Antiperspective: Readings

Course Description

Summary

“One could even compare the function of Renaissance perspective with that of critical philosophy… The result was a translation of psychophysiological space into mathematical space; in other words, an objectification of the subjective.”

— Erwin Panofsky, Perspective as Symbolic Form

In this course, we will discuss and read about how an image might represent a codified or systematic way of thinking. We will study the differences between one-point perspective, parallel projection, non-perspectival representation, and the problem of depth in these representational modes. Massimo Scolari’s book (after which the course is titled) will be used as a reader, and we will consider Anne Anlin Cheng’s proposition that “We do not master by seeing; we are ourselves altered when we look.”

Students will take a midterm, lead a group discussion on a relevant topic of their choice, and create a final project. This course is a prerequisite for students who plan on taking the advanced Antiperspective drawing course in the Spring, but all students (regardless of future plans) are welcome.