Contemporary postmodern culture is dominated, according to French cultural theorist, Jean Baudrillard, by simulation and hyperreality. In postmodern culture the image has become the new reality — or hyperreality — a virtual world floating above the real world in its own sealed off hermetic envelope. It is a culture that has lost touch with its referents in the real world, and one where, paradoxically, the term ‘real’ has been hi-jacked by the multi-national conglomerates. It’s the ‘real thing’, a Coca-Cola world of industrially manufactured, ‘natural’ ingredients. In a world where the imaginary becomes the ‘real’, there is no longer a place for the real. In the ‘perfect crime’ of the twentieth century reality itself has been stolen. This course in contemporary cultural theory interrogates the theme of hyperreality not only through a close reading of various theoretical texts, but also through movies. The theoretical texts consulted are by cultural theorists, such as Jean Baudrillard, Guy Debord, Umberto Eco, Judith Butler, Slavoj Zizek and Fredric Jameson. The course looks at contemporary culture as a laboratory of the immediate present, an experimental breeding ground for possible realities. It also reappraises the role of fantasy as being constitutive of how we see the world, and examines the emerging field of ‘design fictions’ in architectural and design culture.
Saturday 30th of May – Sunday 31st of May. Each session will take 3 hours.
SCHEDULE
Session 1
Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles
This introductory session introduces students to the main themes of the course. The session starts with a critique of Umberto Eco who in his book, Travels in Hyperreality, seems to offer a pejorative outlook on US culture in general, and West Coast culture in particular. This is contrasted with the much more sympathetic view of Reyner Banham, who made a movie to celebrate the creative role of fantasy in this culture.
Session 2
Fake Gucci
This session introduces students to an alternative interpretation of the term ‘hyperreality’ to be found in the work of French sociologist and cultural theorist, Jean Baudrillard, who also wrote a book about America. The session explores not only ‘hyperreality’ but also other concepts to be found in Baudrillard’s work, such as ‘simulation’, ‘simulacra’, ‘seduction’, the ‘ecstasy of communication’ and touches on the thinking of Slovenian philosopher and psychoanalytic theorist, Slavoj Zizek, on the subject of the virtual and the real.
Session 3
Drag Space
What do we mean by ‘place’ in a world that has become globalised? And what role might architecture play within this context. This lecture explores various understandings of place through the lens of cultural theorists, Fredric Jameson, Homi Bhabha and Judith Butler.
Session 4
Design Fictions
Here we will look at the rapidly emerging field of Design Fictions that is having an increasingly significant impact on design culture worldwide, and considers its relevance to design.
* indicates required readings.
Enrollment is open now !
Students who are interested, kindly join the workshop group
Studio Group link : http://dia-live.com/se/groupitem/Hitchhicker-Guide-to-Hyperreality
