Perspective vs. Perception

Perspective: a view or position; a point of view

Perception: a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression; to seize and understand

Two words that are so close can be misleading. It is important to observe, depict and understand differences between seemingly interchangeable abstractions. I will begin my depiction by describing my particular perspective (or view) on these quasi-homonyms. One begins with perspective; one has a point of view on something and that is the base. From this angle, one can color the “something” with his/her perceptions. Perception is distinctly different because it adds many facets to the initial perspective; it adds to the stratum to make the initial “something” more complex.

For example, two “Constants” in an experiment can be looking at an exactly symmetrical statue from opposite sides in a perfectly square white room with a light directly above the statue, so that the statue is completely equivalent from either side. These two Constants have the same perspective. However, the lives of the Constants have been taken in many different directions, affecting their minds through the lens of particular life experiences. Their outer perspective of the statue is similar, but their perception of the image is most likely quite different. On a basic scientific level, maybe Constant 1 is colorblind or far-sighted. These attributes change pigmentation and depth perception. Maybe the statue’s shape stimulates a memory in Constant 1’s mind, while Constant 2’s mind passes over that particular contour.

A more commonly known psychoanalytic test would be the Rorschach inkblot test. In this “experiment”, it would be incorrect to state that two persons looking at the same inkblot from the same angle, distance and in the same light have different perspectives. It would be correct to comment on the distinctions between their perceptions of the blotch. Simply put: perspective is about the external factors while perception deals with the internal.


I’m not sure why I have been thinking about this so much lately, but the power of language and the intricacies within deeply intrigue me. As a good friend of mine said: “words are very much external”. I want to capture the essence of my internal mind, my perspective and my perceptions with words, not just images.
The dictionary cites the following as Art:

acrylic painting
action painting
mural painting
oil painting
painting
watercolor
woodcarving
woodcutting
stonecutting
brass rubbing
airbrushing
scumbling
sculpture
sketching
silk-screen printing
screen printing
cartooning
enameling
encaustic
engraving
grisaille
calligraphy
photography
photomontage
marbling
marquetry
montage
trompe l’oeil
pastel
stained glass
mosaic
mezzotint
batik
aquatint
linocut
lithography
lost wax
ceramics
gouache
collage
decoupage
sgraffito
fresco
impasto
intaglio
intarsia
cire perdue
cloisonné
conté
etching
tempera
distemper
drawing
dry point
pointillism
tachism
illumination!

Words capture images. Words create art through poetry. We’ve all heard the poet’s pen is his paintbrush – it could also be his woodcarver, wax dripper, glue, sponge etc... Whatever tool can mark up a page, wall, cave or surface is an artistic device. Do you think in words or images? What’s your cerebral tool?