Digital Art's 'Mutaverse' Challenges Human-Centric Virtual Worlds Through Ecological and AI Explorations

The acceptance of digital exhibitions surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering new opportunities for emerging artists even as traditional art fairs resumed. Events like Amsterdam's FIBER Festival and Sonic Acts emphasized ecological themes through hybrid formats, as seen in their November 2021 edition. Char Davies' VR piece Osmose (1995), influenced by scuba diving, stands out, while Joey Holder's Abyssal Seeker (2021) at London's Seventeen gallery merges science with mythology. In 2021, Alice Bucknell's New Mystics showcased twelve artists, including Lawrence Lek and Patricia Domínguez, examining technology's magical aspects. Sahej Rahal's AI simulation Bashinda (2020) challenges established hierarchies. The environmental repercussions of digital art, such as carbon footprints and e-waste, have led to discussions around a 'mutaverse.'