back to ART
Expression of Depth
| Expression of depth (Durer hand) Expression of depth means applying of meaning to gain insight, thus involving emotional as well as intellectual aspects. To gain depth of expression can be achieved e.g. by substituting defined elements by a representative symbol or icon of their class.
If the purpose of a painting is e.g. to present a person together with her or his life-achievements, one might put this person in the center of the work of art and locate the relevant events outside around. |
| Center of view and center of attention being identical
establishes a well conceived focus, the events outside round presenting as
properly positioned.
To achieve a more spiritual presentation, it may be preferable to present but the face of the person, and paint the events grouped in the periphery in a simple, direct and self-explaining manner. If more depth is envisaged, one might replace the face by the hand in a pose expressing the spiritual attitude of the person, and integrate the content of the life-events into the expression of the hands and fingers.
|
||
| Limiting reality to a single event reduces the external
load of information, thus creating within the mind increased capacity
for internal associations
Personal insight and familiarity with the culture are crucial for the successful presentation of depth, conditions eventual requesting years to build up. The transition from a mainly reality based to a more spiritual way of expression eliminates irrelevant information which in turn facilitates perception. |
|
Whereas "to achieve depth" is eventually intellectually very challenging, the difficulties to walk this path should not find expression in the work of art itself. Personal insight and familiarity with the culture are crucial for the successful presentation of depth.
back to ART |