Prolegomena regarding critical media aesthetics
In: Zbornik Matice Srpske za društvene nauke: Proceedings for social sciences, Heft 137, S. 495-507
ISSN: 2406-0836
Contemporary technology and media era is characterized by aesthetics
domination over logic, ethics and metaphysics. The reality is replaced by
simulation and the picture is more important that the truth. The narcissistic
media shape not only one's perception, but one's experience of the world,
creation of taste and system of values. Therefore, we need a new media
aesthetics that would lead to the development of critical media sensitivity
and comprehension of how media messages emerge and affect the audience. If
there is no critical aesthetics, there exists anesthesia. Being both a media
perception theory and media taste critique, media aesthetics can contribute
to creating a new media culture, realizing human potentials and improving
communication rationality. Aesthetics is a prerequisite of media literacy and
critical media pedagogy. In such a world media can serve as creative
extensions of human perception, tools for comprehension and socialization in
such a way as suggested by poet William Blake: If the doors of perception
were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite.