Gunning is a little dense with his wording, but from what I can tell, he begins by breaking down the short film "A train arriving at the station" which is pretty much just a demo for this new piece of technology. Gunning then analyzes the somewhat comical reaction the film received from the audience, which was pure terror. Apparently people actually thought the grainy black and white moving image of a train was going to burst through the theater walls, crushing them in a violent display of mayhem and destruction.
Gunning then goes on to discuss how the invention of film evolved from there, such as its uses in shows to create illusions and apparent miracles. As he goes on to describe these shows, Gunning not only portrays the aesthetics of these attractions as well as their meanings, but also goes into great detail on the impacts and impressions these types of shows had on minds of the audience. He explains how these types of phenomena have shaped cultures and fueled various areas of our market throughout the nineteenth century.
Aesthetics of Astonishment - Tom Gunning
ReplyDeleteGunning’s begins talking about the Lumiere’s film, Arrival of a Train at the Station because of the supposed “visual trauma” it possessed. So I watched it and realized it was stunning at the time to the audience because it was new and visually simulating. And everybody likes new stuff! This makes sense why Gunning’s would use this example (Arrival of a Train at the Station) to began his piece.
People begin to figure out that film isn’t real, only moving images; so film makers and promoters get really clever (illusions, effects, etc.). I think the reason films became popular is partly because it was new and looked awesome, plus the film makers become aware of films capabilities to hipnotis its viewers with its flashing lights. Film could be only for documenting events and no one could care about movies and television. But its not. I partly agree with Gunner‘s thoughts on the “viewer’s curiosity”. Like he mentions the film Electrocuting an Elephant, I watched that too but I had to sign in so that someone could make sure I’m over eighteen years old. This curiosity of violence and curiosity of things people may or may not have seen before is what someone else wants us to see whether its in a panoramic perceptive or projected. And they usually want us to pay for it too. I think because this noticed phenomena occurred film maker’s and propagandist will use this tool in the way that with want until a new astonishment arrives.