Representing 'the Real': Realism and visual culture in tourism, leisure and ethnography

Abstract

The collection and use of visual evidence is widespread in a wide range of academic
\nand professional activities. The paper explores the similarities and differences of a
\nrange of related phenomena: realism, documentary and authenticity. The status of
\nthe ‘realism effect’ is evaluated in a range of leisure activities with an emphasis on
\ntourism and the significance of realist texts in popular culture in narrative and nonnarrative
\nforms. The creative treatment of the representation of reality in the
\ndocumentary tradition is highlighted. The paper emphasises the pleasures to be
\ngained from ‘experiencing the real’ using semiotics and film theory, in particular.
\nThere is a discussion of the possible ideological effects of these pleasures as well as
\nmore fundamental matters relating to the extent to which we are able to actually
\nexperience the ‘real’ in any meaningful way. The argument develops that the
\npleasures of realist cultural forms may also be found in academic work too. The
\nrepresentations of reality using written and visual forms in ethnography are explored:
\nconsumers of academic work as well as popular cultural forms employ a series of
\ncodes and conventions and these forms may be subjected to post-structuralist
\nanalyses.