Hyperreality is a theory explored by Jean Baudrillard. He suggested that as a postmodern and media-saturated society, we experienced ‘the death of the real’. Therefore, a postmodern society dwells in the realms of hyperreality. Hyperreality is the overlapping of the real and the simulation so that the two are undistinguishable from one another. Consciously, one is unable to tell reality and the fiction apart. Baudrillard suggested that individuals are more aware and in line with hyperreality, than reality itself. For example, sitcoms and TV shows are simulations of reality, but were are drawn to those more so than our own lives. The concept is closely related to that of ’simulacrum’, a term used to describe a false copy of something. However, Baudrillard developed them term and posited that the notion of a true or false copy no longer exists because we rely so heavily on the media and Internet. Instead, he suggested that the simulations of reality that exist are not any more or less real that the reality which they reflect. Our current day is described as third order of simulacra by Baudrillard because our wold is dominated by simulations. This means that although these simulations may mimic or parallel something else, there is in fact no original. We experienced the death of the real.
In terms of my work, this seems relevant. I am wanting to explore the voice of the viewer and the artist, have them overlap to be indistinguishable. I suggest that as with the death of the real, we are experiencing the death of the artist and the death of the viewer. Barthes suggested the death of the author being the brith of the viewer, sadly my proposition is not as optimistic. Nevertheless, by suggesting that this simultaneous death is occurring, perhaps it will make both parties question their role.
Puneet Bhachu 