非虚构的“浸入转向”:虚拟现实与影像纪实

The Immersive Turn of Nonfiction: Virtual Reality and Documentary Image

本文结合前沿非虚构VR项目的呈现方式与叙事形式,对围绕VR技术赋予非虚构影像的三种特征(在场、共情、行动)进行了深入分析。尝试透过非虚构VR内容早期生产者群体里弥漫的技术乐观主义氛围,讨论非虚构VR作为一种影像纪实手段的潜力和局限。本文认为,VR技术对于人类信息生产与接受模式的潜能显然是巨大的,但就目前条件看,"非虚构"更多是引领这种技术不断发展和普及的"早期采用者"及其背后的全球高科技公司所采用的一种话语策略。研究者应当正视迅速壮大的非虚构VR话语背后的权力关系问题,即到底是什么力量支配着"非虚构VR"这个字眼迅速走红,并不断为它赋予传播与文化上的正当性。

This article uses methods of case studies to interpret and destruct the three predominant types of conceptual framework around nonfiction VR-presence, empathy, agency, tries to disperse the prevailing techno?utopianism among early nonfiction VR content producers, and discusses the potency and limitation of nonfiction VR as a means of documentary image. The article concludes that even though VR has great potential to alter mainstream patterns of information production and reception in human society, imder current historical conditions, nonfiction VR is more of a discursive strategy coined by early adopters and the global hi-tech companies who benefit from the fast development and social penetration of the technology. Serious and critical inquiries are needed to discover the power structure that's behind the discourse of nonfiction VR and justifying its practices.