With 3D technology being a headliner of western culture's mass media entertainment market it seemed only fitting that it is a perfect candidate for satire. Being a photographer I decided to use my eye for imagery and knowledge of design to create a satirical visual. This visual that I have created for my artifact symbolizes how modern society has religiously adapted to the 3D genre by trivializing the very content it represents.
The poster, designed to mimic a flyer for a Christian service, starts out at the top with iconic Christian symbolism complete with crucifix, clouds and stained glass through which the rays of the sun penetrate through, illuminating a larger than life depiction of 3D characters at the forefront of the image. The irony of this symbolism is that the stained glass which was originally created as a representation of visual beauty that can be naturally created using light is now in the background of the superficial beauty created by 3D technology. The audience members witnessing this “miracle” are numerous. They are all dressed in white and stand at attention as if hypnotized in the midst of what is happening in front of them. The satirical image below presents an individual wearing 3D glass staring in awe of the book that he is holding, the cover of which reads "Holy!!! Bible." A quote reading “I was once blind, but now I see 3D” runs across the top of the flyer and continues on the bottom. This quote takes a popular American religious song and bastardizes it with the addition of the 3D aspect, much in the same way that 3D attempts to pander to the audience by dumbing down what the human imagination can naturally create. To
complete the flyer, the bottom of the poster reads "Join us for heaven viewing this Sunday at 8:00 p.m.” I created this correlation not as a satire of faith, but in order to create a parallel between 3D and evangelism. Both of these entities seem to use spectacle to persuade, sell, or spoon-feed their ideals while the respective foundations that they stem from should not need any such influence.
To implement my visual, I decided that the most fitting thing to do would be to place it in front of various churches and see the active response that I could get from people. I tried to come up with various scenarios or hypotheses in my mind as to what the reaction would be. Would the signs get instantly taken down? Would nobody notice? Would people laugh? Would people get angry? I placed the visual in front of a nearby churched and observed the reactions. I interpreted one group of men’s high-fives upon viewing as understanding of the concept. Other reactions were varied, as several people passed the sign without notice, several smiled and laughed, and two individuals took out their phones, perhaps to message their friends about the ridiculous nature of the sign or maybe even to record the date so they don't forget to show up. I decided to take some time to think about a more daring approach to my testing. One week after this occasion I drove to another anonymous church and performed the experiment once again, placing the visual right on the door of the entrance. Within five or ten minutes a church member came out and took down the sign. My conclusion from these experiments remains true to my hypotheses. Reactions were as mixed as I expected.
Many people have grown disenchanted with 3D, feeling it is taking over modern filmmaking. However, it is those same people who contribute to the funding of such movies by continuing to view them and thus provide monetary contribution. It seems that even though society as a whole is more critical of what information or entertainment they view, it does not change the fact that they themselves continue to support these mediums. With this in mind how far are we really from that endless, mindless mass of observers that my visual alluded to? I believe that anything in moderation can be implemented positively in our lives. In terms of 3D there are perhaps a handful of movies where this idea rings true. One such example is "Up" which was positively affected by the 3d genre the imaginative storyline of an old man putting his whole house in flight with the use of helium balloons idea was only heightened with the use of 3d. These types of stories and experiences should be savored and not exploded as they have been currently in the film industry. Technological advancements need time to breath, but society’s desire for instant gratification has made constant access to new technology imperative to keep the masses happy. Through this pattern new technological advancement is filed down to nothing more than a gimmick.
My concern with modern society is that technology will not facilitate the growth of art, talent or creativity but instead hinder its ability to exist. What used to drive a story, elements such as cinematography, writing, acting, and directing, is now only secondary to the spectacle created by 3D. Having said that, I do remain optimistic only to the idea that 3d is a necessary obstacle in the realization, value, and return to the classic formula of filmmaking which originally made humanity fall in love with cinema in the first place.
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