Visual Essay
‘Which is the relationship between diagram’s elements as facts versus interpretation?‘
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Antreas Panagi – Visual Essay (MAGCD – Y1U2)
Link: https://vimeo.com/557308599
My visual essay is divided into 4 sections. The first one consists of five videos, the second one is a stop-motion animation, and both the 3rd and 4th sections are mainly structured based on two scrolling ‘panels’ (split-screen). In the 4th and final section, I wanted to create something like a digital ‘sketchbook’ to show my experiments, process, inspiration and references, etc. So, ‘Which is the relationship between diagram’s elements as facts versus interpretation?’
If you prefer Youtube, go for it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lKS2X8KIP0&t=2s
↓ Scroll down for the DRAFT video, the process, etc.
Voice-over (final)
Interpretation 1
I am at a starting point on a map. I enter a Rube Goldberg machine; a system of objects to pass through. This is a blue print for a built contraption; put a ping pong ball where the arrow points down at the top of the page, and see what happens. The ball shakes as rolls across the line and through the various stages.
Interpretation 2
Everything in life happens for a reason. Every path we follow leads us in a different journey. A bigger presence watches over us and helps us choose which path is better for us. Some call it a God, some think it’s the universe. For everyone, it might be something different but for everyone is something unique and special. Life, though, has a lot of ups and downs. Every single one of them leads to a different path. We have to trust our path and enjoy every moment until the final destination.
Interpretation 3
Physics – Physics – Physics, Chemistry – Physics
Interpretation 4
A rotating eye is staring to the right. Suddenly, an art painting about space caught its eye focusing on a star which is on the painting. The star hits the planet Cronus that is next to it, breaking into smaller pieces; sun rays. These rays then hit a planet and the eye which is now blinded by the light, transforms into a star that hits another small planet, causing an explosion in the entire galaxy, becoming a comet. The comet then falls into a pond on Earth, smashing everything in various shapes.
Interpretation 5
A circle rolls to the left, passing through a rectangle with curved lines, coming out as a star. Then enters an oval within a circle and breaks apart into small straight lines. One of these straight lines moves through a knot, follows a wavy line concluding into a pipe consisting of circles, a smudge and a diagonal dashed line that leads to three other geometrical shapes. The line is now becoming a star passing through an oval and a diamond, then into a dashed smudge, becoming a circle, then a star, a square and a circle again, with the help of an arrow.
Exploring the arrow as one of the most common elements of diagrams, revealed a series of functions. Apart from showing just the direction, the arrow can be used as an element of sequence, process, destination, transformation and storytelling. This happens because of its surrounding elements which altogether form a diagram challenging the viewer to shape an interpretation. Is this a planet? No, this is just a circle!
This series of diagrams consists only of shapes, lines and arrows and each one is developed based on the interpretation of the previous one. My aim was to explore how people shape an interpretation out of these simple elements and what factors contribute to this. In the experiment took part people from all over the world, revealing that the origin or the occupation are not the main reasons of how one interprets a diagram.
Focusing only on one diagram and asking for interpretations, the answers were surprisingly different from each other. A shape can be a moon, a person, a mirror, anything. A straight line shows a connection, and a wavy line shows movement.
The interpretation can either be a noun, a concept or a plain description of the elements, but why is this happening?
John Berger in his book ‘Ways of seeing’ mentions that the way we see things is affected by our knowledge regarding various topics and what we believe.
Creating hundreds of iterations led me to the work of Ricardo Basbaum and the non-linear way of thinking that lets the viewers see the diagram as a whole, framing a story.
Diagrams are everywhere around us, sending a specific message. But when the diagrams are used without context, the meaning changes completely.
Creating a non-linear sequence of diagrams in a printed form, had as a result the unique stories we heard at the beginning. Few elements are enough for the viewer to compare it with something and think of an ‘image’.
As each interpretation hides an image behind it, makes me want to explore the relationship between an image and a diagram as one of the possible next directions of the project. What stories occur and what topics can be explored through this method?
Plan
→ Black and white (emphasis just on the elements; shapes, lines, arrows) .
→ Sound: voice-over
First part (2:30)
Going through the one-page book five times. Each time a new interpretation plays on top (recordings of different stories – different voices).
Second part (0:30)
100 Screengrabs project (stop-motion)
+ findings in brief
Third part (1:00)
Experiment 1 – some iterations + how people interpret; occupation and origin is not the main reason.
Experiment 2 – one diagram many interpretations + findings (type of interpretation; and meaning of each element).
