The third dimension

Having finished a video using a 3-D game displayed on a 2-D display viewer, I don't think I was quite ready for a full-nude sculpture of an angel's intercourse with Jacob. Frankly, ew. However, taken as a three-dimensional display, Epstein's work does propose a very interesting display of all three dimensions. One can examine the object from various angles in order to extract the various meanings the sculptor implied in the work.

Reading 3-D images as transactional or non-transactional, however, seems a bit faulty. A transactional image, especially when the image exists in the real world, clearly interacts with the audience. However, p246 applies a transactional view to the narrative of Jacob and the Angel, with the Angel engaging in a transactional action where Jacob does not. Viewed from behind, the image changes, as I've explained. Jacob appears to have a much more transactional role in this narrative sculpture.

3-D images allow for greater modality, to use Kress' term. When you can see something from different angles, touch it, and interact with it, as Kress explains on page 250, you draw more from that object. 3-D games allow for greater modality since you can see the action or engage your enemies from all three dimensions. Sculptures have greater modality, for the most part, since you can see different representations of the work from different angles. You can look more closely at some details and ignore others, but then examine those details more closely later.

Objects may be taken out of context, as images may, but this more often than not happens with sculptures in museums. If a sculpted object, as demonstrated on page 251, is arranged out of the artist's preferred surrounding context or arrangement, it is likely that the impact of that object will be lessened. Arrangement, as with photographs, appears to be critical to 3-D objects as well.

Additionally, modality of toys seemed to be a critical point for Kress and van Leeuwan. Boy toys, such as action figures and toy dinosaurs, are rich with detail and larger-than-life scale. I remember my Hulk Hogan action figure being imposing when compared to a Barbie doll, and wondering whether the menacing weapon Colonel Hawk (of G.I. Joe) carried would actually work. Girl toys, on the other hand, seemed to be just toys. Their modality, according to Kress and van Leeuwan, was reduced since girls apparently couldn't handle reality.

Oh, my girlfriend played with ninja turtles, by the way. Awesome!