Foster Response

I was surprised and confused at first by Foster's definition of "intermedia." When I first saw the term, which I was previously unfamiliar with, I figured it referenced some blending of multiple mediums. For example, the blending of film and music to make a movie. But Foster made his point clear to me with the following statement, "At its best, it is more a question of finding a means (in this case video) of motorizing ideas and expectations in different areas of activity." (Page 63) "Intermedia" thus becomes a special medium which engages with themes beyond its own materiality. Film does not only seek new ways to invent itself through techniques of cinematography and editing, but it also engages with social issues outside its realm. It is the latter which makes it intermedia, the seamless blending of artistry and social criticism.

It was interesting to me when Foster claimed, "the effectiveness of intermedia isn't unlike the effectiveness of a human being and this is why video, especially, has been characterized as an extension of the nervous system." (page 64) I understand his point here, as film often takes a personal and human tone when it touches on emotional problems. Film acts as a sort of super medium, offering not only an aural and visual experience, but also a narrative experience. It can tell a story, and use its aural and visual methods to intensify its meaning. When this is done effectively, its as if the audience is being told a story by a human being. He goes on to reference how Breder's work became less of a representation of his "art consciousness" and more of a display of his "world consciousness." In this example, the art becomes even more human, and cannot help but reveal personal opinions. Foster touches on this, stating "It can't, that is, avoid being socially relevant even if its relevance is achieved inadvertently."

I believe that statement to be true, and it is hard to find a video or film (the medium of film being a prime example of intermedia) that does not reveal something about the director, writer, or producers world view. No matter what the film discusses, there are often deeper social issues being touched upon, even if they are subliminal. One good example of this is last summers "The Dark Knight Rises." Being a recent movie, there are no good clips that exist online yet. To summarize, most of the film revolves around the villain's attempts to dissolve both social classes and the government. Watching the film, its hard to not be reminded of recent political and social issues such as the Tea Party Movement and the Occupy Wall Street movement. Depending on who you talk to, some claim director Christopher Nolan was using the film as a means of bashing the Tea Party, others argue he was criticizing Occupy. While Nolan has rejected both views and claims the film is neutral and simply meant to tell a story, its impossible to watch this film and not find evidence of social criticism. This displays Foster's description of intermedia closely. Nolan couldn't help but interject his social views into the film, even if they weren't on purpose. The film delivered its messages with a  human emotion that ventured outside of the boundaries of its medium. It dealt with real world social issues, rather than issues pertaining only to itself (i.e. what is film?) Thus, "The Dark Knight Rises serves as a good example of what Foster describes as intermedia.