Both the program for “This is Cinerama” and Colomina’s
“Enclosed by Images: The Eameses’ Multimedia Architecture” expose the drive for
simulating – and eventually exceeding – reality in visual media. Cinerama’s
wrap-around screen was designed to imitate the normal arc of human peripheral
vision, and even the distribution of the sound was intended to be “completely
indistinguishable from the real thing”. The reviews of Cinerama in the program
include claims that it is “the closest thing to actual experience we have ever
witnessed”, revealing that imitation of reality is highly regarded. In “Enclosed by Images”, visual media attempts
to achieve and exceed reality, through both sensory additions to viewing such
as smells and vibrations, and by an “information overload” through the use of
multiple images projected simultaneously across multiple screens. The viewer is
sensationally overwhelmed with “the maximum amount of information…[that is]
both pleasurable and effective”. Here, we see the beginnings of the overwhelming
abundance of information that Americans view everyday, via primarily Internet
and television, and at the heart of this abundance are the endeavors to imitate
or improve reality. We build larger televisions, hi-definition screens that
project 3D images sharper than the human eye, our video games attempt to create
the most realistic graphics and settings possible, and satellite imagery
combined with the “street-view” setting of programs such as Google Earth allow
us to visit almost anywhere as if we were actually there, with additional
information only a click-of-the-mouse away. Inclusion of olfactory and touch-oriented
facets are likely not far off – they are already included in attractions, such
as “Soaring Over California” at Disney’s California Adventure theme park, and
in virtual reality endeavors such as training programs. The movie-going
experience seems to be the first place that imitation of reality is pushed to
its limit, but such endeavors can be seen in modern – and undoubtedly, future –
computers and televisions too.
When our entertainment eventually can appeal to all of our senses, I'm wondering what that will do for our collective attention as a society. Like the "Enclosed By Images" source emphasizes that today's audience would not have seen the Eames' multi-screen architecture as overwhelming, or even necessarily attention grabbing. I feel like today, people expect to be entertained constantly, like if I'm watching a Netflix movie and one scene isn't drawing me in, I'll start checking my phone and look for ways to distract myself. I literally need entertainment to distract me from paying attention to my entertainment. That can't be healthy. Or think about how commonplace texting has become in literally any situation. Like it used to be considered rude to talk on the phone or text when in a face-to-face conversation with somebody else. Now, it's so ubiquitous I wonder if there are any extended periods of time at all that the average person isn't texting somebody. With software companies in basically an arms race to create the flashiest brands of entertainment, and as you pointed out this probably will soon result in engaging audience on an olfactory and tangible level, I wonder if in 30 years we'll look back at today's distracted society as the halcyon days before constant diversions.
ReplyDeleteI agree, today's excitements and attractions are in tomorrow's outcasts. Trends move faster than the speed of light in our society. It seems as if we cannot take the appropriate amount of time to truly cherish and appreciate the entertainment in which we have at the moment. It is part of our American culture to always look for the next big thing. Even though Eames multi- screen architecture was the next big thing at the time, the amusement in the human eye was not forever lasting just like the attractions of today.
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