"Stendhal syndrome, Stendhal's syndrome, hyperkulturemia, or Florence syndrome is a psychosomatic illness that causes rapid heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations when an individual is exposed to art, usually when the art is particularly beautiful or a large amount of art is in a single place. The term can also be used to describe a similar reaction to a surfeit of choice in other circumstances, e.g. when confronted with immense beauty in the natural world." Wikipedia
We are exposed to hundreds of images or videos every day. The Internet is the biggest gallery that ever existed. Are we still susceptible to Stendhal syndrome? I'd argue that it is still possible.
When you visit huge museums or other places with an abundance of original art you can become overwhelmed. Not by the quantity alone but the quality, the history, the connection to the makers of the art objects - the feeling that this is something original and genuine. There is nothing between you and the real thing. I could imagine that a live concert with some famous artist might have the same effect.
On the Internet, however, everything you see is a reproduced by a device. The whole concept of an original is vague. What and where the original web page design? This does not imply that digital design or art is of less value than objects that exist in the material world. Originality is not tied to the physical uniqueness of a work but it is in the uniqueness of the experience.
Is Stendhal syndrome possible online? I haven't heard of any cases, but a visit to Vimeo or other sites that burst with creativity might trigger it.
Art Gallery of New South Wales. Photo: State Records NSW
