M.C. Escher, a Dutch graphic artist. Analysis By Gustavo Parra

Title: Rind (1955)

Specifications: Wood engraving and woodcut in black, brown, blue-grey and grey, printed from 4 blocks. 235mm x 345mm.

This artwork by Escher obtained my attention because the different elements and concepts with wich he is playing:

Continuation Concept: 

It is the first one that come to mind due to the fact that the viewer just has to follow the sort of path of the profile head. It does not have a point of start defined therefore, from the bottom to the top is also possible to do it. The effect in the audience is really impressive due to the unique way to explore the concept of 4th field or dimension, allowing the viewer takes the action to re-build the figure visually.

Closure Concept:

The process of reconstruction is possible because of the way as Escher placed the long "reddish tape" and giving the trims to play with the negative space however, he is keeping the shape.

Title: Tetrahedral Planetoide (1954)

Specifications: Woodcut in green and black, printed from 2 blocks. 430mm x 430mm.

Due to the level of complexity I chose to analyse it.

Figure and Ground:

It is possible notice how some figures are pointing to each side of the boundaries (in this case screen) as a expansion movement while on the other hand, some figures are collapsing as a negative space.

Closure:

Also this artwork allows to witness of how a tetrahedron as a main figure that contains a subgroup of geometrical shapes.

Reification:

In the image, multi-perception is the key of composition. Additionally of the previous descriptions, a perception of sort of face can be see; but bearing in mind the vanishing points composition is the clue to understand this Gestalt concept..

Escher Motivation Video.

Escher At Work from M.C. Escher on Vimeo.

REFERENCES:

The Official M.C. Escher Website
This website is published by the M.C. Escher Foundation and The M.C. Escher Company B.V. in Baarn, the Netherlands. The site is available in both English and Dutch.

Version 5.0 - Last updated: December 31, 2013

Images:

1) Mcescher.com,. 'M.C. Escher – Rind'. N.p., 2015. Web. 13 June 2015.
2) Mcescher.com,. 'M.C. Escher – Tetrahedral Planetoide'. N.p., 2015. Web. 13 June 2015.