in 3D, in AR, and across the metaverse.
“We enable institutions, creators, and communities to tell their stories in 3D, in AR, and in the metaverse,” says Gurocak. These tools help small galleries expand beyond their walls and allow artists to build virtual spaces that reflect their unique aesthetic and narrative voice.
What distinguishes Metaggio is not just the tech stack, but its commitment to storytelling. For Gurocak, the value lies not in novelty but in meaning. Whether it’s a digital twin of a collectible or a fully immersive exhibition, each experience is crafted to amplify heritage and creativity.
Reframing Art Beyond the Token
While blockchain technology underpins authentication and ownership, Metaggio avoids reducing art to a purely financial asset. “We’re not here to turn art into numbers,” Gurocak emphasizes. “We’re here to elevate meaning.”
Every digital experience, every verified collectible, is built around a story. In this way, the company seeks to bring new generations into the world of art through a lens of curiosity and emotional resonance rather than speculation. It’s a long-term vision that prioritizes cultural preservation and creative expression over market cycles.
Gurocak’s approach is not only redefining how art is shared, but also how it’s understood. For more insights, connect with Ali Haydar Gurocak on LinkedIn.
