Blog # 4

A picture is worth a thousand words and maybe even thousands. The word "Thousand" is metaphorical. It could be 50, 500, 2000 or more words. This phrase is used to connote what meaning, feeling or impact the subject matter imparts to the viewer.

However, we first must determine what visual interpretation and visual literacy entails. Visual literacy as defined by the International visual Literacy association is a group of vision competencies a human being can develop by seeing and at the same time having and integrating other sensory experiences. The development of these competencies is fundamental to normal human learning. When developed, they enable a visually literate person to discriminate and interpret the visual actions, objects, and/or symbols, natural or man-made that are encountered in the environment....."(Fransecky and Debes, 1972, p.7)" ( http://ldt.stanford.edu/~pagemc/masters/developing_history/teachers1.htm )

Therefore, we may surmise that visual interpretations depend on ones educational and cultural background. A visual picture stimulates a Psychological impression to our imagination, which helps us to make an individual opinion or interpretation. Also, visual information in the media is part of our cultural background.

For example, briefly, my description of the "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo Da Vinci would flow along the following thoughts. The subject's eyes are focused looking straight at the viewer. Her eyes suggest to me knowledge of the world in the past and all that the future world will be. Her mysterious smile with upturned lips on each side seems quizzical and curious. Her smile may be just an echo of a momentary mood or it may be a timeless symbolic expression akin to the archaic smiles represented in prior Greek art. I think she is portraying knowing something that we don't know. The background of rocks and water suggest to me elements of a generative force. A smaller lake is draining into a larger body of water. The rock formations seem somewhat unstable. I wonder if Da Vinci is trying to tell us a prediction of future events. Possibly a flood to come and maybe world's end.

For another example of visual interpretation I could look at "The persistence of memory" by Salvador Dali. In this composition I see forms being distorted in an unrealistic, bizarre, irrational manner. These soft melting watches in a dessert like setting seem to be derived from a paranoid dream-like state. This could relate to the passing of time that one experiences in a dream state. Time is not rigid and is irrelevant when dreaming. The watch on the right side is draped over a shape, possibly a man. Maybe a self portrait of the artist. The limp watches could refer to sexual impotency or the inability to function. The ants devouring the watch to the left may suggest destruction. All in all the optical illusions in this canvas lets one's imagination be free.

Both of the preceding examples exemplify an individual's view of a specific visual object. I am influenced by my past experiences, education, culture, media, etc. Everyone in our course (Hum101) would describe a different interpretation of these examples. It would be interesting to know how a person living in a Middle Eastern, Asian or African country might evaluate and relate their interpretation of these two examples.

Visual Literacy and interpretation also relates to everyday situation that we experience. For example, Lawyers present pictures as evidence in court on a regular basis in cases of accidents, rape and murder victims. They do this to gain the sympathy of the jury for the plaintiff. Billboards on the highway, magazine and newspaper advertisements and T.V. all use visual media to influence people and crate biases. Also, think of the many pictures of our current wars and past wars and other devastating natural events. From these portrayals thousands of words are written. These words relate to the moral, political, economic and even religious aspects of these topics. These words and pictures inspire man to take action in various ways, as well as to stimulate his feelings and imagination and general knowledge.


James Aanstoos defines visual literacy as "the ability to recognize and understand ideas conveyed through visible actions or images...or messages through imagery. Some authors consider visual literacy to be more of a metaphor...However, the field is credited with the development of educational programs that enhance students' abilities to interpret and crate visual messages,..."
( http://www.computer.org/portal/web/guest/home )

As individuals it is our responsibility to view, evaluate, interpret, learn, discriminate and form our own opinions and judgments just as we would evaluate any work of art. This is what visual and information literacy is all about. That is why a picture is really worth a "1,000" words.