The document discusses the concept of reality and how it is portrayed or represented. It raises questions about whether art and science depict reality through mere surface appearance or ideal truths. It also discusses historical concepts of realism from Aristotle to 19th century realism and how realism developed to include ordinary people and contemporary issues. Technological developments like photography were also noted as influencing the portrayal of reality over time. The overarching message is that reality is a relative concept that is not fixed, and its depiction has evolved with technology.

1. Mass Communication & Media
Literacy 09
1

2. 2
Experts raise
doubts
http://www.guardian.c
o.uk/world/2004/may/
03/iraq.military/print

3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3716151.stm
3

4. http://www.michaelmoore.com
4

5. What is reality anyway?
How can we know reality?
5

6. 6
Luhman
Luhman (2000: 1

7. 7
Roman
Jacobson
Historical Realisms

8. Historical Realism
8
Aristotle Terms
 Mimesis
Do art and the sciences
imitate
the world in its ‘mere’ surface
appearance or in terms of its
ideal ‘truths’?
 Verisimilitude

9. 19th Century Realism
9
Truthful, objective,
impartial representations of
the real
World based on meticulous
observation

10. The daguerreotype
10
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daguerreotype

11. 11
Raymond
William
A Lecture on Realism
The development of Realism:
A move towards social extension –
including the working classes
A movement towards action about the
present – the inclusion of contemporary
issues
An emphasis on secular action – action
including human figures
the inclusion of the
ordinary
The inclusion of the
profane
http://www.afterall.org/journal/issue.5/lecture.realism
* The development of technology

12. Summary
12
Reality and its depiction is not a fixed or constant
category
Reality is a relative concept

13. 13
Media
Timeline
http://www.cemp.ismy
site.co.uk/timelines/me
dia/
Look at the timeline on
this website.
What is the relationship
between emerging
technologies and the
nature of the ‘real’.