Inter-medial observations on the 'reflected' or 'deconstructed' illusion

In (post-modern) cinema, literature and art

Essai , 2009 , 14 Pages , Note: 1.0

Philologie Américaine - Littérature Comparée

In this self-study journal I aim to collect some comparative and inter-medial ideas on how illusion – here defined as different perspectives on reality in the arts - is reflected within the media of film, painting and literature. The perception of reality (especially in the medium of film) remains up to the present moment a controversial, and still largely unexplored topic in the fields of philosophy, neuroscience and film theory; therefore the intent of this ‘self-study journal’ is to focus on a small selection of examples of modern and postmodern film, literature and the visual arts (photography and painting). As well, I will explore a few selected quotations from manifestos in the tradition of early 20th century avant-garde and also will make brief reference to earlier periods.
When we accept the ‘reality’ that is shown to us in the movies, we are giving ourselves over to the illusion of cinema, that is being created by talented cast and crew in the production and carefully honed in post-production by skillful editing. The power of the illusion in cinema is to take us for the time being into another world, and ideally we forget for the moment that we are still sitting in a dark room with a large screen. In the medium of literature our imagination takes control of the world presented by the author’s words and is translated into a uniquely imagined reality that is created by the readers own imagination and recollection of memories. Like in the cinema, if a book grabs us we tend to forget our presence in the (‘real’) world for the time reading the book.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Inter-medial observations on the reflected or deconstructed illusion
• Introduction
• Reflected and Deconstructed Illusion: Cinema, Literature and Art
• The Power of Illusion in Cinema and Literature
• Deconstructing Illusion in Art: Self-reflexivity
• Examples of Deconstruction in Film
• The Birth of Cinema and the Illusion of Reality
• Post-modern Audiences and the Illusion of Cinema
• Scene Silencio in Mulholland Drive: A Case Study
• Breaking the Illusion of a Linear Narrative: Inland Empire
• Further Examples of Illusion Deconstruction in Film
• The Haunted Medium: The Ring
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This self-study journal examines the concept of illusion in cinema, literature, and art, focusing on how the illusion of reality is reflected or deconstructed within these media. It aims to explore examples of modern and postmodern works that challenge traditional notions of representation and audience engagement.

• The nature of illusion in different artistic media
• The role of self-reflexivity in deconstructing illusion
• The impact of technology and media on the perception of reality
• The audience's experience of illusion and its potential for manipulation
• The interplay between the real and the illusory in contemporary art

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of illusion in art and media, defining it as different perspectives on reality within various artistic mediums. It outlines the journal's focus on film, literature, and visual arts, as well as its approach to exploring examples of illusion reflection and deconstruction.
• Reflected and Deconstructed Illusion: Cinema, Literature and Art: This chapter delves into the concept of illusion as it manifests in cinema, literature, and art. It discusses the power of illusion to transport viewers into other worlds, and explores the ways in which artists and filmmakers intentionally break the illusion, creating self-reflexive works that engage the audience in a more direct way.
• The Power of Illusion in Cinema and Literature: This chapter examines the illusionary nature of cinema and literature, comparing the ways in which viewers and readers are drawn into fictional worlds. It highlights the importance of successful illusion creation in both mediums, referencing Henry James's view on the success of a work of art based on its ability to create an illusion of reality.
• Deconstructing Illusion in Art: Self-reflexivity: This chapter focuses on the intentional deconstruction of illusion in art. It explores the concept of self-reflexivity, where works of art acknowledge their own artifice and engage directly with the audience. This chapter also provides examples of historical precedents, arguing that the intentional breaking of illusion is not solely a characteristic of postmodern art, but rather has roots in earlier artistic movements.
• Examples of Deconstruction in Film: This chapter explores specific examples of illusion deconstruction in film. It examines scenes and techniques from various films, such as Mulholland Drive, Fight Club, and Amelie, demonstrating how these films challenge the traditional illusion of cinema and draw attention to their own medium.
• The Birth of Cinema and the Illusion of Reality: This chapter traces the development of cinema and its impact on audience perceptions of reality. It highlights the early audiences' susceptibility to the illusion of the moving image, illustrated by the reaction to the 1894 film Black Diamond Express. The chapter also discusses the evolution of cinematic technology and its role in shaping the human experience of visual media.
• Post-modern Audiences and the Illusion of Cinema: This chapter examines the relationship between postmodern audiences and the illusion of cinema. It explores how modern viewers, while aware of the artificiality of film, still experience it as a fully realized world. This chapter also discusses the influence of media theorist Jean Baudrillard and others on the understanding of reality in the age of mass media.
• Scene Silencio in Mulholland Drive: A Case Study: This chapter analyzes the pivotal scene "Club Silencio" from David Lynch's film Mulholland Drive as an example of illusion deconstruction. It describes the scene in detail, highlighting the ways in which the illusion of performance is revealed as a constructed and manipulated reality.
• Breaking the Illusion of a Linear Narrative: Inland Empire: This chapter examines David Lynch's film Inland Empire and its deliberate breaking of the illusion of a linear narrative. It discusses the film's fragmented and non-linear structure, leaving the audience to question the nature of reality within the film.
• Further Examples of Illusion Deconstruction in Film: This chapter expands on the discussion of illusion deconstruction in film, presenting additional examples from a range of movies. It explores the techniques and themes employed in these films, reinforcing the idea that the deconstruction of illusion is a recurring theme in contemporary cinema.
• The Haunted Medium: The Ring: This chapter analyzes the film The Ring as an example of how the illusion of media itself can become haunted. It explores the film's themes of fear, paranoia, and the potential for media to transcend its own boundaries.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This journal focuses on the concepts of illusion, self-reflexivity, and the deconstruction of illusion in film, literature, and art. Key themes include the perception of reality, the impact of technology on our understanding of the world, and the relationship between the audience and the artist. Examples from films like Mulholland Drive, Fight Club, and The Ring illustrate the ways in which artists and filmmakers utilize illusion and deconstruction to engage viewers in a complex and challenging way.

• Université: Humboldt-University of Berlin (Amerikanistik und Anglistik)
• Cours: Postmodern Cinema
• Note: 1.0
• Auteur: Bjoern Schubert (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2009
• Pages: 14
• N° de catalogue: V175345
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640962297
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640962570
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: illusion, postmodern, cinema, art, literature