Lesson 4 - Lecture

An example of simplification abstraction

This lecture focused on Impressionism. As simple of a concept Impressionism is, it also confused many people in regards to how they perceived art for the first time. Impressions is the basic information to communicate an idea. One way to communicate this idea is through simplification abstraction. What was interesting about this is it is exactly what the term itself says, simple. An example of a simplified abstract is stick figures, which is something you never would consider art because it is done by the hands of a five year old and of those who are trying to simply express an idea who have no artistic ability. But once explained, it made perfect sense. Because simplification abstraction means to turn down the detail, and turn up the creativity and individualism. The term also links to the confusion of those experiencing Impressionism for the first time. As Professor Peck states in the video, Impression is a scale with one end completely recognizable and accurate and the other end unrecognizable and non-distinguishable. Which poses the interesting question, is light and shadow just enough?


Impressionism is interesting to me because of its quickness. You see so many impressionistic paintings of the outside, whether it's a front door, a wall with ivy, a flower, a sunset, or even people sitting outside. But rather than spending months and even years on the painting, you have to grab it on the spot before the natural light you are using goes away. Which is why the painter doesn't focus so much on the detail of what they are creating. As long as the art viewer knows what's being shown, it doesn't matter what kind of detail they used. What matters is how the viewer perceives it. There are multiple paintings of the same thing, each one different than the other because it is the portrayal of the painters impression of the landscape or object. It's what they see while painting because it is part of their reality. It's their own documentation of the exaggerated truth.

Now going back to the question, is light and shadow just enough, here's why it helps me explain why I liked this video so much. Professor Peck spends the entire day outside and we see how the camera catches the shot of him walking and talking as the light and shadows are changing. From noon to sunset, you see how light affects the way you watch the video because even though at some points light isn't cast on Peck, it can be cast on the building behind him. So for me light and shadow are enough, because it's all about perspective, and this video is an accurate portrayal of how Impressionism is your own exaggerated reality.