From Maulbertsch to MMORPGs. On Digital Cross-Media Entertainment

A person familiar with the Star Wars trilogy and currently hooked to the remake of „Battleship Galactica“ may feel curiously attracted and at the same time puzzled when entering one of the grandiose baroque interiors, many of which can be found in Bavaria, Austria and Hungary, whose ceilings are decorated with elaborate celestial landscapes. The sheer exuberance of the visual display of imaginary cosmic interaction has no match in contemporary architecture, but it may well be regarded as akin to recent science fiction scenarios, not to mention the facts of real life digital warfare. As far as iconographic conventions are concerned, Jupiter and Superman are reasonably close relatives. Yet, on the other hand, centuries divide those exquisite showcases of church and nobility from pop culture.