VISUAL MESSAGES DIGITAL ARTS AL LARSEN
VISUAL MESSAGES We express and receive visual messages on three levels: Abstractly Representationally Symbolically
ABSTRACTION Abstract art is generally understood to mean art that does not depict objects in the natural world, but instead uses shapes and colours in a non- representational or subjective way. 2
ABSTRACTION In its wider definition the term describes art that depicts real forms in a simplified or rather reduced way - keeping only an allusion of the original natural subject. 2
ABSTRACTION
REPRESENTATION Representation: what we see and recognize from environment and experience 1
REPRESENTATION Steven Nereo photo
REPRESENTATION Steven Nereo photo
SYMBOL A symbol is an arbitrary sign that has acquired a conventional significance 3
SYMBOL (1)
SYMBOL (2)
DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING IMAGES IN TERMS OF… ABSTRACTION REPRESENTATION SYMBOL
In-Class Lab 1 Use Photoshop Divide an image into even strips Horizontal or vertical Rearrange the order example: 1 -> 7; 2 -> 6; 3 -> 5; 4 -> 4; 5 -> 3 etc.
In-Class Lab 1
Find a representational photo on the web Should be at least 500 x 500 pixels Save Image to Desktop (ctrl-click for menu for users with single- button mouse) Open Photoshop File->Open then choose image from desktop Make sure Layers window is visible Make 7 new layers (Layer-> New) Highlight Background layer Choose Rectangular Marquee Tool from toolbar Select slice of background image and cut (Edit->Cut or apple-X) Highlight first layer in Layers window. Paste into layer (Edit->paste or apple-V) (Repeat x 6)
In-Class Lab 2
Find a representational photo on the web Choose a photo which you feel exhibits good composition Should be at least 400 x 400 pixels Open in Photoshop, scale it down so that the largest side is 400 pixels (Image -> Image Size)
In -Class Lab 2 Make a new Photoshop document which is as tall as your image and twice as wide Paste image in and locate it on the right half of the canvas Create a new layer and paste same image in the left half Use adjustment layers and filters only to create an abstract composition in the left half.
VISUAL MESSAGES (end)