Chiaroscuro
An
atypical view
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"Chiaroscuro"
is an old term borrowed for a previously undescribed concept. The newer
definition derives directly from the original Latin, clear and obscure. What concept? A
device used by artists and writers that incorporates in art or books or movies
things in front of you that are not seen for one reason or another, the creator
of the thing leaving it to you to become aware of it without it's being overtly
pointed out. These "chiaroscuri" are pertinent to the work and often are
germane, unlike other devices such as "in jokes".
"Chiaroscuro", then, is descriptive of the device, and
"chiaroscuri" the device occurrence.
Who of you have noticed
many (any?) of these arcane occurrences (chiaroscuri) in which information is
given but not elaborated upon, which are there in plain sight for the
reader/viewer to discover, usually in a work of fine art, sometimes
constituting a mystery, an enigma?
I'll bet there are hundreds of these "chiaroscuri" in the arts, some discovered and
popularly known, some discovered and known by only one or a few, and most awaiting discovery.
Take a look at the table below
and it should become clear what I'm talking about.
The table, which will
hopefully grow with your contributions, shows examples. The table is divided into
three columns, the first categorizing by type of art – fine art, books,
movies, TV, miscellaneous; the second describing the occurrence of
"chiaroscuro"; the third column, for purposes of this composition,
identifies who first discovered the occurrence.
Submissions are accepted or declined upon reasonable
research on my part for relevance and validity, and reflecting my own standards
of what is in good taste.
Email me
with your comments, and your contributions at ikrom1@fastq.com
Table is divided by arts/media category: Fine Art, Books, Movies, Television, Miscellaneous
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DID YOU EVER NOTICE
… ?
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Chiaroscuro
Noted by:
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FINE ART
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1a.
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The Sistine Chapel ceiling paintings - In the Creation of Adam,
Adam's left leg seems to have the form of a woman worked into the lower leg.
www.christusrex.org/www1/sistine/
click on ceiling
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Unknown
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1b.
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In the same panel, the billowing background robe of the Creator
is also the outline/silhouette of the cross-section of a human brain (noticed
less than a generation ago by an M.D.).
These
are subjective chiarosucuri and may not have been intended by the artist. I have to admit that the woman's body from older photos
was more pronounced before the painting was cleaned - I merely had heard of
it before, then saw it (the panel) in an art book, then on the web.
I include these as chiaroscuri, however, because the
interpretations are not unreasonable.
The image of a woman's form heralds the coming of another
premier Creation, this time from the body of Adam. Genesis in one passage states
only that the woman came from Adam; in another passage that she came from his
rib.
The brain silhouette is likewise wholly reasonable since Michelangelo
is recognized as having been a master anatomist. Why not include a
representation of the human brain, instrument of intellect and reason
separating God's premier creatures from all others.
I like to think that there are more chiaroscuri in the chapel
ceiling paintings, patiently awaiting sharp eyes to notice them.
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Unknown
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2.
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Seascape with rocks
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ikr
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3.
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Portland Vase and Pi
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Unknown
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4.
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Picasso's sculpting, "Baboon with Young"
http://home.xnet.com/~stanko/baboon.htm
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ikr
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To_Top_of_Page
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BOOK
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1.
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In the novel Rebecca (Daphne duMaurier), did you notice
that the 2nd Mrs. DeWinter, who narrates the story about her predecessor,
Rebecca and her lingering and oppressive influence, has no first name, even
though the story is told in the first person, and she is frequently addressed
and referred to? Leaving off her
name is a subtle and intelligent emphasizing of Rebecca's importance, and
also de-emphasizes the importance of the new wife as she struggles to assert
herself amidst the surrounding memories of Rebecca. Not giving #2 a name was
a stroke of genius and added a subliminal dimension of Rebecca's supremacy
versus her own timidity and inexperience.
No one that I know who has read the story agrees with me -- they
say she *does* have a first name, but they just can't remember it.
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ikr
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I once read a long short-story, A Kiss Before Dying,
Ira Levin, that involved a college-age man stalking a female student,
although the term "stalking" wasn't used as I recall. A little bit
into the story, I realized that his name hadn't been mentioned, even though
other characters both referred to him and addressed him. It made the
situation all the spookier. I then began to wonder if he was also one of the
characters who was occasionally mentioned by name when his actions were
innocent, but not referred to by name when he was being sneaky. It was a very
effective device to increase the suspense, because we didn't actually know
who he was all the while we were allowed to follow his activities first-hand.
I don't know how long the author hoped the readers would remain unaware that
a main character hadn't been named, but I was quite proud (and spooked!) when
I caught on.
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Beverly
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MOVIES
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1.
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In 2001 A Space
Odyssey, "HAL" are the letters "IBM" once removed.
There was no mention of IBM anywhere in the movie. (HAL = heuristically
programmed algorithmic computer).
The Lost
Worlds of 2001, Arthur C. Clarke
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Stan
and others
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2.
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GATTACA is a movie having to do with genotyping of
individuals for purposes of determining the professional and social path
he/she will have to take in this future society. GATTACA is the name of the
corporation that performs this typing, follows individuals throughout their
lives ensuring there is no deviation from their destinies, and trains those
with elite genes for elite functions. What we are not told is that the
letters comprising GATTACA (ACGT) are the letter representations of adenine,
cytosine, guanine, and thymine, the nucleotides holding together the famous
two strands in DNA, which determine individual hereditary characteristics.
This is right in the viewer's face. GATTACA. But most would have no inkling
of the significance either of the corporate name nor of the letters.
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ikr
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TV
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M*A*S*H, the TV
series: The overhead PA announcer is never seen as a character in the series,
but his voice is omnipresent.
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Misc.
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Like what you see? Want to exchange links? Want to contribute original or attributed material? Contact opundo. If we use your material, we'll acknowledge the source.
Don't like what you see? Offended? Let me know and I'll get another opinion. If you're right, I'll remove the item.
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