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Arts & Communication

ARTICLE
Immersive and virtual exhibitions: A reflection

on… art?

1
Miriam López-Rodríguez *, Vicente Rodríguez-Pérez 2 , and
Ana F. López Rodríguez 3
1 Local Coordinator, European Campus of City-Universities EC2U Alliance, Vice-Rectorate for
International Relations, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
2 Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
3 Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of León, León, Spain

Abstract

This paper explores the conceptualization and evolution of virtual exhibitions
and immersive art experiences, highlighting their distinctions and similarities.
Virtual exhibitions, conducted online or through digital media, offer a platform for
showcasing artworks to a global audience without physical constraints. They employ
multimedia elements to engage viewers and provide flexibility in exploration.
Conversely, immersive art experiences create environments that envelop the viewer,
stimulating multiple senses and often incorporating advanced technologies, such
as virtual reality and augmented reality. These experiences aim to evoke emotional
*Corresponding author: responses and facilitate active engagement with the artwork. While proponents
Miriam López-Rodríguez argue that virtual exhibitions and immersive art experiences democratize access
(miriam.lopez@usal.es)
to art and offer new avenues for artistic expression, critics have raised concerns
Citation: López-Rodríguez M, about their impact on authenticity, viewer engagement, and art commercialization.
Rodríguez-Pérez V, López Rodríguez
AF. Immersive and virtual exhibitions: Philosophical and cultural perspectives, including phenomenology and postmodern
A reflection on… art?. Arts & theory, shed light on the complexities of these art forms and their relationship
Communication. 2025;3(1):3688. with reality and simulation. This paper, further, examines the social and business
doi: 10.36922/ac.3688
implications of virtual exhibitions and immersive art experiences, noting their
Received: May 17, 2024 growing popularity and influence on the art market. It discusses the viewpoints of
1st revised: June 13, 2024 artists, critics, and scholars, both supportive and critical, regarding technology’s role
in art and its effects on the viewer’s experience. Virtual exhibitions and immersive art
2nd revised: July 15, 2024
experiences represent an evolving landscape in the art world, offering opportunities
Accepted: July 22, 2024 for innovation and debate. Their impact on the perception and consumption of
Published online: October 3, 2024 art remains a subject of ongoing discussion. The paper concludes with a review of
successful virtual exhibitions, highlighting their role in expanding access to art and
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article cultural experiences globally.
distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons
AttributionNoncommercial License, Keywords: Augmented reality; Immersive art; Virtual reality; Virtual exhibitions
permitting all non-commercial use,
distribution, and reproduction in any
medium, provided the original work
is properly cited.
1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Art has undergone significant transformations, shaped by various intellectual,
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional technological, and societal revolutions. These changes have led to different interpretations
affiliations. of artworks. Our eyes do not see the same Winged Victory of Samothrace from the steps

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 1 doi: 10.36922/ac.3688