Andrea Riba
21st century computer programed virtual realities seem to be founded on a premise in which a one-dimensional world is constructed around imaginary elements, regardless of whether or not said reality is supposedly reflecting a realistic world. The world encompasses a meta-reality in which the hypothetical web of possibilities reflects the future, or the impossible. Despite these characteristics orbiting a far-fetched world, the notion of a virtual reality seems closer to our world than we think. Ironically, this may seem like an unusual idea precisely because we are actively engaged in this reality every pulsing day, in which its commonness camouflages its unordinary nature. Specifically, I refer to the use of photographs imprinting the representations of ourselves and our environment to the world- mirroring our activity, experiences, and our essence, but how identical is the reflection of a mirror if it creates two? Reflections are always deceiving, although this thought rarely passes our mind due to said commonness. Is the documentation of said activities solely driven by an audience? Is sharing comparing? Is the selfie a means to reassure oneself of their position in their social sphere and the world by presenting a perfectly constructed image of oneself? Through this lens, it seems as though an image with the hopes of reaching an audience would morph its content. Here, the notion of a virtual reality seems closer than we think, as digital representations of ourselves and our environments often reach far beyond reality.
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