M2 – Flatness vs Projection
The Flower - Felix Tandem
This module applies Art Critic Clement Greenberg’s concept of flatness in Abstract Expressionist painting to polariod landscape graphics in order to challenge the methods of spatial representation. The cognitive process of perceiving spatial dimensions on the digital screen is employed as a means to create its opposite: a quantifiable and navigable three-dimensional realm.
This polaroid was taken in the Royal Botanic Gardens. The depicted image is a close-up polaroid featuring an unexpected deviation. The primary focal point appears inaccessible, obscured and unclear due to a layer of pointed, verdant projections. The midground is predominantly occupied by finger-like shapes, characterised by their soft green edges that create a striking contrast against the stark white background. which is evident in the blurred beauty of the background (the flower). The photographer’s sharp focus on the foreground (the green shapes) suggests that they have captured the act of reproduction, which is evident in the blurred beauty of the background (the flower).
Comparing 2D and 3D images: in 2D, depth is implied through overlapping shapes and variations in size, while 3D offers true volumetric forms, enhancing realism through lighting and shadows. While 2D images rely on artistic techniques like shading, 3D images achieve realism through simulated lighting and textures, providing a more immersive experience. The use of triangles in Renaissance art also offers an intriguing perspective.
References
Melbourne School of Design. (2020). Bachelor of Design Studios and Subjects: FODR. Retrieved June 2, 2024, from https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/msdx/archive/2020_s2/bachelor-of-design-studios-and-subjects/fodr
Kandinsky, Wassily, and Hilla Rebay. Point and line to plane. Courier Corporation, 1979. Wölfflin, Heinrich. Principles of art history. Courier Corporation, 2012.