2d Visual Perception

The relationship between image and viewer has fundamentally changed with the invention of photography and the advent of moving images (film). In our time, the temporal dimension of image perception has been further intensified, with the sequence of moving images being accelerated through extremely short cuts to such an extent that it becomes impossible for the viewer to differentiate them from one another. Under these conditions, the viewer loses all autonomy vis-à-vis the images, is passively at their mercy, and is manipulated by them—unless they resist them. Using over 200 images, this book describes elementary phenomena of visual perception—phenomena encountered daily, yet rarely truly registered. Short accompanying texts encourage the viewer to engage with the images and thus experience the phenomena consciously. The book provides a comprehensive, clearly structured overview; the examples shown range from two-dimensional form and color phenomena to the emergence of spatial perception and the influence of emotion and logic on perception. The book tempts you to experiment with the phenomena presented yourself.

Award: «The most beautiful Swiss books» 1994