Fourth part (1:00)
Process – Experiments – Inspiration
References (John Berger – Ways of seeing and Ricardo Basbaum – Diagrams)
Non-linear thinking
Experiment 4 without details.
One-page book.
Source of inspiration: everyday diagrams.
Experiment 6 (image and diagram) – how this project will develop (possible future direction).
Credits
Draft (Week 5)
Feedback (27.05.21)
Changes:
– Say less (pace – more pauses).
– Use written text for my position (statement).
– Narrow down the first interpretation clip to 15 seconds. This will leave more space for the other sections of the visual essay.
– Add a semicolon after each interpretation (section 3 – list).
– Background music (a little bit, something like background noise).
Backstage and draft presentation
Storyboard
Voice-over (draft)
Interpretation 1
I am at a starting point on a map. I am taking the right path which leads to something I’d describe as a “challenge”. I am entering the doorway, resulting in being centered in an equilibrium. Continuing the journey on the map, I arrive at a Rube Goldberg machine; a system of objects to pass through. A built contraption. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a blueprint for a Rube Goldberg and the next step is to make it real; put a ping pong ball where the arrow points down at the top of the page, and see what happens. The shaking ball is rolling across the line and passing through various stages.
Interpretation 2
Everything in life happens for a reason. Every path we follow leads us in a different journey. A bigger presence watches over us and helps us choose which path is better for us. Some call it a God, some think it’s the universe. For everyone, it might be something different but for everyone is something unique and special. Life, though, has a lot of ups and downs. Every single one of them leads to a different path. We have to trust our path and enjoy every moment until the final destination.
Interpretation 3
Physics – Physics – Physics, Chemistry – Physics
Interpretation 4
A rotating eye is staring to the right. Suddenly, an art painting about space caught its eye focusing on a star which is on the painting. The star hits the planet Cronus that is next to it, breaking into smaller pieces; sun rays. These rays then hit a planet and the eye which is now blinded by the light, transforms into a star that hits another small planet, causing an explosion in the entire galaxy, becoming a comet. The comet then falls into a pond on Earth, smashing everything in various shapes.
Interpretation 5
A circle rolls to the left, passing through a rectangle with curved lines, coming out as a star. Then enters an oval within a circle and breaks apart into small straight lines leading into an abstract situation. One of these straight lines moves through a knot, follows a wavy line concluding into a pipe consisting of circles, a smudge and a diagonal dashed line that leads to three other ovals. The line is now becoming a star passing through an oval and a diamond, then into a dashed smudge, becoming a circle, then a star, a square and a circle again, with the help of an arrow.
Exploring the arrow as one of the most common elements of diagrams, I wanted to investigate its functions. Surprisingly, apart from showing just the direction, the arrow can be used as an element of sequence, process, transformation and storytelling. This happens because of its surrounding elements which altogether form a diagram challenging the viewer to shape an interpretation.
Is this a planet? No this is just a circle.
And so the investigation journey into the interpretations of diagrams begins.
Starting by creating diagrams consisting only of shapes, lines and arrows; each one is developed base on the interpretation of the previous one. My aim was to explore how people shape an interpretation out of these simple elements and what are the factors that contribute to this. In the experiment took part people from all over the world, revealing that the origin or the occupation are not the main reasons of how one interprets a diagram.
Focusing only on one diagram and asking for interpretations, the answers were really interesting. The interpretation can either be a noun, a concept or a plain description of the elements. A shape can be a moon, a person, a mirror, anything. A straight line shows a connection, and a wavy line shows movement, a procedure.
So which is the relationship between the diagrams elements as facts vs interpretation?
John Berger in his book ‘Ways of seeing’ mentions that the way we see things is affected by what we know and what we believe. Our interests, experiences and the way we approach various topics/subjects. Creating hundreds of iterations led me to the Work of Ricardo Basbaum and more specifically to the non-linear way of thinking that lets the viewers see the diagram as a whole, shaping an imaginative space, a story.
Diagrams are everywhere around us, sending a specific message, serving a specific purpose. But when these are used without context, the meaning changes completely.
Creating a sequence of diagrams in a non-linear way in the form of a one-page book, had as a result the interesting and unique stories we heard at the beginning. The viewer engages differently when unfolding, flipping or rotating a piece of paper consisting only of shapes, lines and arrows. These simple elements are enough in order for the viewer to compare it with something and imagine an ‘image’.
As each diagram/interpretation hides an image behind it, challenging me to want to explore the relationship between an image and a diagram as one of the possible next directions of the project. What stories and concerns occur, how these two powerful mediums can coexist and what topics can be explored through this method?