The central theme of the diploma thesis is a reflection on, observation and inscenation of shadow as an independent element in a drawing and its effect on the final image of an artwork. I paid special attention to traditional media of graphite and paper.
I have been fascinated by shadows my whole life. This two-dimensional physical phenomenon – sometimes so delicate as to barely be noticeable, while other times as sharp as a knife, depending on the amount of light and the surroundings that define it – so remarkably reflects the world that surrounds us. The moving majestic shadows created by firelight on the walls and ceilings of prehistoric caves undoubtedly elicited curiosity in cave dwellers at that time, perhaps evoking feelings of fear and respect. Two-dimensional fluttering figures crept across rocks in the firelight like phantoms from some other reality. We can only imagine the fascination of prehistoric humans with this phenomenon. My imagination at least and the imagination of creators, especially moviemakers, were successfully used to create tension, fear, beauty, ambiguity, etc. According to some sources, the outline of a shadow gave rise to the genesis of western painting in ancient Greece.
In my work, I researched the two-dimensionality of the shadow and how it can affect our perception and visualisation of the three-dimensionality of space and objects.
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