Seventeenth International Conference on the Arts in Society

Abstract

In architectural practice, the term ‘genius loci’ is associated with the sense or spirit of a place. In art, it has been used to discuss continuity and authenticity, in relation to place. In this presentation, the phenomenon is extended to virtual environments, specifically focusing on game art as designed for video games and virtual reality (VR) simulations. There is an exploration on how certain virtual environments are designed to prompt feelings of serenity, while others can invoke a sense of apprehension. Further, the project examines the potential effect that spatial design of virtual environments has on place identity within the boundaries of virtual spaces. The discussion links architectural design and art, through the digital technology that is virtual reality.