Abitare i nuovi mondi. L’esistenza dei luoghi nel mondo virtuale

Abstract

All humans exist within a localized context that is to say, every aspect of human existence occurs in relation to the place. In this article, I propose to interpret the conceptualisation of the place through the lens of Norberg-Schulz's genius loci, by comparing genius loci’s
characteristics to Heidegger's theory of dwelling, observing in particular the human ability to attribute meanings to the place they inhabit. The aim of this paper is not only to demonstrate that the relationship with genius loci is dwellingoriented, but also that such relationship pertains to aspects of reality that go beyond mere materiality, such as virtual worlds and particularly video game worlds. I suggest here that applying the conceptualisation of the genius loci to the virtual world allows for its phenomenological understanding
with reference to the human modalities of existence and their relationship with the places they inhabit.