Reiner Riedler
www.photography.at
Superman over Red Square, Turkey
The horizon #01, Tropical Island, Germany
Wild River, Florida
Minsk World, Former Russian Aircraft Carrier, Chin
Indoor Balloon Safari, Tropical Islands, Germany
The Skier, Indoor Skiing Hall, Germany
The Astronaut, Tourist Entertainer, Turkey
The Fog, Spraying insectizides, Turkey
The Talk, Indoor Skiing Hall, Dubai
The Cage, Centerpark, Germany
Reiner Riedler
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FAKE HOLIDAYS
When wishes are out of reach, simulation is taking over our leisure time and our holidays. Imaginary worlds are created, often under massive technological exertion, in order to offer us experience as reproducible merchandise.
Skiing, in Dubai, singing gondoliers in Las Vegas, an indoor South Sea beach at the “Tropical Islands” – the range of artificial attractions vying for attention is expanding every day.
The bandwidth of such simulacra begins with charming low-budget self-made play worlds – for instance, those of role-players who cob together their own costumes and go camping in the woods, plunging into enchanted realms of their own design. At the other end of the scale, the leisure industry is investing seven-figure sums in theme parks and resort hotels like the Kremlin Palace on the Turkish Riviera, which also features a replica of Moscow’s St. Basil’s Cathedral.
Although most people consider authenticity and genuineness to be important values, the artificial attractions are already luring tourists away from traditional destinations.
Operators like to argue that in certain respects their artificial worlds are even better than the real thing. There is sure to be snow even in summer, and the sand beach is hot all winter. No avalanches, no malaria, and getting there takes a fraction of the time. Those who want to experience a firefight or a film shooting can get what they want easily and safely at a theme park.
The range of “artificial” experiences available is increasing steadily, as is public acceptance of them, while the rapid pace of technological innovation is making them more realistic all the time. In the long run, widespread interaction with such attractions will likely diminish their novelty value and establish their position as another aspect of entertainment culture. There is no doubt that simulations will increasingly become a part of everyday life – hopefully enhancing it and not replacing it.
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