WEEK 9: Depth Perception

http://imagecache5.art.com/p/LRG/21/2148/8UGCD00Z/m-escher-depth-c-1955.jpg

This is a graphic image that uses depth perception. This artist creates the illusion of space in this piece with the following depth cues; overlap, relative size, atmospheric, linear perspective, and texture gradient. The overlap occurs with the repeating missile characters appearing over each other, where one object is hiding/covering the other object, letting us know that objects hidden are farther than the objects that are hiding/covering. Relative size can be identified with the various sizes of objects, objects in front appear to be larger than the objects behind, giving the cue that larger objects are closer. Atmospheric perspective is noticeable by the difference in contrast between smaller objects/objects covered and larger objects/objects that are covering. The lighter objects create the illusion that they are farther and are more difficult to see compared to the darker objects are close and can bee seen clearly. Linear perspective is present in this piece, yet is a little hard to identify. The best way for me to explain linear perspective here is that it determines the direction of the objects. The line is coming from the top right and off the piece, and you can see this by how a row of flying missiles are slanted slightly different. This difference in the slant is where linear perspective is effective. Texture gradient is identified by the hatch lines of each object. The closer the hatches, the farther away the object or surface is compared to srufaces/objects with hatches lines farther apart.