European Painting Tradition and Perception
Introduction
- The lecture aims to question assumptions about European painting tradition.
- European painting tradition: Born ~1400, died ~1900.
- Focuses on how we see paintings differently in the modern era.
Perception and Perspective
- Seeing is influenced by habit and convention.
- Perspective in European Art
- Centers everything on the beholder's eye.
- Eye as the center of the visible world, but limited to one place at a time.
Impact of the Camera
- Invention of the camera changed perception:
- Allows seeing things not physically present.
- Disrupts the single-center perspective.
- Quote from Ziga Vertov's Manifesto (1923) highlights the camera's role in altering perception.
Reproduction of Art
- Paintings were unique to their location (e.g., altarpieces in churches).
- Camera allows paintings to be seen anywhere, altering context and meaning.
- Example: Botticelli’s "Venus and Mars" now viewable in many contexts.
Authenticity and Market Value
- Original paintings are valued for their authenticity and market worth.
- Example: Leonardo’s "Virgin of the Rocks" has high market value, and its authenticity is debated.
Reproduction's Influence on Art's Meaning
- Reproduction changes a painting's meaning:
- Becomes transmittable like news.
- Paintings as information or messages.
- Original meaning is altered by accessibility and context.
Silent and Still Nature of Paintings
- Paintings are silent and still, creating a unique experience.
- Manipulation by Reproduction
- Movement and sound change meaning, e.g., camera focusing on details, music overlay.
- Example: Bruegel's "The Road to Calvary" can be reinterpreted based on details shown.
Contextual Influence on Meaning
- Paintings' meanings change based on the surrounding context and narrative.
- Goya's paintings used as an example of how context alters perception.
Art as Information
- Reproduction allows art to be used like language; images can convey ideas.
- Challenges the mysticization of art by experts, promotes direct experience and interpretation.
Children’s Perception of Art
- Children interpret images directly, relating to their own experience.
- Example: Children’s interpretation of Caravaggio's work highlights this direct engagement.
Conclusion
- Future programs will explore how art relates to modern experiences, like advertisements.
- Emphasizes the importance of skepticism towards curated media content.
Note: This summary captures the main ideas and will be useful for understanding the shifts in perception of art due to technological advances like the camera, the impact of reproduction, and how these changes challenge traditional views on art.