Text can focus the viewer on the works intention. Often used to explain the image and why it is represented as such. The supporting text can reveal undertones not overtly apparent to the viewer. The story behind the image can be more interesting than the picture.
The supporting text changes the context the image is seen in, just as cropping an image invites the viewer to create their own context. An aesthetic landscape may conjure up feelings of peace and relaxation, but with text accompanying it, suggesting you could be there if you buy an expensive car, the image stays the same, but our view and feelings may change.
Take this mug shot for example.
Mug shot.
The image does not seem spectacular in itself, but from reading the associated text we learn that the person was Jane Fonda. She was arrested in the 1970’s on suspicion of drug smuggling, several months later the charged were dropped. From reading a little further into it, we begin to understand the motives and political issues surrounding the arrest.
Not all text and images are separated, the definition between what is text and what is an image can be merged. Often symbols can explain things a lot quicker than the text. Road signs are basic images that explain information simply and efficiently. If you were to see a road sign with a cow on it, you would not only be more aware of the cattle that may be present on the road, but may also be more cautious concerning road conditions as a result of cattle in the area. To have this information in the format of text is futile it would have taken too long to read the information.
The separation of text and image is not always clear. Whilst they are both forms of mark making, text is generally read and images are looked upon.Below is an example of how the text can resemble an image.
Quicksilver logo.
Whilst the brand Quicksilver has a logo associated with it, the font used in the text is widely regarded as an image itself and can be found adorning clothing created by this company. This blurring of definitions between text and image occurs frequently in advertising. Often when the text is used to further illustrate and emphasise the product.
Hand drawn text.
Text is not just limited to the type fonts that we find in a word processor. One way is the process of making an image that can be read as text. Hand drawn fonts are created by artists, and can be seen as images in their own right.
Image created using text.
This process also works in reverse too. The portrait above was created using text. By adjusting, the path, boldness, and size, the text imitates mark making, as thus an image is created.
Links:
dzineors.blogspot.com, http://dzineors.blogspot.com/2010/08/35-most-popular-hand-drawn-font.html
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