New Media 3-4

In chapters 3 and 4, we learn about every thing from synthetic realism to interactivity. I found this to be one of the more interesting readings in the class thus far, because it discussed the differences between a primitive illustration (paintings) and today's illustrations (3-d). Manovich write of the differences by saying:

"Despite this difference, the ability to generate three-dimensional stills does not represent a radical break in the history of visual representation of the multitude comparable to the achievements of Giotto. A Renaissance painting and a computer image employ the same technique (a set of consistent depth cues) to create an illusion of space -- existent or imaginary. The real break is the introduction of a moving synthetic image -- interactive 3D computer graphics and computer animation. With these technologies, a viewer has an experience of moving around the simulated 3D space -- something one can't do with an illusionistic painting."

I believe Manovich did an excellent job at stating plainly the main difference which is of time and space. When I read the last sentence about "moving around the simulated 3D space," I immediately thought of the interactive game system, The Wii. With the Wii, one can exercise in a different environment from where they presently stand. One can box a competitor who is not even in the same room, or go through an outdoor obstacle course while standing in their living room. This is where synthetic realism is at work. While performing these tasks with the computer system, one actually feels like they are in a different environmet. Not to take away from the beauty of an old illusive renassaince painting, but it can in no way compare to the illusion proposed by 3D.