Intermediality of Hunger, Intermediality of Effect: Two Commercial Models Developed in Early Twentieth Century New York City

Abstract

Looking at early twentieth-century commercial entertainments where different media shared the same space, this essay defines two forms-or rather two aspects-of commercial intermediality as they were developed in early twentieth century New York City. The thriving mixed media scene in the city's Jewish immigrant neighborhood, the Lower East Side, developed what I call an intermediality of hunger, which often (but not only) emerges on the cultural periphery and refers to a market-driven media voraciousness, where the incorporation of additional media increases the range of appeals, thus diversifying a potential audience. A little bit later, Times Square developed what I call an intermediality of effect, which is more often located at the cultural center, seeks to orchestrate a more coherent and unified media and sense experience but remains indebted to the intermediality of hunger.