From Stage Actor to Screen Projection: Where Does Authenticity Lie in Virtual Performance?
The Problem with Perfection
Can a digital character feel as real as a human artist?
When you see a superstar like Japan's Hatsune Miku—a computer-generated pop idol—sell out massive arenas and even open for Lady Gaga, you have to ask: What exactly is the audience experiencing? If Miku isn't a "real" person, where does the magic come from?
In this post, I'll use the philosophical lens of Walter Benjamin's concept of Aura to explore how we perceive these virtual performers and what their rise means for the future of entertainment.
The Aura Behind the Scenes
Benjamin argued that the Aura of an artwork (its unique presence in time and space) is damaged by technical reproduction. But what about a work entirely built on technical effort and reproduction?
Bringing Miku to life requires massive labor: programmers, sound designers, animators, and engineers working behind the curtain. Benjamin himself acknowledged that technical apparatus could substitute for a stage actor's performance. If we apply Benjamin’s definition that inanimate objects can possess an Aura, then the complex, custom-built apparatus used to project Miku onto the stage might possess the Aura. However, even Benjamin's mountain requires the sun and millions of years of preparation. Similarly, the projection apparatus requires human preparation, programming, and tireless configuration.
Our Conclusion: The true source of Miku's initial Aura might not be on the stage at all, but far behind the scenes, born from the collective, intense effort of the human team making the spectacle possible.
The Aura of the Crowd
Let's look at the concert through a different set of eyes: the "Emotional Listener". This is the concert-goer who is purely there to feel the music, sing along, and ignore technical details—they are wholly immersed.
The Reproduction Trap: If we follow Benjamin, because Miku's show is technically reproducible (it’s a pre-programmed concert), its Aura should wither. Yet, stadiums are full of passionately singing fans.
A Shift in Perception: Benjamin observed that massive historical changes (like the rise of digital technology) alter human sensory perception. Since his death in 1940, our collective perception has undeniably changed.
Club Culture as a Clue: Consider a packed nightclub. People are dancing, singing, and fully engaged, often to pre-recorded music played by a DJ—no traditional "live band" Aura is present.
The Audience as the Attraction: I propose that our perception has shifted toward the collective experience. In a virtual performance, the joy, dancing, and collective energy of the massive crowd itself generates a powerful, tangible Aura of the Audience. Much like a football fan who goes to the stadium for the atmosphere, Miku fans seek the shared, electrifying presence of their fellow fans.
In this scenario, whether the stage features human musicians or a virtual avatar becomes secondary to the intoxicating collective spirit of the crowd.
Economic and Ethical Considerations
Regardless of where the Aura lies, the rise of virtual performers opens up new doors—and potential pitfalls—for the industry.
Unprecedented Exhibibility: Virtual artists can be "exhibited" simultaneously across the globe in ways a single human musician never could. This offers labels and producers immense, unprecedented opportunities for revenue and reach.
The Control Factor: Unlike human artists, a virtual figure always says yes. They perform exactly as programmed, never tire, and have no personal ethical boundaries. The label maintains full control over every piece of media, content, and message conveyed.
A Call for Vigilance: We must be critically aware of this control. As virtual performers multiply, there is a risk that powerful entities could use these tireless, controversy-free avatars to subtly inject political or commercial messages into global media, influencing audiences (especially young people) on a massive scale.
Conclusion: The Blended Reality
Where does Hatsune Miku's magic truly reside?
The truth likely lies in a blended reality: the meticulous human effort creating the show, combined with the powerful, collective Aura generated by the passionate audience.
As technology continues to advance, the line between virtual and human performance will blur further. It is up to us, as consumers and creators, to view these new art forms with both excitement and a critical eye, appreciating the creativity while staying mindful of the technology that makes it all possible.
