In her essay, "The Virtual Window", Anne Friedberg discussed the ways in which the window (and our perception of it) have changed over time. She begins with the earliest literal windows, whose purpose was to bring in light and ventilation. She then discusses the power of the metaphorical windows: photography, film, television, and the computer. She presents the idea that the purpose of the window, as well as the physical manifestation of it, has changed dramatically over time, and will surely continue to evolve further.
I found this article and the ideas within to be incredibly interesting. I had not gone to the lengths to consider what the window truly represents in our society. I feel that the most interesting idea presented was the fact that human beings have such a desire to not only experience the outside world, but capture it in some way and consume it as a comodity. I look at my own life; my own interests and passions, and realize that some of the most important things in my life are my own ways of capturing the outside world through these windows. I think many people, especially the types of people who end up at Purchase, would feel the same way. We use art or music or film or photography to experience the world, or at least a small piece of it.
Of course an important topic brought up in the article is whether or not these virtual windows are a good thing. Having 24 hour access to a vision of the world that is controlled, created, bought, and sold by individuals creates a big problem. The images that are presented in these windows can be so easily manipulated and taken out of context that it's almost impossible to trust anythign that you see in them. One can easily mistake a complete lie for the truth and a virtual world for reality. On the other hand however, these windows can present an individual with some of the most beautiful images and works of art imaginable. Is it fair to deny people of that because of the fact that these images could be (or most likely are) manipulative. I believe that these virtual windows have given a great gift to individuals. If one looks at the world inside with a discerning eye and realizes that these images are not reality, but a version of reality, then they can enjoy them to the fullest. Also, film, photography, televison, and virtual technology provide a great starting point for a person to find out what the world has to offer, if and when they decide to step beyond the virtual window into the real world.
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I strongly agree that as long as a person does not accept what is shown through one of these windows as absolute fact but merely as an individuals perception of fact then there is no problm with them being used at all. They can be used as an extension and tool to help express things otherwise unexplainable. How a person presents it though can be tricky.
If you look at any number of movies you often see different races and cultures being portrayed as however the society or filmmaker perceives them. Most of these films rely on the standard stereotypes of there times. These films for the most part though are not trying to present the viewer with reality though, but a form of entertainment. If you had a magazine such as National Geographic though they have a different agenda and different responsibility to present the public with fact instead of perception.
The viewer of any of these windows must be aware of the intention and source of the piece being veiwed before accepting any sort of fact from it.
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