This Event has Passed
Pareidolia is our tendency to perceive a specific, often meaningful image in a random or ambiguous visual pattern. It is our ability to see shapes or make pictures out of randomness. Our perception imposes a meaningful interpretation on nebulous stimuli, so we see an object, pattern or meaning where there is none. For example, in a Rorschach inkblot test a viewer is asked to describe what he/she see in ambiguous inkblot images. A therapist then interprets the person's answers. The Rorschach test is often portrayed as a way of revealing someone’s unconscious thoughts, motives, or desires.
Pareidolia comes from the German word Pareidolie which is based on the Greek, par meaning closely related to, and eidolon, meaning image, or reflection. Eidolon can also be a spirit-image of a person; a phantom or shade look-alike of a human form.
My point of view is that reality is nebulous, and that we’re constantly imposing our meaning onto it. Whatever significance we imbue to reality, it can permeate our being and characterizes our personality. For most of these paintings, I see random abstract colors and shapes, but I find they also elicit representational images, depending on how I look at them. I also notice that other people often see different images in the paintings than I do. I wonder if the images we see are a reflection of our own state of mind? I often see people or animals, which are both important in my life.
First Friday Reception - May 5, 5-8PM
