ANNABELLE SCHNEIDER

Being in Bed | An immersive Experience for Well-Being 

SWAB Artfair Barcelona / October 3 - 6, 2024 / Booth: D4



WHAT IS IT LIKE TO TRAVEL THROUGH TRACES AND SYMBOLS AND SOUNDS OF STORIES FOUND IN BED?

Step into BEING IN BED, a Virtual Reality odyssey that seamlessly blends the physical and digital worlds. This immersive experience transcends the isolation and disconnection of modern life, offering a journey that reconnects us with ourselves. In this virtual realm, a spiritual narrative unfolds, guiding participants through a profound exploration of healing and self-discovery. More than just an immersive experience, BEING IN BED serves as a transformative space where technology becomes a bridge to well-being—especially for those confined to bed, with limited access to nature and movement. Through this digital tapestry, we are invited to rediscover the essence of our being and embrace technology as a tool for inclusivity and healing.





You settle into the most intimate space we know: the bed. As you slip on the bulky VR headset, a dreamlike journey begins—not far removed from your physical surroundings, but surreal in nature. You shrink, finding yourself within the folds of a bed identical to the one you're lying on, only this bed seems to stretch into infinity. A cinematic, rhythmic soundscape fills your ears, accompanied by a voice that guides you through a spiritual journey, syncing with the inner frequencies of your being. Spoken affirmations align with the scenes unfolding around you, each tied to the natural rhythms and traces our bodies leave behind—alive, yet often disconnected from the mind that lingers elsewhere, lost in the digital world.

This blurring between body, mind, and soul has a growing impact on our mental well-being, as we increasingly neglect our physical presence in the now. BEING IN BED seeks to restore that connection between mind and body, using technology as a tool for healing. The multi-sensory design of this experience heightens your senses as Virtual Reality expands into immersive worlds of sound and visuals. You lose the sensation of gravity, of scale, as colors, shapes, and frequencies impact your sense of well-being, offering the potential for pain relief, especially for those confined to bed.

The physical installation features a bed made from 48 inflatable, body-adjusting fabric pillows, inviting two people at a time to embark on this three-minute journey. Together, they reconnect with their physical selves, exploring natural elements, sounds, and affirmations in a virtual world designed to heal and reawaken the senses.


"Virtual Reality (VR) has the power to transform, expanding our human imagination and encouraging psychological breakthroughs and personal growth. The inflated textiles in the physical space absorb the weight and movement of the body, grounding us in the experience. Though VR retains this potential more than ever, today's social zeitgeist has drifted toward surface and spectacle."

Annabelle Schneider (2024)




Date: 2024
Designer and Artist
Annabelle Schneider
Collaborators Sound: Basscharity. Voice: Shamahealing
Category: Things I built | Immersive Experience in the Virtual and Physical Space
Location: SWAB Art Fair | Booth D4
Press: SWAB, Architectura y Diseno