An immersive art installation combining a voice-hearing simulation, video, and artworks was developed with input from people with lived experience to increase public understanding of psychotic experiences such as hearing voices. The exhibition was implemented as planned, received positive feedback from 150 visitors, and was felt to be immersive, enhance subjective understanding of voice hearing, and increase compassion without being unduly stressful. A production team meeting with 10 members identified strengths, challenges, and potential modifications. The pilot successfully combined creative, academic, and experiential perspectives to enable visitors to “hear voices” and improve their understanding of psychotic experiences.
A new immersive art exhibition, Altered States of Consciousness, simulated the experience of hearing voices for members of the public in an art gallery and on the London Underground. Among 150 visitors who completed surveys before and after the exhibition, understanding of what it feels like to hear voices, compassion towards voice hearers, and comfort in talking about these experiences all increased significantly. Participants reported enjoying the simulation, learning from it, and not finding it stressful. The exhibition shows potential for improving public engagement and reducing stigma around voice-hearing and unusual sensory experiences.