Digital Realms and Spaces

Hyperreality and hyperrealism is woven into digital realms though so many mediums some of which will be explored in this webpage. It is unclear sometimes whether what we are viewing is real or not. Our perception of what is reality is can be based on what we see, hear, feel or touch, these senses are what the imagination grants us to make a judgment weather what we are experiencing is false or real.  If an object is real then it exists whether our consciousness says so or not. Hyperreality is images placed within an environment to make us perceive them as reality. Examples could be brochures advertising cars or model magazines which have been air brushed to perfection, constructed images or objects become hyperrealism. 

The digital world we live in today has had a profound impact on Art. It has revolutionised artistic creativity, accessibility, consumer consumption and awareness. The internet and digital media have become part of people’s everyday lives so it goes without saying it will have impacted artists and their work. 

Image manipulation occurs when a digital image or photograph is altered, copied, adapted, or changed in any manner from its original state. This can be done intentionally by the user or unintentionally when our data is shared online. There have been quite significant consequences politically and socially when privacy and ethical considerations have been breached.

Speaking from experience it has changed the way I work for the last three years. Building websites to promote my craft, editing and altering my own photos to get the ‘best image’. 

Having taken myself away from the digital consumer world of TV, News , social media and internet between 2017-2020 I’ve been amazed at how much everything has changed during that time. I now have clearer understanding of how these things effected my mental wellbeing.

The internet has a clear and present influence on our perception of what is Real and what is Fake. Sometimes it’s hard to define the differences. With access so many images at our fingertips how can we really know if an image has been altered or manipulated? We carry access to the digital world in our pockets!

This image was created using AI technology which manipulates images into well known characters. Cartoon images are considered forms of Hyperreality due to their amplified and exaggerated representations of people and objects. Cartoon images have always existed to provide an alternative view or comical factor. The emotion they invoke in audiences can vary from political to comical sometimes both. Starting out with black and white sketch images (P, Beard. 2018). The famous Phil May author of Punch Uk comic in 1837, produced images which soon became sort after by the advertising industry.

These concepts caught on and small comic strips would start to appear in newspapers and finally into comics strips and zines in their own right comics and cartoon images are much loved by children and adults.  The Simpsons is a great example of this. Using what’s going on the world to exaggerate scenarios or scenes to make the viewer feel more intensely about the story or themes they are trying to convey to audiences. (Insider 2021) explains the decades of change in appearance of the drawings for the Simpson characters and the impact of digital technology and media has had on their production of cartoon series. 

This image was a snap shot of North Decota in USA, grid reference….47°59'23"N 97°28'15"W .  

 I was inspired to explore this area from watching a tv documentary called “what on earth” unexpectedly stumbling onto such amazing bright green colour tones and textures.  The zoom tools enable quick and easy access to vast landscapes from a 2d and 3d perspective. Satellite image was last updated in 2015. 

Google earth isn’t new but how it is being used to create works of art are evident to how artists are breaking tech barriers to find new ways of developing thier skills. The works of David hockey have a striking resemblance to some of the formations and patterns.  David hockey embraced the digital art world during times of Covid, using his iPad to create thousands of digitaly drawn pictures. 

More images can be found on the photo gallery below. 

After the workshop on social media and influencers I used what I had learned and put into action creating a reel of my favourite pictures relating to Valentine’s Day. I added music, words to each picture and other information throughout such as qr code and address of business .  These all keep the viewers attention and interest.  As you can see it got 493 views which is the most I have ever received for one video or reel of pictures.  Digital art mixed with social media can grow your business.