Realism and Perspective

I thought that this was the most interesting chapter that we have read so far. It really helped explain what we have been learning more detailed and I enjoyed the new points that it brought up about realism and perspective.
“Realism is an important aspect of our sense of ethics as citizens in a world in which images proliferate as forms of communications and expression.” (141) I feel this was an excellent way to start the chapter off. It is straight to the point and really helps you understand how realism and art mesh. It goes into detail how realism is linked to a varied set of conventions and approaches. Realism and abstraction are big elements in art. Some art include more elements of realism than others but nonetheless they are still there. I enjoy realism art more than other art. I like seeing things as the eye would see it and that is why I enjoy photography so much.
Perspective has something that has always confused me. “Perspective refers to a set of systems or mechanisms used to produce representations of objects in space as if seen by an observer through a window or frame.” (151) This section really put in perspective, “perspective”. The examples used such as the illustrations and diagrams helped me get a grasp on it. Perspective has changed over the years and we have slowly begun to get a better understanding of it.
The chapter goes over many elements of Realism and Perspective such as Visual codes and Historical Meaning, Perspective and the Body, The Camera Obscura and many other elements of it. By going through the topic with such detail it definitely forces you to gain a better understanding.