The Virtual Space Theory
The Virtual Space Theory is a body of principles proposing a consistent and systematic understanding of the idea of virtual space, particularly with respect to its uses and occurrences in visual media, art, and architecture.
The Virtual Space Theory was developed by Dr. Or Ettlinger, and constitutes the theoretical core of his book The Architecture of Virtual Space.
The Book
The Architecture of Virtual Space combines two distinct studies which proved to be complementary: a theoretical analysis of the elusive idea of virtual space, and a detailed study of works of pictorial art that are rich in architectural content.
This book proposes a theoretical model for defining virtual space itself, in a lucid, down-to-earth, and systematic manner. This model is presented through historical examples of architectural projects that were designed, planned, and intended from their outset to be part of an image, while generating its visible space.
Thus, it links the abstract idea of virtual space to the tangible experience of space that is available through pictorial images, whatever their medium may be.
The Blog
Whereas the book is a formal and concise presentation of The Virtual Space Theory, the blog is a more informal discussion of topics that revolve around it. Its purpose is to complement the book in various ways: to provide an introduction to The Virtual Space Theory for new readers; to expand the theoretical discussion of issues that are not developed further in the book; to present research on topics that are more suitable for discussion in an online format (which enables videos to be viewed alongside the text); and finally, to continuously share thoughts, ideas, artworks, and other discoveries that are related to the ongoing expansion of The Virtual Space Theory.
The Author
Or Ettlinger, Ph.D. Arch., is a visual artist, Assistant Professor, and senior researcher of media theory and virtual architecture at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia. His exploration of virtual architecture and virtual space has spanned both formal education and professional experience across the multiple disciplines from which these emerging fields derive. This fifteen-year journey has ranged from architecture to computer science, from product design to information design, from classical drawing to digital imaging, and from art history to media theory.
This website is centered on Or Ettlinger’s theoretical work. His own artistic pursuits, which form a counterpart to his theory and which he continuously follows in parallel, will be presented elsewhere in due time.
Where to Begin?
To get an initial idea of what The Virtual Space Theory is about, you can start by reading the section which describes the book, as well as the blog series ‘What This Blog is About’ and ‘Basic Approaches of The Virtual Space Theory’. For a more detailed discussion of the main principles of The Virtual Space Theory, you can proceed by reading the following article, which summarizes the first one and one-half chapters of the book:
