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The project had the working title Visualizing ideology. But what does ideology actually mean? How does it work and why do we often distance ourselves from it? One thing is certain: ideology works around us, with us and in us. But how can we depict something that is invisible and yet omnipresent?
My bachelor's thesis examines the often invisible structures of ideologies and their influence on our thoughts and actions. The study sheds light on the areas of tension between theory and practice, right and wrong, good and evil.
The project is divided into three parts:
1. Research
Hardcover, thread stitching, screen printed cover
120 pages, 120 mm x 175 mm
2. Documentation
Softcover, thread stitching,
332 pages, 170 mm x 230 mm
3. Prototype for an immersive VR-Exhibition
Video, 1 min 15 sec
To make the complexity of ideologies more tangible, I translated Michael Freeden's ideology morphology into a visual creative method. This illustrates the interconnectedness of ideological concepts on three levels:
Core concepts (fundamental principles)
Subordinate concepts (associated with implementation)
Peripheral concepts (peripheral areas or transitions to other ideologies)
My first attempt to apply this method turned out to be extremely time-consuming. Initially, I focused on objects and products before concentrating on symbols based on Geertz. To optimize the analysis process, I developed a website with a ChatGPT API connection with the support of ChatGPT. This allowed symbols to be analyzed and systematically recorded within a few seconds - even if the results were AI-generated.
In addition, an image database with 3,000 images was created to illustrate visual associations and different interpretations of ideological concepts. Another focus was the investigation of perception and perspective. Terms such as authority or collectivism are evaluated differently depending on the ideology - an effect that the VR experience makes tangible. The work shows that ideologies are not a rigid concept, but a fluid, interdependent network that significantly shapes our perception and social debates.
As the project progressed, however, I realized that there can be no perfect solution. The complexity of the topic can only be made tangible to a certain extent. The VR room that I have developed is not so much a final answer as a summary of the complexity that I have tried to understand. Whether the result is satisfactory is not something I can judge conclusively at the moment. However, I am satisfied with what I have achieved, even if I would have liked to have worked even more deeply or developed even more differentiated approaches in collaboration with others. To test the functionality of my concept, I used up to 3,000 images in the animations for ideologies such as communism/socialism or liberalism. There could have been even more - a clear sign of how difficult it is to fully represent the many facets of individual concepts and perspectives. In addition to the sheer abundance of images, it was also the smallest variables that had a decisive influence on the context. For example, national pride often means something completely different to Germans than it does to Ukrainians, for whom it is essentially linked to their existence. Such shifts show how dynamic and changeable ideological concepts are.
During the process, I used tools like ChatGPT to break down the complexity and save time. It was a valuable support, especially when structuring and analyzing complex issues. Nevertheless, I made sure to use reliable sources such as the BPB or Wikipedia for the crucial facts in order to maintain the scientific integrity of my work.
