Dust atmospheres: Perceptions shaping spatiality

Abstract

This essay examines the aesthetic and phenomenological dimensions of dust, atmosphere and landscape, focusing on their interrelationships with spatiality and colour. Drawing on phenomenological methods, particularly those of Gernot Böhme, the study examines how dust functions as both a disruptive material and a prerequisite for atmospheric phenomena. Using historical examples, artistic practices, and theoretical considerations, the essay demonstrates how dust shapes perception, mood, and the experience of the environment. The discussion integrates insights from New Materialism and highlights the role of dust as an aesthetic medium and its ability to connect physical and emotional registers. Ultimately, the essay argues that dust is not only a sign of decay, but a formative element in the creation of atmospheric spaces.

Keywords: dust, atmosphere, phenomenology, felt-body (leib), landscape