Depicting the Ethereal, Part I: Visual Art and Psi

Abstract

The turn from figurative art to the depiction of internal experiences opened the door for artists to represent anomalous experiences and ostensible psi phenomena. Various studies have described how Abstract art was influenced by Occultism, but there were other important influences. They include scientific theories of the ether and hypergeometric dimensions, the development of technological advances showing the reality of unseen electromagnetic waves and wireless communication at a distance, Spiritualism, and the inception of psychical research. This paper focuses on how psi phenomena, research, and theory, o!en in conjunction with the other influences, have been an important topic and source of inspiration in various modern and contemporary movements including Surrealism and Abstract and Conceptual art.