Perception
Perception:
effect of perceiving, of understanding the meaning of something through the senses.
The act of observing what surrounds us occurs every day automatically and immediately, regardless of the spaces we are inserted; whether in a museum, indoors or walking through the city streets. From these observations, it is possible to assign meanings to certain situations and circumstances.
Based on this idea, what are the advantages of questioning our own processes of looking at artistic works?
The theme of the time is perception, contextualized within the mechanisms of the look. The exercise of observing a work of art can happen in countless ways, generating different results on the work itself and also on the observer.
Our ability to assign meaning to artistic works can develop more profoundly when we are attentive to our own observation processes. What's the difference between assigning meanings versus genuine, organic understanding?
There are images that work as a means to give meaning to situations and scenarios, and others that offer an automatic understanding of what was not previously chewed for our consumption. In this case, what would be the role of the observer in producing meanings for works of art?
Our perceptions also interfere in the production of our memories, merging imagery information and creating new languages and meanings. Therefore, our imaginary fields are constantly changing. Is it possible to cultivate our own gazing mechanism to become deeper and more meaningful?
Over the next few weeks, we will propose eye exercises, investigate our relationship with the way we see works of art, and illustrate the theme by bringing works by artists who dialogue with these questions.
Image: Marco Tirelli