Visionary art and the limits of social constructivism
Visual Studies July 16, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/1472586x.2026.2697924 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Semiotics Agency philosophy Postmodernism Perspective graphical Representation politics Focus optics Constructivism international relations Social constructivism Epistemology Aesthetics Function biology Constellation Cognitive science |
| Key points | Proposes that visionary art from DMT and AI generation functions as portals to non-human ontological realms, requiring a new analytical methodology focused on spatial dynamics and non-human agency rather than traditional semiotics. |
Abstract
Visionary art, inspired by the shift in perspective towards a (hyper)spatial horizon, represents a departure from the postmodern ethos. Rather than simply remixing established cultural signifiers, these images function as portals to divergent ontological realms and non-human visual paradigms. Focusing on the agency of non-human entities and dimensions, this paper proposes a new methodology for analyzing visionary images, particularly those emerging from N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) use and Artificial Intelligence (AI) generation. By exploring spatial dynamics, mediated interfaces, and manifest presence, this framework shifts the analytical focus from semiotics and representation to the topology of non-human spaces. Ultimately, the paper examines how the constellation of agency between humans and non-humans is changing, advocating for visual studies to accommodate these new epistemics and take such images seriously.