The Reading of Art in Virtual Reality in the Postmodern Period

Abstract

Postmodernism, a mid-20th-century cultural movement reacting against modernism, challenges grand narratives and absolute truth, emphasising fragmentation. Virtual Reality (VR), simulating real or alternative experiences, has become an accessible artistic medium. Postmodern art in VR is self-referential and interactive, exploring reality-simulation dynamics. Artists like Gibson/Martelli's "The History of the Future" transport users to a dystopian future, emphasising activism and choice. Jacolby Satterwhite employs VR for performance, blurring virtual and real through digital sculptures and live presentations. VR in postmodern art prompts questions about reality and viewer-artwork relationships. As users immerse in virtual environments, the line between reality and simulation blurs, challenging traditional ideas of authorship and interpretation. Multiple perspectives emerge, aligning with a postmodern emphasis on plurality. The abstract concludes by asserting VR's role as a platform for postmodern exploration, enabling new forms of expression and interaction, and pushing artistic boundaries.