Reading the Image: Four Planes of Analysis PDF

# Reading the Image: Four Planes of Analysis ## GE 106 - Arts Appreciation ### Ian Paul H. Daug 21 November 2022 ## Two Interrelated Aspects In The Study of Art 1. Art has its specificity: that is, its particular language or vocabulary that has to do with the mediums, techniques, and visual el...

# Reading the Image: Four Planes of Analysis ## GE 106 - Arts Appreciation ### Ian Paul H. Daug 21 November 2022 ## Two Interrelated Aspects In The Study of Art 1. Art has its specificity: that is, its particular language or vocabulary that has to do with the mediums, techniques, and visual elements of art that constitute it as a distinct area of human knowledge and signifying practice. 2. It has its specificity, is at the same time historically situated and shaped by social, economic, and political forces. ## The Basic Semiotic Plane - Semiotics is the study of "signs". work of art is the iconic or pictorial sign. - Sign consists of: - "signifier" or its material/physical aspect - "signified" or non-material aspect as concept and value - The basic semiotic plane covers the elements and the general technical and physical aspects of the work with their semantic (meaning-conveying potential). It includes: - The visual elements and how they are used: line value, color, texture, shape, composition in space, movement. - The choice of medium and technique. In contemporary art, medium enters more and more into the meaning of the work. - The format of the work. In contemporary art, format is no longer purely conventional but becomes laden with meaning. - Other physical properties and marks of the work. Notations, traces, textural features, marks, whether random or intentional, are part of the significations of the work. ## The Iconic Plane or the Image Itself - This has to do with the particular features, aspects, and qualities of the image which are the signifiers. - The iconic plane includes the choice of the subject which may bear social and political implications. - The figurative style implies a particular re-presentation or interpretation of the world, a world view. - Classical figuration basically follows the proportion of 7 1/2 to 8 heads to the entire figure in its pursuit of ideal form, all imperfections concealed. - Realist figuration is based on the keen observation of people, nature, and society in the concern for truth of representation. - Impressionist figuration is fluid and informal, often catching the subject unawares like a candid camera. - Expressionist figuration follows emotional impulses and drives, thus often involving distortion that comes from strong emotion. ## The Contextual Plane - Proceeds from the basic semiotic and iconic planes and the knowledge and insights one has gained from these into the social and historical context of the work of art. - Resituating the work in its context will bring out the full meaning of the work in terms of its human and social implications. - A broad knowledge of history and the economic, political and cultural conditions, past and present, of a society is called upon in the contextual plane. - The work of art may contain references and allusions, direct or indirect, to historical figures and events, as well as to religious, literary, and philosophical ideas and values which are part of the meaning of the work. ## The Axiological or Evaluative Plane - The evaluation of a work necessarily includes the analysis and examination of its axiological content constituted by values which become fully articulated on the contextual plane although these had already been shaping on the basic semiotic and iconic planes. - The artist is not or should not be a mere technician but expresses a view of life in his or her work. - The viewer/critic is also not a mere technical expert confined to the analysis of the elements, techniques, and processes alone. As also the artist should, places a value on the capacity of art to influence and transform society. - The mature viewer or critic is one who must have, after long expression and experience, arrived at the formulation of his own value system, his or her view of the world and humanity which he or she has come to feel deeply and strongly about. # Let's try to Analyze the Painting using the Planes Of Analysis The painting, *Tampuhan*, meaning "sulking", is an 1895 classic oil on canvas impressionist painting by Filipino painter and revolutionary activist Juan Luna.