E. H. Gombrich, in his book Art and Illusion: A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation, starts with a discussion about the representation of nature over the course of art history, including this statement:
"We see aspects of reality represented on the television screen and in the movies, on postage stamps and on food packages...I think that the victory and vulgarization of representational skills create a problem for both the historian and the critic."
Food for thought for the artist.
When we consider that technology can produce visual images that not only depict, but in the case of 3-dimensional technology, can recreate a visual kinesthetic experience so real as to be able to nearly duplicate reality, then the artist must consider ways in which his or her art can move beyond pure representation.
How much information is necessary before there is a perception of form and substance?
How can we articulate form through unexpectedly beautiful color and abstraction?
Even with a hyper-photorealism approach, where is the hidden magic of the artist's hand?
If art is an illusion, then the artist must be aware of the need for magic in what is produced. Pure representation of what is seen, perceived, or imagined is not enough.
If you are interested in this subject, check out these books at your local library:
Art and Illusion: A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation, by E. H. Gombrich, from the A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts, 1956
Art and Visual Perception: A Psychology of the Creative Eye, by Rudolf Arnheim
As always, I appreciate your contributions to this blog, and please forward it to anyone you know who might find it informative.
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Need a nudge?
Book - Ancient Wisdom Emerging Artist: the business plan (not just) for the mature artist
Kindle US Store - Ancient Wisdom Emerging Artist: the business plan (not just) for the mature artist
another good book by Gombrich is The Depiction of Cast Shadows in Western Art
- fascinating and with great images, including photos by the likes of Cartier Bresson.
Posted by: vivien | January 23, 2012 at 02:49 PM