Illusion, Narrative and Interactivity

"The new meta-realism is based on oscillation between illusion and its destruction, between

immersing a viewer in illusion and directly addressing her."

Tim Wang and Sunny Liu

“New Meta-realism”

• Visual illusion in new media no longer assumes subject as strictly a viewer, but rather a user

• New media (websites, virtual worlds, computer games) continuously remind us about their artificiality, presenting a perfect illusion only to reveal the underlying machinery that acts behind the scenes

• New type of realism since we have move past old-style realism of analog era

What has an effect on the reality of an image?

• Interactivity?• Realism (physics) vs. visual quality?– Which one is more important?

• Or do simulation and visual dimensions support each other?

Examples of New Meta-Realism

• Games, DVD titles, interactive cinema/TV programs force subject to oscillate between viewer and user

• Cinematic narrative, FMV (Full Motion Video)• And then menus, icons, interface, GUI• Military simulator blends perception and

action, cinematic realism, and computer menus

Games Mentioned by Manovich

• Doom• Quake• Tomb RIDER• Wing Commander• Myst• Riven• Bad Day on the Midway

Micha CárdenasBecoming Dragon (2008)

Maurice Benayoun

Virtual Reality (VR)InteractiveInstallations

Cosmopolis (2005)

Worldskin (1997)