The fluid experience of space : physical body in virtual spaces over an analysis of Osmose

Abstract

By the naissance of virtual reality, the body is repressed and transformed into representation in technological virtuality, and the cyberspace has defined as the space experienced by the mind that is separated from the body. By this transformation to ‘simulacra’, this dystopian world of Neuromancer has become the model for future works. Whereas by the help of Char Davies’ Osmose using Virtual Reality technology, the boundaries of technological virtuality is expanded in such a way to include the de-technologized virtuality: the virtuality of nature. By the use of virtual reality technology, Davies’s interpretation to cyberspace is transgressive in terms of body and space notion. Starting from the definition virtuality of nature, my aim is to analyze the virtuality of water, that will help the thesis to criticize the technology per se and proposes ‘other’ space and body relation in this newly created environment: water space. By the direct ‘contact’ of the body, water space become united with the element, dissolving the boundaries of object/subject, inside/outside splits. Drawing parallel lines between water and imagination, virtuality and freedom, this thesis proposes a look at the cyberspace notion through water.