A short history of virtual worlds and mediated space
Valerie Messini
Institute of Fine Arts and Media Art, Media Theory
2026S, scientific seminar (SEW), 4.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S05759
Description
This seminar examines how virtual spaces and mediated spatial perception have shaped philosophy, art, and cultural imagination from antiquity to contemporary digital environments. Beginning with early models of virtuality such as Plato’s Cave, mythological world-building, and utopian imaginaries, the course traces how mediation became an epistemological and aesthetic force through perspective, optical devices, architecture, and modern mass media—from cybernetics and early VR experiments to media theory and radical architectural speculation—leading into contemporary practices in virtual reality, mixed reality, simulation, and world building through game engines. A central focus lies on how these mediations are always intrinsically spatial, producing reality not only through images or narratives, but through three-dimensional constructions of space that shape how bodies orient, move, relate, and make meaning.
Examination Modalities
On the final lecture dates, participants will present a zine developed over the course of the semester. The zine should reflect on the seminar’s themes and may respond to any theory, artwork, historical reference, or question that emerged during and beyond the seminar—especially topics that sparked curiosity or further investigation. The format is open and may include written and visual materials such as text, images, collages, diagrams, screenshots, or experimental layouts.
To successfully complete the seminar, participants are required to:
1) Develop a zine project over the course of the semester
2) Present the zine in class and submit a digital version
3) Attend class and participate actively (75% attendance required)
Key Words
Myths, Utopia, Technology, Virtual, Virtuality, Virtual Spaces, Mediated Spatial Perception, Mediation, Spatial Media, Spatial Theory, Philosophy of Perception, Plato’s Cave, Myth and Technology, Utopian Imaginaries, Perspective, Optical Devices, Architecture and Media, Media Archaeology, Cybernetics, Digital Art, Media Art, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, Hybrid Reality, Simulation, World Building, Game Engines, Radical Architecture, Embodiment, Presence, 3D Space, Spatial Experience
Dates
Tue, 10 March 2026, 11:00–13:00 Seminar Room 22 , "Registration, Overview and Modalities. Introduction and Ancient examples."
Tue, 17 March 2026, 11:00–13:00 Seminar room 35 , "Zine-making as World-building (Workshop)"
Tue, 24 March 2026, 11:00–13:00 Seminar room 35 , "On Embodiment and Perception: Nancy Baker Cahill (Guest Lecture)"
Tue, 14 April 2026, 11:00–13:00, "World-building Before the Digital"
Tue, 21 April 2026, 11:00–13:00, "Illusionistic Space"
Tue, 28 April 2026, 11:00–13:00, "Spatial Media Objects: Memory Monument by Eric Moed (Game Playing Session)"
Tue, 05 May 2026, 11:00–13:00 Seminar room 35 , "A Timeline of Interactive Art: Martina Menegon (Guest Lecture)"
Tue, 12 May 2026, 11:00–13:00 Seminar room 35 , "Platforms and Algorithms (Reading Session)"
Tue, 19 May 2026, 11:00–13:00 Seminar room 35 , "Phygital and Hybrid Conditions: Jona Wolf (Guest Lecture)"
Tue, 02 June 2026, 11:00–13:00, "World-building in the Digital"
Tue, 09 June 2026, 11:00–13:00 Seminar room 35 , "zine presentations" (examination)
Tue, 16 June 2026, 11:00–13:00, "zine presentations" (examination)
Course Enrolment
From 02 February 2026, 09:00
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/003.80
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80
Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/003.80
Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/003.80
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Digital Transformation 162/040.10
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Media Theory 537/080.20
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 566/208.02
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Medientheorie, Mediengeschichte 567/208.02
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Media Theory 568/005.06
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Media Theory 568/006.11
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/020.20
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Media Theory and Semiotics 577/203.07
Conservation and Restoration (2. Section): Geisteswissenschaften: Kunst- und Kulturgeschichte 588/204.10
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Media Theory,Art&Knowledge Transfer,Th. of Architecture,Th. and Hist. of Design 605/202.02
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/002.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible