Theories of visual artist - Book Report/Review Example

Traditional Theories of Expression In his discussion about theories of expression, Arnheim gives a distinction between learned systems of expression and the inborn perception. According to Arnheim, learned systems are the techniques that a person acquires as a result of watching others do that work. He asserts that the more technical skills a person have, the better their craft. On the other hand, inborn perception he says is the talent one is born with (Arnheim 445). He also states that a person with inborn perception do not have to depend on nature in order to get solutions to problems, but only have to think and get solutions out of their problems.

Arnheim cites Charles Darwin who believed that external expressions together with their psychical counterparts were connected by one observing either through inborn instincts or through learning. From this he asserts that most of human movement expressions are acquired with time rather than inborn. From the traditional theory, he discloses that expression judgement relies on stereotypes and not inborn perceptions where individuals get these stereotypes from social groups. Also, the theory shows the way past experiences shape the current happenings.

One can understand that learned systems are more applicable compared to inborn perceptions from the experience. For example, when humans are communicating with animals like a cat or a cow, the two have to look each other’s body expressions in order to understand the information being passed across (Arnheim 445-447). This shows how human beings learn from nature to develop works of art that make sense. On the other hand, inborn perception cannot aid in such communication that does not use language and therefore inborn perception is ruled out in such a communication.

From his discussion, you find that he tries to explain that learned systems are nurtured from an early stage while inborn perception is nature driven. Acquiring technical skills and perfecting them need determination and hence one has to practice the skill often. On the contrary, it is nature that shapes inborn perception. For instance, one only has to see an object and then make craft of such object without practicing the making of that craft. This means that it is the mind that controls inborn perceptions.

From the discussion, an individual understands that in order to express themselves accordingly, they have to learn the ways of expression. It is unreal for one to grow from a tender age with the knowledge of expression. Similarly, one has to nurture a talent for it to be perfect. On the other hand, is through nature that people are able to nurture talents and have inborn perceptions (Arnheim 448-455). It is through our wisdom that we know the type of body or facial expression to give depending on the information we receive.

Therefore, individuals should understand that inborn perceptions contribute to learned systems of expression in as much as we may want to give learned expression an upper hand.Work CitedArnheim, Rudolf. Art and visual perception. California: University of California Press. 1954. Print.