Tereza Dvořáková ~ Aesthetics of dis—appearance

Thesis Supervisor: Dr. Grant Watson

Thesis: Aesthetics of dis—appearance

July 2024

Abstract 

This thesis examines a sphere of the dynamic relationship between objects and their representations, emphasizing the role of appearance as a continuous process ratherthan a static state. It explores how objects, through their intrinsic qualities and external interactions, continually shape and perform their visual manifestations. This standpoint challenges traditional views that treat appearance as a mere reflection or resemblance, highlighting instead its role in conveying meaning through distinctiveness and absence. Object-oriented ontology posits that objects possess autonomous agency, influencing their surroundings beyond human perception. This framework suggests that the appearance of objects is not merely a passive reflection but an active process shaped by their inherent properties and interactions with the environment. By reframing appearance as a dynamic phenomenon, the thesis underscores the complexity and fluidity of object-image relations within aesthetic and semiotic contexts, transcending conventional interpretations and inviting new insights into how we perceive and understand visual representations.

Author: Tereza Dvořáková