HSC Stuff > Area of Study (Old Syllabus)
Choosing the right related text!
jamonwindeyer:
--- Quote from: samuels1999 on January 30, 2017, 06:56:46 pm ---Hi Elyse,
When it comes to related text for discoevry I like to cover a broad range of themes that relate to discovery along with different forms.
However I have realised that finding a good painting or photograph that has an obvious representation of disocovery is a bit difficult. Nevertheless, I did manage to find this image by Rembrant called "Belshazzar's Feast".
I have attached it below. Could you have a look at it and tell me if it is a good painting to use...and if it isn't, do you have any that you recommend?
Thanks heaps,
Samuel
--- End quote ---
This is going to sound a little weird, but I think this is the best way. Let's see you prove to us that it is worthy of study! Do your absolute best to answer this question in a paragraph:
How does Rembrant's "Belshazzar's Feast" portray a viewpoint on Discovery?
Answering this question will force you to look for techniques, look for concepts, look for things to analyse. Give it a go! Elyse or I will let you know if we think you've got enough analytical depth there ;D
samuels1999:
I think I understand why you asked me to do that. I have been spending quite a long time staring at the image and trying to find representations and concepts of discovery. And to be honest apart from the physically obvious discovery of the writing on the wall along with the response it prompts from those viewing it, there isn't much to the image. I mean I can see how the composer creates such an effect with visual techniques such as lighting, vectors, salient point etc. But I feel it is a very shallow one dimensional representation. There is nothing more to it metaphorically or symbolically. It is just a moment in time in which the composer captures a response of shock and awe to a discovery.
So I think I'll look for some text that has more than one dimension of meaning.
I still remember from a previous answer you gave that you said you can use a text if you use it right. Now in the Section where Elyse suggests related texts, she recommends the following:
Picasso - Guernica
Rene Magritte - The Treachery of Images
The Savage State by Thomas Cole
Now I honestly cannot see how they portray or represent discovery...
This is probably because I have no real idea with regard to analysing visual texts and extracting deep meaning from them.
Could you please clarify this?
(Sorry for the long response. And for not writing out my paragraph (which was quite pathetic))
Thanks a whole lot,
Samuel
jamonwindeyer:
--- Quote from: samuels1999 on January 30, 2017, 11:05:59 pm ---I think I understand why you asked me to do that. I have been spending quite a long time staring at the image and trying to find representations and concepts of discovery. And to be honest apart from the physically obvious discovery of the writing on the wall along with the response it prompts from those viewing it, there isn't much to the image. I mean I can see how the composer creates such an effect with visual techniques such as lighting, vectors, salient point etc. But I feel it is a very shallow one dimensional representation. There is nothing more to it metaphorically or symbolically. It is just a moment in time in which the composer captures a response of shock and awe to a discovery.
So I think I'll look for some text that has more than one dimension of meaning.
I still remember from a previous answer you gave that you said you can use a text if you use it right. Now in the Section where Elyse suggests related texts, she recommends the following:
Picasso - Guernica
Rene Magritte - The Treachery of Images
The Savage State by Thomas Cole
Now I honestly cannot see how they portray or represent discovery...
This is probably because I have no real idea with regard to analysing visual texts and extracting deep meaning from them.
Could you please clarify this?
(Sorry for the long response. And for not writing out my paragraph (which was quite pathetic))
Thanks a whole lot,
Samuel
--- End quote ---
Ahaha it's totally okay. I almost don't expect a paragraph response when I ask that question. Most of the time when I ask it, something clicks, and you realise that you don't quite have enough (though in saying that, you explained yourself well, you could have done it if you tried I reckon) ;) you'll know you are on to something when you feel confident writing that paragraph ;D
Visual texts are tough. By nature, they will not portray as much conceptually as a poem or a novel or a film. Using them is a hard road - You are right, you need something special. Either that or you need to semi-cheat and use several related visual texts (EG - Multiple images from Humans of New York) to get the required conceptual breadth. Depth isn't usually the issue - Visual texts can portray a single concept extremely well. But portraying multiple concepts is near impossible.
Those visual texts are very interpretive, very abstract. There is no actual discovery taking place in the image, rather the use of techniques conveys aspects of discovery. For example, Guernica is an anti-war piece, but the composition of the piece and the bland colour palette conveys negative aspects of discovery. You need to work harder to make those connections yourself!
Keep working at it. Is there a reason you definitely want a visual text? If you are after conceptual breadth as you stated earlier, a visual text may not be the best choice to satisfy that purpose :)
samuels1999:
Oh Ok
Thanks, that really helped.
Just one more personal question....if there was one photo or painting that you would choose, what would it be?
Thanks,
Samuel
elysepopplewell:
--- Quote from: samuels1999 on January 31, 2017, 12:34:33 am ---Oh Ok
Thanks, that really helped.
Just one more personal question....if there was one photo or painting that you would choose, what would it be?
Thanks,
Samuel
--- End quote ---
It's hard to say, visual texts weren't what I gravitated towards. But, if I did, it would be this artwork here which is a Cold War piece. My knowledge of the Cold War as an influence on texts is pretty good because I studied it in Extension One, so it would be my pick!
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