A new art installation in Melbourne, Australia is allowing visitors to experience their own death through an Extended Reality (XR) simulation. The installation, called “Passing Electrical Storms,” simulates a heart attack in a hospital setting, with visitors lying on an operating table that vibrates in time with their pulse. They wear a VR headset and are connected to a heart monitor, and during the simulation, they see a holographic image of their body floating away while doctors try to revive them. While the experience is described as both meditative and disturbing, a neurologist warns that it may not be safe for everyone to participate.
The idea of experiencing one’s own death has long fascinated people, but until recently, science has only been able to explain it in part. In February 2022, doctors were able to record brain activity in the seconds before and after death, observing brain waves that are normally associated with memory recall and dreaming. Another study found that near-death experiences are real and that consciousness remains active even when the heart stops beating. The “Passing Electrical Storms” installation takes this fascination to a new level, allowing visitors to simulate their own death and explore what happens after they die.
While the experience may be intriguing for some, a neurologist warns that it may not be safe for everyone. People with mental health issues may be particularly vulnerable to the experience, which could trigger a crisis. Additionally, the VR headset may not be able to accurately simulate the experience of dying, which could lead to a false sense of security. Despite these concerns, some visitors have found the experience to be thought-provoking, prompting them to consider what happens after death and the nature of consciousness.
