http://www.absentofi.org/2006/06/figure-ground-reversal/ An exploration into the mystery of existence Wed, 09 Jul 2008 01:52:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 http://www.absentofi.org/2006/06/figure-ground-reversal/#comment-2571 Vincent Clark Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:33:09 +0000 http://www.absentofi.org/2006/06/figure-ground-reversal/#comment-2571 I have enjoyed your ramblings, and would like to also explore figure-ground reversals in the realm of creativity. It seems to me that every new creative idea stems from some sort of perception that began with a figure-ground reversal. My hero inventor is Eli Whitney, and his invention of the cotton gin was novel because he did not try to pick the seeds from the cotton, he reversed figure and ground and had his invention pick the cotton from the seeds. When I am landscaping in my yard, I find that each novel idea manages to utilize a figure-ground reversal. I dig sod from a future garden spot and use the sod to replant grass on a hilly slope under some pine trees. The hole becomes a channel for storm water to collect and soak into the ground. I also needed to remove some shade on some newly planted trees which was caused by some overhanging American Hornbeam trees on the fence property line. I did not cut them down, rather, I cut them at ten feet high, allowing them to bush out and form screening for the property, and used the cut tops for a broken fence barricade. In each instance, I used something that did not belong to me and in one motion, I solved three problems. The history of Gestalt Psychology seems to have stagnated in this development of figure-ground themes. All I can find about it are a few prints of black and white images that are over 150 years old. MC Escher prints also are referenced. I have enjoyed your ramblings, and would like to also explore figure-ground reversals in the realm of creativity. It seems to me that every new creative idea stems from some sort of perception that began with a figure-ground reversal. My hero inventor is Eli Whitney, and his invention of the cotton gin was novel because he did not try to pick the seeds from the cotton, he reversed figure and ground and had his invention pick the cotton from the seeds. When I am landscaping in my yard, I find that each novel idea manages to utilize a figure-ground reversal. I dig sod from a future garden spot and use the sod to replant grass on a hilly slope under some pine trees. The hole becomes a channel for storm water to collect and soak into the ground. I also needed to remove some shade on some newly planted trees which was caused by some overhanging American Hornbeam trees on the fence property line. I did not cut them down, rather, I cut them at ten feet high, allowing them to bush out and form screening for the property, and used the cut tops for a broken fence barricade. In each instance, I used something that did not belong to me and in one motion, I solved three problems. The history of Gestalt Psychology seems to have stagnated in this development of figure-ground themes. All I can find about it are a few prints of black and white images that are over 150 years old. MC Escher prints also are referenced.

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