Virtual Metamorphosis

29 W e all want to change our appearance in some way. For example, makeup helps enhance appearance, although it primarily relates to the face. Many people try to change their moods by changing their accessories, clothes, and hairstyles. Some people even resort to plastic surgery to make permanent changes. We often observe behaviors that stem from a more radical desire for metamorphosis. For example, amusement parks and sightseeing areas sometimes have standing character boards of monsters or animation characters with their face areas cut out. Children and adults alike enjoy putting their faces into the cutouts and having their photographs taken (Figure 1). People simply enjoy changing their forms. People aren’t satisfied with just static metamorphosis, however. Children often pretend to act as their favorite movie heroes, monsters, and animation characters. A child’s desire for dynamic metamorphosis apparently persists into adulthood. For example, MGM Studios in Santa Monica, California, provides an attraction that lets participants (mostly adults) appear in the scenes of popular TV shows. This experience excites the participants, and the audience also enjoys watching.