Metaphorical Metaverses: The Case of Bunker Architecture

Drawing on the influential reflections of Paul Virilio and his Bunker Archaeology, this paper draws a parallel between the spatiality of the bunker and the cultural discourses surrounding the metaverse. Occupying a liminal position between earth and sky, life and death, the bunker is a highly symbolic space within contemporary visual culture. I will focus on a particular type of bunker that emerged during the Cold War in the United States and has regained relevance in times of ongoing crisis, namely that which mimics everyday life, but is underground. By examining various bunkers and underground dwellings in institutional and counter-cultural contexts, this analysis emphasises the inherent “virtual” nature of bunkers, symbolising potentiality and survival. As we shall see, the affinity between the underground space of the bunker and the cultural concept of the metaverse lies in their shared promise of escapism – a humanly sustainable alternative for survival in the midst of global catastrophes, whether nuclear, war-related, or environmental.