CARICATURE

Caricature is a class of drawing that we have not addressed.  Yet the fundamental concepts and technique apply 100% to Transparent Drawing.

Hockney summarizes it nicely when he states, describing the mode of Frans Hals, a great caricaturist, that he had “an eye for the essentials.”  p157.  Part of the requirements of a successful caricature is that the essence of what is being depicted is captured with fidelity in just a few lines.  And with these few lines, there is a sufficient precision to make the communication clear.

How much knowledge is contained within the minimal lines of a caricaturist?  It can be argued that, because of the minimal information, there is great knowledge.  For as we have seen, the more minimal the mode, the more conceptual the depiction, and therefore the greater knowledge.  For more on high concept/high knowledge, see Egyptian Spacetime as an example.

The caricature is in the same mode as cave drawings (cave) and what we call children’s drawings (child).  Each, because of their great economy of means, are able to communicate a large amount of knowledge.

It is interesting to consider that caricature, cave and child are all operating close to Representational Spacetime, although they are not fully within it.  Despite the enormous economy of means, there is an implied opacity in every cave, child and caricature drawing.

So I would like to posit that Transparent Drawing shares the same traits as caricature, cave and children’s drawings.  My drawing at the top of the page was selected as I believe it demonstrates these same efficient qualities.  The essence is depicted.  The concept remains intact.  There are only a few lines and tones.  It communicates conceptual, holistic knowledge.  And of course, the innovation is that it is a transparent drawing, a transparent caricature,  of a three dimensional form.

One of my favorite possessions is this caricature of me which was done 25 years ago by a waiter at my favorite restaurant in Madrid, Casa Botin.

1.  Hockney, David. Secret Knowledge. Viking Studio; New York. 2006.