I really enjoyed Duane Michal’s pieces, as well as all of the other work, that the author provided. In general, though, I think that I enjoy the reduced opacity form of photomontage a lot more than a more “cut and paste” format. It adds a layer of mystery to a piece, almost as if the image illustrates for us a story, each layer adding on a different segment of time, and each of these time segments mesh together as to create the mood for the story that is illustrated.
Also, as, the author noted, the lower opacity effect makes it so that viewing a certain piece of work becomes subjective; each person that views a given piece decides for one’s self what the meaning behind the provided images is. This only makes reduced opacity photomontages all the more interesting as each person that views a certain piece will likely interpret the piece in a completely unique manner, providing ample opportunity or discussion and/or argument amongst viewers.
I find this aspect of reduced this type of art work especially fascinating, as in an anthropology course I am currently taking we have been discussing the concept of paradigms amongst human perception. Within the context of the course paradigms are describes as a sort of pair of glasses that each person has, each with their own unique prescription. So the way in which one person may perceive an image or event will not always be perceived similarly by another. I think all of the pieces in which the author provided demonstrated this very well.
The image that I selected (by Dung Hoang) I really like because while it gives of a sort of dark mood, I find it to be quite beautiful at the same time. All of the literature and mathematics flying around the image seem to be spiraling into the galaxy in which one person’s hand grasps; perhaps the meaning behind it all is that this hands holds all knowledge and wisdom. That is what I see at least. What about you? What do you see through your paradigm, through your pair of glasses?
Also, as, the author noted, the lower opacity effect makes it so that viewing a certain piece of work becomes subjective; each person that views a given piece decides for one’s self what the meaning behind the provided images is. This only makes reduced opacity photomontages all the more interesting as each person that views a certain piece will likely interpret the piece in a completely unique manner, providing ample opportunity or discussion and/or argument amongst viewers.
I find this aspect of reduced this type of art work especially fascinating, as in an anthropology course I am currently taking we have been discussing the concept of paradigms amongst human perception. Within the context of the course paradigms are describes as a sort of pair of glasses that each person has, each with their own unique prescription. So the way in which one person may perceive an image or event will not always be perceived similarly by another. I think all of the pieces in which the author provided demonstrated this very well.
The image that I selected (by Dung Hoang) I really like because while it gives of a sort of dark mood, I find it to be quite beautiful at the same time. All of the literature and mathematics flying around the image seem to be spiraling into the galaxy in which one person’s hand grasps; perhaps the meaning behind it all is that this hands holds all knowledge and wisdom. That is what I see at least. What about you? What do you see through your paradigm, through your pair of glasses?
I can see why you prefer the reduced opacity photomontages over the cut and paste ones. The reduced opacity ones definitely add more complexity to the piece and require the viewer to really think more. I also like your perception analogy to the glasses :) so true!
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