Atmospheres and Phaenomenography: the Ability of Images to Generate Atmospheres
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2724-2463/21421Keywords:
Atmospheres, Quasi-Things, Images, Phaenomenography, PerceptionAbstract
This paper explores the evolving concept of atmosphere in contemporary aesthetics, emphasizing its influence on images and visual representations. Traditionally seen as mere reproductions of reality, images are now recognized for their capacity to evoke atmospheres that shape perceptions and emotions. Drawing on the phenomenological theories of Hermann Schmitz, Gernot Böhme, and Tonino Griffero, the study redefines atmospheres as ‘quasi-cosal’ entities that exist between the subject and environment. Unlike static objects, atmospheres are fluid, multisensory, and affectively charged, influencing human experience holistically. The research also examines the role of images as ‘generators of atmospheres’, high lighting their performative power beyond representation. ‘Phenomenographies’ are proposed as innovative tools for capturing the ephemeral nature of atmospheres, bridging subjective experience and visual communication. This perspective challenges conventional distinctions between subject and object, offering new interpretative horizons in architecture, visual arts, and aesthetics. By recognizing the affective and sensory dimensions of atmospheres, the paper invites a re-evaluation of contemporary experiences, enhancing emotional engagement and deepening our understanding of lived spaces.
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