Persuasion
By Priscilla B Varner
By Priscilla B Varner
The display Persuasion
by Priscilla B Varner shown in the McNamara Galleria is a series of
photographs that addresses persuasion with the use of text. Persuasion is “to
induce or believe by appealing to reasons or understanding.” Every day people
are bombarded with a constant flow of things trying to persuade you in
different ways. This is most true with advertising in all forms. How does text
add to persuasion? The use of text and its placement can affect the perception
of an image.
Each image in this series has a number of words associated
with the image. These words are displayed next to them. When viewing the
series, read the image titles before looking at the image. This could influence
your opinion of the piece. Read each word carefully. Try to picture an image
for each word, and then look at the display. See how close you were to
imagining the final image. Word
choices can have a major impact on the reader or viewer. Varner has done this
with the word selection.
In one of the images, the words shown are: dynamic, formal, luxurious, opulent, strength, and warm. As shown, the words dynamic and warm are in italics. In just reading these words, I would associate them with high society and music. The word, dynamic, is defined as “constant change”. The word is also used in classical music to determine the sound volume of a selection. Classical music is just one activity of high society. People go to concert houses for symphonies or operas dressed in their finest attire. The image portrays the seats in a high-class theater or concert house. The seats are in a dark red with a stitching design around the seams. This combination is associated with formal and luxurious. Seats like these would not be found in a low budget or average theater. One must be opulent to sit in seats like these displayed.
In one of the images, the words shown are: dynamic, formal, luxurious, opulent, strength, and warm. As shown, the words dynamic and warm are in italics. In just reading these words, I would associate them with high society and music. The word, dynamic, is defined as “constant change”. The word is also used in classical music to determine the sound volume of a selection. Classical music is just one activity of high society. People go to concert houses for symphonies or operas dressed in their finest attire. The image portrays the seats in a high-class theater or concert house. The seats are in a dark red with a stitching design around the seams. This combination is associated with formal and luxurious. Seats like these would not be found in a low budget or average theater. One must be opulent to sit in seats like these displayed.
In another image, the words shown are, cold dreamy, historic, soft, somber, unhurried, whispers. As shown, the words cold and whispers are in italics. In reading these words, I would associate
them with an older part of a town during winter. An older generation lives
there and it is surrounded with nostalgic buildings. The image is over a park
in Paris, France. The Eiffel Tower can be seen in the background. This is an
historic landmark. The people in the park are talking to each other and dressed
for the cold in soft gloves and hats. Snow is on the ground and still falling.
Even with this, people are unhurried. Children play and the older generation
watches. This gives a somber feeling. The image itself can easily resemble a
dream or postcard. The Eiffel Tower poking through the falling snow gives an
accurate depiction of France during winter.
The display Persuasion
by Priscilla B Varner is a great example of how words can be used to depict an
image. Next time you’re at a display, read the program/display notes first.
This could help influence your opinion of a piece. Many things can influence a person’s persuasion. Words are
just one of them.
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