CIN201Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Rudolf Arnheim, Medium Specificity, Film Theory
Lecture I-11: Rudolf Arnheim, Classical Film Theory, and Medium Specificity
Lecture Structure:
1) Introduction: Classical Film Theory and Medium Specificity
2) Rudolf Arnheim and Gestalt Psychology
3) Perception and Cinema as Art
Introduction: Classical Film Theory and Medium Specificitył
Rudolf Arnheim contributed significantly to classical film theory, though his
most famous scholarship concerns visual perception.
Much of classical film theory depends upon a notion of medium specificity.
Attributes distinct to a medium are thought to define that medium’s artistic
potential.
Classical film theory embraces the idea of medium specificity to prove that
cinema is a distinct artform.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing’s Laocoon: An Essay on the Limits of Painting
and Poetry proved highly influential in shaping the medium-specificity
argument.
Lessing argues that one needs to differentiate each art according to its
medium-specific elements.
Rudolf Arnheim and Gestalt Psychology
Gestalt psychology holds that the mind perceives by constructing wholes out
of the parts that constitute reality.
Immanuel Kant’s idea that meaningful and a priori structures (such as unity)
shape perception lies behind gestalt psychology.
Our mind sees simple wholes.
The (perceived) whole is always greater than the sum of the (provided) parts.
Various laws govern our perceptual operations, including proximity,
similarity, and closure.
Pragnanz is a master principle, insofar as our perception seemingly seeks
order, symmetry, and simplicity.
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Document Summary
Lecture i-11: rudolf arnheim, classical film theory, and medium specificity. Lecture structure: introduction: classical film theory and medium specificity, rudolf arnheim and gestalt psychology, perception and cinema as art. Rudolf arnheim contributed significantly to classical film theory, though his most famous scholarship concerns visual perception. Much of classical film theory depends upon a notion of medium specificity. Attributes distinct to a medium are thought to define that medium"s artistic potential. Classical film theory embraces the idea of medium specificity to prove that cinema is a distinct artform. Gotthold ephraim lessing"s laocoon: an essay on the limits of painting and poetry proved highly influential in shaping the medium-specificity argument. Lessing argues that one needs to differentiate each art according to its medium-specific elements. Gestalt psychology holds that the mind perceives by constructing wholes out of the parts that constitute reality. Immanuel kant"s idea that meaningful and a priori structures (such as unity) shape perception lies behind gestalt psychology.
