When cinema leaves the screen: how video art changes the perception of reality

Cinema as a window into reality: the traditional perception of film

Cinema has remained a powerful tool for conveying history, emotions, and meanings for decades. It was a kind of “window into reality” through which viewers could see and experience other people’s worlds, events and lives. For a long time, cinema was perceived as a means of creating the illusion of reality, where the screen was the dividing line between the viewer and what was happening on the screen. And yet, despite this vivid “presence effect”, the viewer remained a passive observer, and the film was an object for contemplation.

Cinema, based on the traditional method of storytelling through narrative, music, color and editing, provided viewers with an experience in which the plot and visual images were closely intertwined, but did not go beyond the screen. Spatial and temporal boundaries remained strictly limited, and the viewer had no opportunity to influence the development of events. However, with the development of new technologies and video platforms, cinema began to gradually move away from these established frameworks, creating completely new ways to involve viewers in the process.

Moving from screen to space: how video art expands the boundaries of perception

In recent decades, video art has begun to develop not only as a form of cinema, but also as a separate art practice that takes works beyond the screen, creating new ways of perception. One of the most striking examples of this process is the development of installations and exhibitions, where video and cinema are no longer limited to passive observation. In such works, the viewer becomes a part of what is happening, finding himself inside the work.

These works are often created using huge screens, projectors, mirrors, as well as other technologies that allow the viewer to move around in the space of the work, interact with it, and sometimes even choose exactly how the situation will develop. This expands the boundaries of perception, turning the film into something more than just an audiovisual experience. In such installations, viewers can feel themselves inside the created world, actively perceive and interpret what is happening. This allows us to destroy the usual ideas about cinema as a linear and static process.

Interactivity and viewer participation: new forms of video art

One of the most exciting aspects of video art is interactivity. Video as art becomes not just an object for perception, but also an environment in which the viewer can actively participate. Unlike traditional cinema, where the viewer is in a state of observation, in interactive video art the viewer himself becomes a part of the work, influencing its course or result.

Interactivity can manifest itself in a variety of forms: from choosing a plot in a movie (for example, in projects like “choose your way”) before participating in the virtual reality being created, where the viewer can change the world around them, interact with objects and characters. This opens up new possibilities for personalized perception and even creates the opportunity for multiple experiences — the film or installation will be different each time, depending on the choice and behavior of the viewer.

Immersive Technology: When Film becomes Reality

Immersive technologies are the next step in the evolution of video art, which allows viewers to literally get into a movie or art object. Virtual reality, augmented reality, sensory effects and other high-tech solutions make it possible to fully immerse yourself in the audiovisual space. These technologies open up unique opportunities for artists and filmmakers who can create not just films, but entire worlds where the audience becomes an integral part of them.

Unlike traditional cinema, where events take place on the screen and where the viewer watches what is happening from a certain distance, immersive technologies allow him to become not only a witness, but also an active participant in the story. In such installations and screenings, viewers can physically move around, explore the world around them, interact with characters, and participate in the development of the plot. This is the creation of a new level of immersion in art, where the viewer not only watches the film, but also “lives” in it.

Aesthetics of video games and art cinema: the intersection of worlds and genres

With the development of video games and video art, we increasingly see the intersection of these two areas. Elements of game design, virtual spaces, interactivity, and the use of technologies specific to video games are increasingly found in art cinema and video art. This interesting intersection of worlds leads to the creation of completely new art forms, where acting and cinema become inseparable.

Video games, like movies, can tell deep stories and provide viewers with unique experiences, but their key feature is that they require the active participation of the player. In art cinema, we are also starting to see more and more elements inherent in games, such as open worlds, the ability to choose and adapt the plot, as well as the creation of virtual worlds in which the viewer can be not only an observer, but also an active creator.

The Future of video art: how will it continue to change the perception of reality

The future of video art will be determined by the development of technology and increased interaction between art and the viewer. Every year, innovations change the way video productions are created and perceived, making them more interactive and immersive.

The main trends of the future of video art:

• Artificial intelligence and neural networks will help create unique works adapted to the viewer in real time.
• Biometric technologies will allow art to respond to the emotions of the viewer, creating a personalized experience.
• Immersive virtual worlds will make video art not just a means of expression, but a full—fledged space for experiencing.
• New forms of storytelling — blurring the boundaries between cinema, art and reality will lead to the creation of stories in which the viewer can change the course of events.
• The video art of the future is not just a new cinema format, but a new reality in which the viewer becomes not only an observer, but also a participant and sometimes a co—author of the creative process.

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