Porcelain Publishing / IVC / Volume 2 / Issue 3 / DOI: 10.47297/ppiivc2026020309
ARTICLE

The Practice of Aesthetic "Psychical Distance" in the Context of Virtual Reality

Ao Zhao*
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1 School of Arts and Media, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100091, China
Published: 29 September 2026
© 2026 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Abstract

Building upon Bullough's theory of "psychical distance," this paper explores the impact and reconstruction of aesthetic "psychical distance" within the context of virtual reality (VR) art, considering its specific characteristics. The immersive, interactive, and spectacular nature of VR art presents challenges to the "psychical distance" theory, including blurring the boundaries between subject and object, eroding pure aesthetic contemplation, and alienating subjective experience. In response to these challenges, creators of VR art are actively re‑establishing a balanced relationship between subject and object in aesthetic activities through practical approaches such as emphasizing the realism of core themes, balancing rhythmic tension, and diversifying types and forms. In today's climate of cultural innovation, VR art is transforming "psychical distance" from a standard into a tool, becoming a significant medium for enriching the cultural lives of the people and contributing to the development of social culture.

Keywords
Psychical Distance
Virtual Reality
Sense of Immersion
Aesthetic Relationship
Subjective Experience
Funding
None.
References

[1] Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. (2025, October 28). Proposal on formulating the 15th five-year plan for national economic and social development. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/202510/content_7046050.html

[2] China Film Administration. (2025, March 21). Notice on promoting the orderly development of virtual reality films. https://www.chinafilm.gov.cn/xwzx/ywxx/202503/t20250321_888199.html

[3] He, L. J. (2001). The unity of utility and non-utility in aesthetic process: A new interpretation of Bullough's psychological distance theory. Yunnan Social Sciences, (1), 90-94.

[4] Kant, I. (1963). Critique of judgment (Vol. 1). Commercial Press.

[5] Miao, L. Z. (1998). Miao Lingzhu's aesthetic translations (Vol. 2). China Renmin University Press.

[6] Quan, Y. (2024). Is it all a dream in vain? The aesthetic logic and problem scrutiny of virtual reality media. Study and Practice, (2), 123-131.

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Intelligent Visuals and Communication, Electronic ISSN: 2978-5499 Print ISSN: 2978-5480, Published by Porcelain Publishing