The Virtual Window: From Alberti to Microsoft

Our eyes and sight, our consciousness and thoughts, our inquisitiveness and knowledge... form both the scene and content as well as the frame and window... of our visual world. Without these windows, would we be capable of focusing upon either the broadness or the fine granularity, the details, of everyday life? Prof. Friedberg prods our underlying assumptions and taken-for-granted awareness of what it is to be alive.

Although I have yet to completely read this book, I have read a few chapters and am finding it very interesting and easier to read than a lot of the assignments for Space and Representation Art History class. It works as a great survey text, the introduction lays out exactly what she will be covering and it progresses in a logical manner. Friedberg's analysis of Alberti's window were particularly intriguing. I recommend this for anyone interested in the development of space and virtuality.

Refreshing new ideas, Brilliant amazing book!

Great reference for those interested in art, technology and history.

The movie screen, the TV screen, and the computer screen have become part of our everyday experience - substitutes for the architectural window that frames a view, and for the frame around a painting. But only in the last two decades have multiple screens become familiar. Typically film and TV both display a single frame on a single screen, despite other possibilities. What does it mean to "frame" an idea or experience using the new digital technologies? How does it change our "perspective"? Anne Friedberg takes up these issues with extraordinary theoretical sophistication and an impressive knowledge of history.

best

great book, nicely laid out and easy to read. Approaches the topic from a much broader point of view, looking at philosophical aspects.

A good read for academics.The most striking thing about this book is that it is 247 pages of text, followed by 98 pages of end notes.It's that kind of book.