11.12.20 Narrative or antinarrative?
This is a question that has been raised by Andrea and Ben in my tutorials recently, with regard to my videos sketches.
A narrative is a story, an antinarrative is a 'narrative which does not adhere to the usual conventions of narrative.' (Collins Dictionary, no date) It feels as if an antinarrative might suit my work better than an obvious linear narrative. It also interests me how various devices can be used to create an antinarrative for a video, for example:
- Title:
- Unexpected setting:
- Contrast:
- Colour:
Shaw discusses antinarrative in depth with respect to a painting entitled The Dolls House by William Rothenstein, 1899-1900. the painting seems to bear no relation to the title, a play on Ibsen's A Doll's House. The painter himself wrote extensive memoirs, but 'tended to remain tight-lipped on the subject of his own paintings' (Shaw, 2016). It seems to be a mystery that he has chosen that title. Shaw goes on to say: ' If Rothenstein had intended something definite with his allusion to Ibsen he declined to state what this was, either from embarrassment (there is plenty of evidence that Rothenstein later regretted his excursion into literary titles) or as part of a deliberate strategy to keep the meaning open by actively encouraging viewers, friends and family included, to read the painting in a variety of ways.' (ibid)
It is interesting how we read art and how we learn to do this. When I'm confronted by a work of art I usually attempt to 'read' it's meaning by looking at it and then refer to the title and any written statement. Otherwise, often the latter affect how I understand it, inevitably. Everyone must bring their own experience and knowledge to their viewing of art, but also such factors as practice, ability to articulate, taste, concentration, time etc. I know that there is so much that I hope to communicate in my work through material, colour, mark making, form, surface, process, mode and place of installation etc etc. How much does it matter that people might read my work in different ways? Using an antinarrative, does that make it easier or more difficult to read? Lots to think about.
Collins Dictionary (no date) Antinarrative Available at: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/antinarrative (Accessed 11.December 2020)
Shaw, S. (2016) ‘Narrative and Anti-Narrative’, in Samuel Shaw (ed.), In Focus: The Doll’s House 1899–1900 by William Rothenstein, Tate Research Publication, Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/research/publications/in-focus/the-dolls-house-william-rothenstein/narrative-and-anti-narrative, (Accessed: 11 December 2020)
A narrative is a story, an antinarrative is a 'narrative which does not adhere to the usual conventions of narrative.' (Collins Dictionary, no date) It feels as if an antinarrative might suit my work better than an obvious linear narrative. It also interests me how various devices can be used to create an antinarrative for a video, for example:
- Title:
- Unexpected setting:
- Contrast:
- Colour:
Shaw discusses antinarrative in depth with respect to a painting entitled The Dolls House by William Rothenstein, 1899-1900. the painting seems to bear no relation to the title, a play on Ibsen's A Doll's House. The painter himself wrote extensive memoirs, but 'tended to remain tight-lipped on the subject of his own paintings' (Shaw, 2016). It seems to be a mystery that he has chosen that title. Shaw goes on to say: ' If Rothenstein had intended something definite with his allusion to Ibsen he declined to state what this was, either from embarrassment (there is plenty of evidence that Rothenstein later regretted his excursion into literary titles) or as part of a deliberate strategy to keep the meaning open by actively encouraging viewers, friends and family included, to read the painting in a variety of ways.' (ibid)
It is interesting how we read art and how we learn to do this. When I'm confronted by a work of art I usually attempt to 'read' it's meaning by looking at it and then refer to the title and any written statement. Otherwise, often the latter affect how I understand it, inevitably. Everyone must bring their own experience and knowledge to their viewing of art, but also such factors as practice, ability to articulate, taste, concentration, time etc. I know that there is so much that I hope to communicate in my work through material, colour, mark making, form, surface, process, mode and place of installation etc etc. How much does it matter that people might read my work in different ways? Using an antinarrative, does that make it easier or more difficult to read? Lots to think about.
Collins Dictionary (no date) Antinarrative Available at: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/antinarrative (Accessed 11.December 2020)
Shaw, S. (2016) ‘Narrative and Anti-Narrative’, in Samuel Shaw (ed.), In Focus: The Doll’s House 1899–1900 by William Rothenstein, Tate Research Publication, Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/research/publications/in-focus/the-dolls-house-william-rothenstein/narrative-and-anti-narrative, (Accessed: 11 December 2020)
