Literal Looking: What We See in Art

Harvard FAS

What do we really see when we look at a work of art? If we have little experience, we may not get far beyond discerning the theme and ascertaining whether the work is an accurate representation of reality (in the case of representational art); confronted with abstract art, seeing the work may result primarily in confusion or frustrated musing over what the point is. If we have "too much experience” the seminar will address what "too much experience" might be and how literal looking relates to…