Visual Culture - Report Example

Essay Name Date Course Question 1: Visual culture The notion of ideal form that was put in place by Plato cam be used for the purposes of describing the concepts of visual culture. According to Plato the ideal forms are separate from the world of perceived reality (Selden, 2014). This means that what people see may not be the reality. The reality that is evident to the eye is a corrupted version of the ideal form. This is attributed to poor copies or mere shadows of the ideals. This is useful in terms of providing an explanation of what visual culture is and what it is not. The reality of the perceived world is important when dealing with the ideal forms. The essence of reality can only be perceived when there is an understanding of the perceived world. It is also important to note that the philosophy that was being used by Plato is mainly the philosophy of transcendence. According to the concepts of ideal form that has been put forward by Plato, the mind and the body are not the same or do not belong to the same form. The mind belongs to the ideal world while the body belongs to the real world. This can be attributed to the fact that the mind is able to reason and come up with different thoughts. It is also important to note that the mind is not physical and hence giving it an ideal form. The body on the other hand relies on the physical senses and making it easy to be corrupted. Plato also emphasizes on the importance of the imaginations as some of the imaginations are closer to the ideal forms. Some of the imaginations that are closer to the ideal forms include some forms of mathematics, art, poetry and music. This is considering the complexity that may be involved in the process of coming up with some of the mathematical or artistic concepts. The high levels of thinking therefore make mathematics or some forms of art an ideal form. According to Plato, the perfect form can only be realized through philosophy. Good, true and beautiful art some of the perfect forms that can be realized through the philosophies. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the transcendent philosophy of Plato was later used as the basis of Judeo-Christian philosophy. According to the tradition, the world is full of corruption and one has to seek salvation through an ideal context (Mulgan, 2012). Plato considered art as an ideal form which must be controlled due to its ability to stir emotions. This is considering that art has been used for a long period of time for the purposes of expressing the thoughts of individuals. However, Plato did not consider painting as ideal forms despite being a form of art. This is because he believed it had been corrupted through copying. The ideal form may therefore be different from what is real and hence its ability to cause some differences and difficulties in terms of understanding. Question 2: Different types of signs The three different types of signs include the symbolic, iconic and indexical. The indexical sign mainly denotes an object by virtue of actual connection that involves them. An icon is also used for the purposes of creating resemblance between different objects. An example of an icon is a portrait or a diagram. A portrait resembles and individual and hence making it an icon. On the other hand, the shadow of an object can also be considered as an icon since it has some resemblance with the real object. In terms of the systems of representation, an icon is used for geometric representation of an object. However, it is also important to note that algebraic expressions can be considered as icons. This is considering that it is as a result of mathematical transformations. An icon is therefore important in terms of art during the representation of objects (Leeds-Hurwitz, 2012). The symbolic signs denote an object mainly by the virtue that it will be interpreted to do so. The symbol consists of various elements which includes the logical rule, norm or habit. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the symbolic signs have some resemblance with the real object being represented. The iconic and symbolic signs in most cases overlap in the visual objects. A systematic set of interpretations play an important role in terms of the interpretation of a symbol. Replica is the term that is used for the purposes of describing the actual individual symbol. The qualities of a replica may not be necessarily be prescribed to the symbol. Proposition is one of the examples of a symbol where the qualities of its replica is not represented. This is irrespective of the language and any other form of representation. Some of the words that represent quality may also be symbolic. A replica of a symbol may also be based on the shared meaning of words which may mean the same thing (Petrilli, 2015). Symbols are thus useful in terms of representing different aspects. The indexical sign denotes objects by virtue of an actual connection involving them. A pure index compels attention without conveying any information about the object. An index can also be reagent which involves casually connecting an image to an object. An example of reagent index involves smoke coming out of a building. An index may not be actual individual fact but may be general. The degenerated index on the other hand involves the non-individual objects. The signs are therefore important in terms of sending particular messages to the individuals. The interpretation of the message is dependent on the type of sign. A label on a diagram is important in terms of ensuring that adequate information about the diagram is available. This is an important concept of indexical sign that is widely used. A book is also considered as a sign since it plays an essential role in terms of highlighting different forms of information. The signs are also used for the purposes of influencing its contexts. Question 3: Construction of meaning through colour and words Colour is one of the dominant symbolic aspects of representation that is used for the purposes of constructing meanings. Linking the colour to the real world is an important way of constructing meanings in relation to the different colours. Different colours may affect the moods of different people. The impacts that the colour has on the emotions can be used during the process of constructing a meaning. In the mental hospitals, colours are widely used for the purposes of creating meanings. The