Virtual Worlds and Utopia

Utopia is an abstract philosophical, religious and sociological concept. It has
variously been considered a type of celestial nirvana, a state of equilibrium,
a potentiality of society to achieve bliss. More political regimes have considered
it the loss of capitalist systems and exchange.

In contemporary society it receives more attention in film, art and literature
more for its demonstration in dystopias- that is we react in defence of what
utopia could be as we are forced to consider the worlds of inception, the island,
1984, V for Vendetta etc. I wish to explore the link between the impulse in art
and design to consider virtual worlds, and what I feel is an inherent desire to
explore questions of Utopia.

As Mula (2011) covers in his introduction to the history of virtual worlds, the
first real consideration we have of the artistic impulse to create Virtual Worlds
in the Surrealists desire to re-imagine reality.
The works of Dali, Ernst, Magritte from surrealism clearly express the desire
to rethink our apprehension of reality. Installation artwork by Thecla Schiphorst
provides a contemporary examples of the creation of virtual worlds within the
gallery space, alternate realities delivered through ingenious tactile and digital
devices.

The use of Virtual World technologies has resulted in a burgeoning sociological
analysis on the benefits of such interactive spaces. As Castronova states, it is often
a playful escape from the burdens of the hectic society in which we operate.
However, this is it seen at only the most rudimentary form. Rather than
merely escapism, virtual reality, and more specifically virtual worlds, offer
the opportunity to engage in social interactions that can extend the potential
engagement of a range of individuals. It provides a medium in which to create
preferred situations, and offers an experiential space that has extended realms
of possibility. Virtual Worlds, and more specifically designed installation spaces
have the potential to incorporate a range of sensory and digital materials to
facilitate imaginative theorising about questions of utopia in our society.