Framing the Virtual

<p><span style=color: rgba(23 43 77 1)>Immersive exhibitions have a long history in art. The metaphor of immersion implies a plunge into an all-encompassing environment where audiences are seemingly transported into alternate virtual realities. From panoramas and 3D cinemas to site-specific installations and performances a wide variety of mediums practices and sites have framed immersive experiences in exhibition contexts. Emerging technologies have also played a significant role in this history as their capabilities assist in the transformation of real space into virtual space. This Special Issue of </span><em style=color: rgba(23 43 77 1)>Arts</em><span style=color: rgba(23 43 77 1)> considers the role of new technologies in facilitating immersive art exhibitions. How do histories of technology intersect with histories of immersion and the virtual? How do new technologies influence artistic practices such as installation art performance or exhibition design? How does technology-broadly defined-impact how audiences experience and interact with exhibition spaces?</span></p>