Neuroesthetics Talk Series: The question of scale. A neglected aspect of images: just how big is too big
Speaker Ruggero Pierantoni (Genoa)
Date 15 July 2009, 18:30
Location
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Berlin School of Mind and Brain
Luisenstraße 56, Haus 1, North Wing, 2nd Floor, FESTSAAL
10117 Berlin
Contact Annette Winkelmann
Organized by Berlin School of Mind and Brain
This talk is part of a series of public events organised by the the Association of Neuroesthetics, in collaboration with the School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt-Universität, and the Institut für Raumexperimente led by Olafur Eliasson.
Abstract
The challenge of measuring a physical representation such as an image
or an artefact presents many interesting dilemmas, both practical and
theoretical. What measures are possible and which make most sense?
Within the scope of possible methods, a “scientific” approach takes
into consideration the visibility of the artefact: size relative to
observer, perception of the detailing, the role of visual acuity,
illumination levels, object reflectance and other physical factors.
Another approach looks at limiting factors during creation of the
artefact: working time, availability of material and manpower,
allocation of space, economic cost, and social and political
background.
Applying both approaches to the large variation in dimensions of
representation – from the miniature to the massive frescoes, from the
minuscule statuette to the colossi, from the sub-millimetric intricacy
of the illustrations of the Book of Kells to the American Flag on Wall
Street – shows that the question of scale is a complex cascade of
technological, financial and theocratic-ideological pressures on the
one hand, and of our perceptual capacities on the other.
Ruggero Pierantoni lives and works in Genoa, Italy. Upon completing
his doctorate in Biophysics at the Institute of Theoretical Physics,
University of Genoa, he moved on to work at Florida State University
Department of Electron Microscopy, Tallahassee, Florida; Max Planck
Institut für Biologische Kybernetik, Tübingen; California Institute of
Technology, CALTECH and Calgary Medical School. His main research
interests have included ultrastructure of synapses in the visual
system, white noise technology in electrophysiology, interface between
computer and electron microscope, transmission and scanning. Beginning
in 1980, Pierantoni expanded into visual and acoustic perception,
theory of representation as well as drawing of the blind. During this
time he taught Sensation and Perception at the University of Toronto,
Scarborough College in addition to History of Gardens and Renaissance
and Baroque Illustration of Scientific Books, among others.
In 1990, on invitation of Prof. Joseph Rykwert, Pierantoni taught at
the School of Architecture, University of Pennsylvania. Additional
visiting professor placements have included the Centre for Theory and
Criticism, University of Western Ontario; VIRGINIATECH in Washington
D.C.; University of Toronto, Department of Italian Studies; and
Dizraeli School of Architecture and Urbanism, Carleton University,
Ottawa. Pierantoni is author of nine books on visual perception,
history of vision, history of architecture, scientific iconology, and
architectural acoustics, and has published over 100 scientific papers
in international technical and scientific journals.
Association of Neuroesthetics
The sciences, the humanities and the arts approach the natural world and our experience of it from different perspectives. Although traditionally considered separate disciplines, the desire for more holistic understandings has intensified the exchange between them. “Neuroesthetics” is one such node of interdisciplinary exchange, bridging various approaches to questions of art and human experience. From one side, rapid development in the neurosciences have produced an extensive database of insight that can further our understanding of both artistic appreciation and the processes of creativity. From the other, artists and those in the humanities continually engage with questions of experience, value and knowledge and their expertise is becoming increasingly relevant to scientific explorations aiming to understand these vital human characteristics. The European non-profit Association of Neuroesthetics, which is based in Berlin, has been founded to promote this exciting dialogue and lasting cooperation between the arts and the sciences.