pastel tones are usually used on the walls of the mental health units for the purposes of ensuring that the patients are calm and relaxed. According to the colour theory, different colours communicate invisibly to the audience (Viethen, et al, 2012). This means that different colours have different meanings which important in abstract art. The colours also have cultural significance and hence its use for different cultural functions. The cultural significance of different colours is manly for the purposes of communication through the creation of meanings. Political associations have also been linked to different colours making it useful during the process of communicating with the voters. Certain colours are also use for the purposes of representing certain religions. The use of colours is therefore important for the purposes of communication. It is due to this reason that artists use different colours for the purposes of making different artistic representations. The use of colour for the purposes of creating meanings is therefore a complex subject that has attracted a lot of attention and opinions. The use of words is also important in terms of the creation of meanings just like the use of colors. The writing of words is also considered as an instrument of authority which can be used for the communication purposes. The contexts that the words occur are important for the purpose of creating the meaning of the words. The words are usually used for the purposes of creating statements that are useful in terms of creating meanings relevant to a certain society. However, it is also important to note that not all the words can be used for the purposes of creating a meaning. A sentence that is incorrect may not have any meaning. This is also the same for a grammatically correct sentence. Creating meaning is therefore important when it comes to the use of words. The correct words have to be used for the purposes of establishing a meaning. The statements must also comply with the rule of meanings for it to make sense and creating a meaning (Cohen, 2013). Any distortions or deliberate interruptions may impact negatively on the creation of meaning with regards to different statements. It is also important to note that different tools are usually used for the purposes of communication through the use of words. The combination of textual signs and visuals is also important in terms of creating meanings when it comes to different words. Question 4: Development of Perspective The development of perspective is one of the most important breakthroughs in the field of representation. The symbolic representation has also been enhanced through the development of the perspective. The symbolic representation is increasingly being used as compared to the iconic representation that was used in the past. The development of perspective can be traced back to the 15th century. This was after an attempt to reduce the size of the distant elements in the old French translation of William of Tyre (Gagnon, et al, 2012). The attempt was however not successful after the difficulties in terms of the geometry were encountered. Another attempt was made with the painting of Old St. Paul’s Cathedral. However, this attempt also failed due to the geometric errors. Other accounts indicate that the attempt to create illusions played an important role in terms of the development of perspective. Thus was first carried out around fifth century BC by the ancient Greeks. This is highlighted in the detailed account of poems developed by Aristotle. The discovery of a mathematical model also enhanced the process of developing a perspective. However, it is also important to note that the mathematical model at the time is not similar to the model that is being currently used. The desire to create an illusion which could illustrate distance object impacted positively on the creation of a perspective. The use of realism concepts also contributed to the innovations as the artists were interested in developing paintings that are realistic. The concepts of equal distance were then discovered and this gave rise to the use of perspective. However, it is also important to note that the use of perspective experienced some decline during the late antique period. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the medieval artists who were based in Europe as well as other parts like China and the Islamic world were aware of the principles of varying relative size of elements. This is in accordance with their distances which plays an important role in terms of creating an illusion. On the other hand, it is also important to note that the use of reverse perspective was also applied before the perspective concept was fully applied. There was an increase in the use of sophistication in the process of conveying distance. However, the concepts of systematic theory were not being applied at the time. One of the successful attempts in the use and development of perspective was carried out by a famous artist known as Giotto (Gagnon, et al, 2012). This was carried out on an artistic work representing Jesus before Caiaphas. The algebraic methods were used for the purposes of developing the artistic work. This later gave rise to the use of geometry for the purposes of developing a perspective. Currently, the concept of perspective is being used by artists and a lot of improvements have been made. The use of technology has also played an important role in terms of enhancing the process which has greatly improved the artistic works. List of References Selden, R, 2014, The Theory of Criticsm: From Plato to the Present: A Reader, Routledge, London. Mulgan, R, 2012, 2. Aristotle on Legality and Corruption, CORRUPTION, 25. Leeds-Hurwitz, W, 2012, Semiotics and communication: Signs, codes, cultures, Routledge, London. Petrilli, S, 2015, Victoria Welby and the Science of Signs: Significs, Semiotics, Philosophy of Language, Transaction Publishers. Viethen, J, et al, 2012, The impact of colour difference and colour codability on reference production, In Proceedings of the 34th annual meeting of the Cognitive Science Society (CogSci 2012). Cohen, A, P, 2013, Symbolic construction of community, Routledge, London. Gagnon, H, et al, 2012, Targeted mass spectrometry imaging: Specific targeting mass spectrometry imaging technologies from history to perspective, Progress in histochemistry and cytochemistry, 47(3), 133-174. Read More

