Representing mental images and immaterial processes in VR. A new materialist reading of Manic VR and Ayahuasca – Kosmik Journey
Multimodality & Society February 9, 2026 Desiree Foerster
Virtual reality can represent mystical-type experiences, such as those from psychedelics or psychosis, by using atmosphere as a central mechanism. Drawing on new materialism and atmosphere research, this article argues that VR's sensory modalities and virtual environments translate invisible mental states into tangible, immersive experiences. Analysis of the VR works Manic VR and Ayahuasca – Kosmik Journey shows how medium-specific affordances construct affectively charged atmospheres that evoke liminal consciousness. These works form a spectrum of non-dualist, relational aesthetics, from restrained attunement to deep somatic absorption, demonstrating how VR enables felt experiences that resonate with the represented mental states.