DISNEYLAND
“When the real is no longer what it used to be, nostalgia assumes its full meaning. There is a proliferation of myths of origin and signs of reality; of second-hand truth, objectivity and authenticity... A panic-stricken production of the real and the referential, above and parallel to the panic of material production: this is how simulation appears in the phase that concerns us—a strategy of the real, neo-real and hyperreal whose universal double is a strategy of deterrence.”
— Jean Baudrillard, Simulations, 1981 “Disneyland is presented as imaginary in order to make us believe the rest is real, when in fact all of Los Angeles and the America surrounding it are no longer real, but of the order of the hyperreal and of simulation.” — Jean Baudrillard, The Precession of Simulacra, 1998 |
Disneyland and theme parks create a whole different world for me. When I
go with my family or my friends, we would be bedazzled by the beauty of this ‘false reality.’ Although I have matured, I love to go back to Disneyland and other theme parks as it always brings a smile to my face. It is an exciting place for me as I am able to see, touch, and be at a place I have dreamt of since I was a child. It is a place of nostalgia, evoking the innocent and pure feelings of happiness when I was young. I am in awe whenever I go to Disneyland because it is so beautiful and the magic is so real. It is a place that makes me forget about my worries and troubles by bringing a smile to my face. |
DISNEY
As a child, I grew up watching Walt Disney Movies. I was enchanted by the magical moments where the fairy Godmother transforms rags into a beautiful ball gown, the handsome prince falls in love with the princess, the witches cast spells along with the bubbling cauldron and talking broomsticks. From doing this topic for our group project, I have realised that I preferred to live in a world of hyperrealism since I was young. After watching a Disney movie, I will always feel happy at the end. It would make me feel warm inside, hoping and dreaming that I will have a ‘happily ever after’ ending like the princess and prince pictured in Disney movies. I was encapsulated in this world of fantasy and happiness as Disney movies showed me that I should not settle for anything less than true love and everlasting happiness. In retrospect, Disney fairies took me into a magical world of serenity and love, taking my imagination beyond reality and immersing into the hyperreality.
When I watch the Disney movies now that I have matured, I have a new, yet, better understanding of the meaning conveyed in the films. Perhaps it is the years and experiences I went through that enabled me to grasp a clearer understanding. It is the real experiences I went through that made me realise that I am not living in an everlasting happiness world. For instance, in the film, Pocahontas, there was no happy ending. This was because Pocahontas and John Smith lived different lives. Pocahontas had duties to the people of her village whilst John Smith needed to go back home to get better. Nevertheless, they did not give up their love. I have learnt that one does not have to be physically be with someone to love one another. They can be always with each other, even though they are far apart. |
Similarly, in Tarzan, the story is not based on a typical love at first sight. It is the pure innocence found in Tarzan and Jane's love that attracted me. Tarzan does not know anything about love and Jane tries her best to teach him about love while getting to know Tarzan. They did not mean to fall in love. The more they learn about each other, the more they like each other, until they eventually fell in love with each other. |
PARTY & MUSIC - ESCAPE FROM REALITY
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BEAUTY & MAKE-UP
On a similar note, I am cautious about the way I appear and represent myself in front of people. Facebook is a social interaction site, a virtual hyperreality. I have a Facebook page and I use it to remain in contact with friends and stay connected. However, it is also used as a way to present myself. As most of the other people do, I do not like to upload bad photos of myself on Facebook. I censor what we put up and change my privacy settings in order to present myself in a favourable way. |
I think that the spectrum of beauty is limited to an ‘ideal’ to be beautiful in our society today. In our society where technology and social media has become a large influence in our lives, we live in a ‘virtual’ reality where countless images, symbols and digital manipulation create an alternative reality. We are exposed to vast amount of images on the Internet, television and advertisements as these mediums are easily accessible. Here, we ‘idealise’ and limit the beauty of women who appear in these mediums, making it something that we are uncomfortable about achieving as most girls do not feel secure about their physical appearances. Similar to other girls, I like to put make-up on as it makes me feel secure. Yet, the act of putting make-up seems as though we are putting on another self; a mask - a different face. This creates a heightened reality that seems to be neither artificial nor an authentic representation of oneself. |