by Marshall Chisholm

Created on: April 10, 2010

"Film vs. Paintings in Regards to Solipsism"

When you consider still art, with moving art; i.e. painting against film, several different regions of argument come into play. How do paintings pertain to us and our awareness, how do movies?  Why do paintings hold a far less impressively sized and isolated population of enthusiasts while movies reach out to most cultures, social classes, and interests? Paintings are still, they are un moving and are designed for mood interpretation. They give you a framed impression that does not change. Film is a reality to experience- rather, an alternate reality to experience. Can we distinguish cinema from theatre and paintings? The answer is yes. Consider each of these a different plane (in relation to planes of existence) of art, each appealing to the body and mind in a different way and different intensities.

            For the first comparison, consider the relationship between film and paintings. Both represent interpretations of the world around us, of people, of events in history. Both may also be completely fictitious and fantastical. The mimesis, the relationship through mimicry and imitation between the two is based on non-visual aspects. Rather, their intent is their mutual relationship. While ontologically, one argues that a film and a picture are projections of a realm we are metaphysically absent from, I believe there is more of a connection there than physical presence. Paintings and films are open to interpretation via every individual viewing or observing and their interpretations are exclusive to them alone. Therefore, while we are not physically present in this alternate realm, we interpret it as individuals. The creators of the film, the authors of the paintings, are not with us to interpret what we observe as they meant it. While they can guide and direct our probable interpretation through manipulation of camera angles, lighting and such other means, they cannot force a single mindset into us. So we recreate the world they generate and add our own opinions to the scenes thus making the realm our own.

            The connection between films and paintings, is that they both are subject to reinterpretation within our minds. They both require perception, which is unique for each of us. While we do not exist within the film or a painting, it is mentally brought within us and recreated in our

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