Question 2: Different types of signs The three different types of signs include the symbolic, iconic and indexical. The indexical sign mainly denotes an object by virtue of actual connection that involves them. An icon is also used for the purposes of creating resemblance between different objects. An example of an icon is a portrait or a diagram. A portrait resembles and individual and hence making it an icon. On the other hand, the shadow of an object can also be considered as an icon since it has some resemblance with the real object.

In terms of the systems of representation, an icon is used for geometric representation of an object. However, it is also important to note that algebraic expressions can be considered as icons. This is considering that it is as a result of mathematical transformations. An icon is therefore important in terms of art during the representation of objects (Leeds-Hurwitz, 2012). The symbolic signs denote an object mainly by the virtue that it will be interpreted to do so. The symbol consists of various elements which includes the logical rule, norm or habit.

On the other hand, it is also important to note that the symbolic signs have some resemblance with the real object being represented. The iconic and symbolic signs in most cases overlap in the visual objects. A systematic set of interpretations play an important role in terms of the interpretation of a symbol. Replica is the term that is used for the purposes of describing the actual individual symbol. The qualities of a replica may not be necessarily be prescribed to the symbol. Proposition is one of the examples of a symbol where the qualities of its replica is not represented.

This is irrespective of the language and any other form of representation. Some of the words that represent quality may also be symbolic. A replica of a symbol may also be based on the shared meaning of words which may mean the same thing (Petrilli, 2015). Symbols are thus useful in terms of representing different aspects. The indexical sign denotes objects by virtue of an actual connection involving them. A pure index compels attention without conveying any information about the object.

An index can also be reagent which involves casually connecting an image to an object. An example of reagent index involves smoke coming out of a building. An index may not be actual individual fact but may be general. The degenerated index on the other hand involves the non-individual objects. The signs are therefore important in terms of sending particular messages to the individuals. The interpretation of the message is dependent on the type of sign. A label on a diagram is important in terms of ensuring that adequate information about the diagram is available.

This is an important concept of indexical sign that is widely used. A book is also considered as a sign since it plays an essential role in terms of highlighting different forms of information. The signs are also used for the purposes of influencing its contexts. Question 3: Construction of meaning through colour and words Colour is one of the dominant symbolic aspects of representation that is used for the purposes of constructing meanings. Linking the colour to the real world is an important way of constructing meanings in relation to the different colours.

Different colours may affect the moods of different people. The impacts that the colour has on the emotions can be used during the process of constructing a meaning. In the mental hospitals, colours are widely used for the purposes of creating meanings. The pastel tones are usually used on the walls of the mental health units for the purposes of ensuring that the patients are calm and relaxed. According to the colour theory, different colours communicate invisibly to the audience (Viethen, et al, 2012).

This means that different colours have different meanings which important in abstract art. The colours also have cultural significance and hence its use for different cultural functions.

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