The Visual Components & Contrast and Affinity:
This reading was very informative. I like how the author broke down the basic visual components of a picture and their relationship with moods, emotions, ideas, and visual structure. I was already aware of these components, but the reading helped further my understanding of their roles in both film and photography. I also found the section on visual stereotypes and progression fascinating. These are techniques that I have found easy to overlook since pictures and films are such a major part of my life. I would be interested in talking more about these concepts in class. One question I have after reading this is: How can we structure contrast and affinity to these visual components to convey a sense of balance? I want to develop a greater understanding of these terms so I can apply them successfully to my work.
The Process of Sight:
I found this reading to be extremely conceptual and philosophical. Cézanne's ideas on sight and interpretation of reality were years ahead of his time. He was truly a renaissance man. "Our impressions require interpretation; to look is to create what you see. Reality is not out there waiting to be witnessed; reality is made by the mind. I also found it fascinating how the reading ties Cézanne's discovery of postimpressionism with the invention of the photograph. In many ways I think photography forced many artists to reevaluate the intent of their work and their original visions. I think this is extremely relevant because we live in a society where technology is so dominant. The issues of man vs. machine are not new, and this article is a clear indicator of that. I think one reason Cézanne's work is so influential is that it provided a cross roads betweens the worlds of art, science, psychology, and philosophy. I would love to learn more on Cézanne's concept of nonfinito. "He knew that his paintings were only literally blank. Their incompleteness was really a metaphor for the process of sight." I think there is a never ending argument about the benefits of painting vs photography and I would love to discuss more about this in class.
