Nowadays, the rapid development of digital technology (especially the invention of photography) has radically changed the concept of Nostalgia. Nostalgia is no longer a longing for the past that can never be returned. Now, there is an eternal present in all of our lives. The simultaneous concentration of all information and news networks in the world on current events, the increase of news channels broadcasting live constantly and constantly determining the agenda (moments) eliminate that unique moment (the real present) that belongs to us.
The concept of nostalgia is a moment isolated from real time. Return means "nostos" in Greek and "algos" means sorrow. In other words, nostalgia actually means a grief resulting from an unfulfilled desire to return. This unfulfilled desire to return carries the meaning of grief for those of us who cannot get enough of the abundance of news and images today. Today, we experience the lack (hopelessness) of the present moment rather than the longing for the past.
The nostalgic connection established with moments trapped in frames in the archives or in the past has left its place to the moments of the seductive entity that wants to show its continuous appearance, which has no depth and naturalness in our age. The entity no longer says "I was there and I exist" and "I am just an image whose spell has been broken". It is as if this nostalgic reality in the images of the past that aches our hearts is alive, but we are dead. One of the most important reasons for this is that we live in a synchronous world instead of real time.
It is no longer possible for a historical moment and an important image to remain permanent in our digital lives forever. The most important reason for this is that our mental freedom areas are artificially revived again and again on virtual platforms. We are no longer nostalgic emotional beings who witness the absence. We now look at our past photographs less and store more images (and we almost never look at them again). With the development of technology, so many images have been stored and communicated through digital networks that so many images have been stored. It seems like we will never have time to look at piles of memories and images anymore.
On the other hand, "longing for the past" through information and software (Instagram, retro photo and video software, etc.) destroys the concept of nostalgia more and more every day instead of strengthening it. Nostalgia is no longer turning into a tribute to that moment, but to the technology that created that moment. While our relationship with the past recreates that moment through integration and circuits, it eliminates the concept of real nostalgia. As our power to forget begins to disappear, instantaneous amnesia dominates our lives.
In the past, being in a photo frame (or taking it) was a proof that we were there. Today, being in a photo frame is a way of being everywhere. While this gives the individual unlimited freedom in every matter, it always brings with it the concept of looking at life from someone else's screen. Today, we constantly see moments (videos, photos, news) that have been viewed and shared by other users. In short, the view of others is starting to become our view. In the world of unlimited free actions that we think belong to ourselves, we have an energy and energy belonging to others. The will, the tastes and wishes of others constitute our current perspective.
Going back to the concept of nostalgia, in an age where everywhere is covered with different networks and software systems, the concept of nostalgia reaches an exaggerated level - with the help of technology - and disappears. At this point, the deep meanings, ideologies and values in old photographs disappear. There is no longer a need for a real memory. Because the images that form memories can be produced digitally. By choosing to create a copy instead of witnessing that moment, we have eliminated the nature of the act of taking photographs.
Perhaps in the near future, the world will be shaped not under the dominance of images, but of high-resolution images without depth. Our moments consisting of completely illuminated areas, where darkness and the smallest mysterious areas disappear, will come to light. Thus, one day in the future, when someone looks at our photographs, they will not have an idea about the time dimension. Because the randomness of a look that creates that moment, its relationship with the distance of light, and its gradual formation will not be possible. Since this relationship cannot create that moment, perhaps that day will be free from the concept of nostalgia. will not be mentioned.
Ali Alışır
2013