Explorations

Future Paths of Phenomenology

1st OPHEN Summer Meeting

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The spatial and temporal modalities

Ian Verstegen

pp. 79-92

Abstract

In order to remain on a metaphysical plane and resist physicalist notions of mediality, the idea of a "modality" is introduced, a supra-medial ideal form of aesthetic organization. With Arnheim's help, Robert Sowers outlined three spatial modalities: the Picture, Sculpture and Architecture. A mixture of two modalities or one conceived in the mode of another is considered a hybrid. Arnheim spent a good bit of time discussing how modalities might differ, often by imagining each put to different uses (essentially the phenomenological method of imaginative variation). Spatial hybrids are all objects of vision and therefore require substantial differentiation, whereas temporal modalities are easier, owing to the fact that visual action, text and music are relatively distinct.

Publication details

Published in:

Verstegen Ian (2018) Arnheim, Gestalt and media: an ontological theory. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 79-92

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-02970-8_6

Full citation:

Verstegen Ian (2018) The spatial and temporal modalities, In: Arnheim, Gestalt and media, Dordrecht, Springer, 79–92.