Virtual Reality Exhibitions Gain Relevance During Pandemic Lockdowns

The COVID-19 pandemic forced galleries and museums worldwide to close physical spaces, shifting art experiences online through viewing rooms, videos, and podcasts. This digital migration highlighted the limitations of virtual substitutes compared to physical encounters with art. Virtual reality gallery exhibitions, using platforms like Matterport, Eazel, and Google Streetview, emerged as notable alternatives during lockdowns. Unlike standard online viewing rooms, VR exhibitions attempt to recreate the spatial experience of visiting galleries, reminding viewers that art gains meaning through public presentation in physical spaces. Specific examples include Massimo De Carlo's virtual exhibition featuring John Armleder and Rob Pruitt, Johanna Unzueta's 'Tools for Life' at Modern Art Oxford, and the São Paulo Biennial's 2016 edition accessible via Google Streetview. Commercial galleries like Gagosian had previously explored virtual viewing rooms, and Art Basel implemented them after canceling Art Basel Hong Kong in 2020. Despite their melancholic and sometimes awkward nature, VR exhibitions underscore the value of public gathering spaces lost during lockdowns. The article, published online exclusively on April 17, 2020, argues that physical interaction with art remains irreplaceable, even as digital alternatives proliferate.