Cultural Illusion: Consumer Imagery and the Construction of An Artificial Dream

Abstract

As TV networks continue to feed viewers a steady diet of constructed visual narratives in home-renovation reality TV shows, the 'reality' of their motivations is itself questionable. The image of these shows is often influenced by the large sponsorship deals that are needed to afford the associated renovation and building costs. How does this barrage of idealistic and branded representations affect Australian audiences' notion of our treasured 'Australian Dream' and for how long can we conceal the cracks in the attainability of this fa硤e? This article aims to provoke discussion on the consumption of images in contemporary Western society and their capacity to influence the social and cultural perceptions that shape notions of the Australian Dream, referring, in particular, to the longstanding Australian production The Block.