In connection with computergames the term “realistic graphics” is a blunt misnomer—seen from a philosophical, respectively epistemological vantage point. Computergame graphics are an instance of artistical depiction. Already for a long time there is a precise differentiation between “nature” and “reality” in fine art theory. A painting which as accurately as possible simulates what human beings—conditioned in, or by a given culture—visually percept within the outside world of physical things is not to be called “realistic,” but “naturalistic”, or “painted in a naturalistic style.”  The above picture is a clipping from a “hyperreal” oil painting by Robert Bechtle. ↑Jos … Continue reading →

  ↑KerLeone just told me that ↵thousand reminded him of the famous ↑Bravia television commercial:  Set to the stripped-down acoustic soundtrack of José González’ “Heartbeats”, 250,000 ‘superballs’ come flying, in slow motion, over the brow of a typical street in San Francisco, raining down on anything that gets in their way. And it was done without computer graphics. […]  In an age when CGI is commonplace, this makes the commercial all the more extraordinary. Every single frame was shot over two days—with the main sequence involving a 23-man camera crew and only one chance to get it right.  An entire … Continue reading →