„Das Metaversum zerstalten - Virtuelle Realität, Vielfalt, Kultur“
by Katharina Haverich and Dr. Lucas Kuster, TRANSCRIPT Verlag 2024

In „How to (mis)use VR“ (Virtual Reality), artist Anika Krbetschek documents her thoughts on an unusual potential of virtual realities. The foundation for this is the audiovisual work „04:40“ by the author, in which she deliberately used the VR headset “incorrectly.” The aim was to create states of perception in the audience resembling a condition described in psychology as „dissociation.“ Through this work, the essay explores the interplay between technology, perception, and social justice, offering insights into the transformative potential of VR as an immersive tool for artistic empowerment and destigmatization. It describes a „dissociative character“ not only in the effect but also in the principle of virtual reality itself. The essay advocates for rethinking conceptions of realities, normativity, and for including inner and marginalized realities in the VR landscape.