Spatial Feelings. Atmospherological Questions (From a Neo-Phenomenological Point of View)

This work analyzes the concept of atmospheres as key elements that influence human perception and emotional experience. The author proposes a classification of atmospheres into three categories: prototypical (objective feelings), derivative-relational (interaction between the subject and the environment), and spurious (subjective projections). It is argued that atmospheres possess a quasi-objective quality that modulates our emotional responses. The analysis also focuses on the ontological and political implications of atmospheres, contrasting natural and curated environments. The debate involves the views of Gernot Böhme and Hermann Schmitz regarding the manipulation of experiences through artistic atmospheres. Resonance is presented as a key mechanism in atmospheric perception, highlighting the body's role in experiencing atmospheres. COVID-19 is examined as an emergency revealing modern vulnerabilities, shaping atmospheres of insecurity and solidarity. The crisis has altered interactions and perceptions, fostering both isolation and a search for connection, underscoring the need to explore the bodily dimensions of experience and the interplay between atmosphere, affect, and response in extraordinary situations.