The relation towards
frame is no less loaded with metaphysical connotations. Frame is described
as the edge and end of the world, the infinity, behind which only nothing
exists. There is also a particular importance the marginal objects have
when the center is empty, and more about this will be said later. A delicate
nature of this relation is also revealed by no less than four stages of
contact between object and frame alone - even in this most abstract form.
Our falling ball, setting sun, abstract circle, was last seen right
in the equilibrium between the center and the frame, as in fig. 5. It is
somewhat surprising that nowhere before, at least to my knowledge, this
simple explanation of golden rule, or (this one is a bit rough) "the rule
of thirds" in composition, could be found. After all, we are talking about
the paramount of traditional aesthetic, on which quite some thought and
paper have been spared. This still and complacent position is characterized
by comfort, eternal rest, lack of yearning, and all that was already said
about the classic philosophy of the beautiful. (Even though sometimes even
mathematics would be the more appropriate choice of science.)
Moving ahead, we encounter a position inverse to fig. 4. The object
in fig. 6 is under gravitational force of the frame. The closer to the
edge object is, the stronger the gravity. Of course, as always, let's keep
in mind the object's own opposite force, since it is its fight that keeps
it still on this page.
Fig. 7 shows the clean touch. The whole object is still visible, possessing
the magic of one which "went to the edge of the world and made it back"
(and that in one piece, too). What touches the infinite has transcendent
powers, and that is why this object has something sacred in it, like an
altar.
On fig. 8 the frame has a bit firmer grip, resulting in great stability,
and, for most part, passive outlook. This form of contact depends on the
particular frame side we are anchored to, adopting it's properties.
Fig. 9 makes only a half of our object seen. Such strong division on
"to be and not to be", day and night, is a pure control of the opposites.
It evokes all the powers of symmetry, and so acquires some of the authority
that image center has.
If we see only a small part of the object, as in fig 10, the impression
of mystery will prevail. (We will talk about the relation between hidden
and mystical later.) It is known that the most of the object vanishes in
the "eternal darkness". Here, the object's power is derived from possession
of that "darkness" and "eternity", and it radiates it back into the image,
from its far position on the edge. If, on the other hand, this object is
perceived as weak, this will be its mean of retiring into eternity and
reaching for those powers. |