German artist Gerhard Mantz did not necessarily strive to depict specific geographical locations. Rather, he called to mind a metaphor for a psychological state. At first glance, the images seem real, sometimes even photographic, with mesmerizing naturalistic details. These lush scenes are made like paintings in order to evoke feelings and moods – entering these visual surroundings produces instant emotional reactions. Upon closer inspection, the seemingly realistic elements of Mantz’s images are revealed to be exotic, virtual realms more closely associated with an interior “reality”