Virtual reality v actuality
I would like to start a new Rust debate of virtual reality, which I will call virtuality, against actuality.
In a recent article in The Spectator Martin Gayford considered this as museum and art galleries shut down, then offered the possibility of viewing their art on line.
He felt a photograph of it is not the same as standing before a work of art but concluded that these days it’s the best you can get. I could not agree more.
After my recent trip to Delft I returned with a poster of Delft by that famous son of the town Johannes Vermeer. I had it framed but it looks thin as it lacks depth.
Contrast this with another I acquired – a painting by a much lesser known Dutch artist that has conveyed all the bustle and detail of street life in Delft.
True, a virtual tour of the Rijksmuseum avoids the queues and their not inconsiderable charges of entrance. But you don’t have to visit state museums.
In the area of Holborn alone you can visit The Courtauld, the British Museum, Sir John Soane with its Hogarths and the Foundling Museum for free in relative tranquility.
Not so far away is the Wallace Collection.
In New York there is the Frick collection with its Fragonards and in Philadelphia the Barnes Collection. There is nothing to compare to viewing live.
This said, I do enjoy my art library.
Taschen produce the best plates and their works on Rembrandt and Klimt a joy.
The only problem is the accompanying text is rather dull.
The issue of actuality v. virtuality arose in the adult learning centre three Rusters attend.
I attend the art course and J the course tutor has become a good friend.
She sounded me out on the notion of lessons online as the institute is closed and likely to remain so for the foreseeable future.
I was against this as (1) I enjoy the ambience of the class; (2) one of the class could be politely classified as ‘senior’ and is not that comfortable with digital technology.
For one lady it’s a break from caring for her disabled husband. I also wonder at home whether I would be distracted by the cat, mobile incoming calls, emails, deliveries etc.
No – it’s actuality for me.
