The Power of Escapism

Digital renderings of dream-like architecture are the escape from reality that calms the soul.

Image by Six N. Five

A new wave of interior design has taken over Pinterest, with digital renderings of utopian interiors and architecture thriving. With the world’s situation, the desire for escape is at an all-time high, with more people, now than ever, looking to the virtual and digital realms.

Imagine this: You’re in a serene forest, listening to the birds chirping and the soft rush of water from a nearby river. You enter a clearing, only to stumble upon a living room with light green bean-shaped couches, pebble side tables, and a lamp hanging from the branches. Behind it, a pond with soft ripples moving through the clear water. You step onto the plush grass, slightly dampened with dew, and wiggle your feet, sinking into the environment. With a book in hand, you take residence on one of the couches, put your feet up on the coffee table, and soak in the sunshine pouring through the tree branches.

Image by Joe Mortell

Now take a step back into reality.

It’s wondrous what a little imagination can do, especially for that escape that everyone is so craving.

Society is accustomed to the digital world being so easily accessible and fully translated with the physical world, so it’s no surprise that reality can be merged with digital elements to create breathtaking images, videos, and more. Digital 3D renderings have been on the rise for years now, but due to the pandemic, they surged in popularity. But what is the point of these digital images?

These renderings are an art form that promotes transportation through the mind. Each image, unique to itself and the artist, evokes a different emotion, with some emphasizing the peacefulness, beauty, or uniqueness of the space, all the while giving a euphoric feeling. Digitally, they encourage a pause from the mindless scrolling on social media, offering a new and positive atmosphere on often discouraging platforms.

As a person who has always loved imagining serene and peaceful jungle and forest landscapes, images incorporating these settings and living space, feed into my imagination. And although I have always pictured these images in my head, I had never really seen them come to life the way these digital renderings do.

It really makes me wonder if these digital images can be made into a physical reality. The constant need for escape can be seen through many different outlets, with digital renderings being only the tip of the iceberg. As we move into a more digital future, will this never-seen-before architecture and design be possible in the real world?

Image by Joe Mortell in Collaboration with Charlotte Taylor

Organic House designed by Javier Senosiain

I suppose you could look to the likes of Organic House in Mexico, designed by Javier Senosiain, which features very similar design elements in respect to the curved lines, immaculate landscaping, and blend of indoor to outdoor living. Furthermore, Pierre Cardin’s ‘Bubble Palace’ home features the same curves and strangely shaped furniture, that it seems these digital designs aren’t completely out of reach. Still, the flawlessness of the digital image cannot be as polished in the real world… For that matter, a living room floating on a pond or a palm tree floating in the middle of the ocean just isn’t possible. But, just imagine if it was.

The power that escapism holds is monumental. Just a minute of imagination is extremely important in today’s society and with digital images feeding into that, it’s even easier to get lost in an image.