How important is illusion when you compare it with reality? Do you need it? How do you benefit from it?
First consider the diagram below:
- Illusion is a right brain function and it’s based on feelings and emotions.
- Reality is a left brain function and it’s based on logical thought.
- People will tell you not to slide too far to the right: “Stop living in a dream world...Wake up and smell the roses!”
- And on the other hand, not to be so serious and have a bit of fun in your life!
There needs to be a balance between the two:
For instance:
- You‘re driving and a child runs in front of your car, chasing a dog and the traffic is heavy. Many types of thoughts run through your head all at once. You know the road rules and that you have to take quick action. You also have to consider the possible consequences. To sum it up quickly, it’s a scary situation and fear takes a grip.
- If a job has to be done, you assess the situation and the obvious facts. But if there is an emotional issue involved, you have to use all your senses to fully judge the situation.
- If you are painting a beautiful scene, you assess the elements involved. You know the basic technical rules governing art and how you should re-arrange things to create a viable composition. And the need to change the colours (contrast of warm and cool colours) because you know people buy according to their emotions and senses.
- You have an idea and you want to turn it into a business, but there are a few snags that you have to work out before it’s workable. What do you do, you have to brainstorm. And what does that entail? Converting the facts and using your imagination to fill-in the necessary requirements!
- And inventors take well known facts and re-arrange those facts and add new concepts to come up with a new invention. Their innovation happened because they used their intellect and their imagination to think up the missing all important factor.
You’ll notice in each case, both sides of the brain were involved. And by the way, smelling the roses means using your senses and emotions!
Okay then, is it OK to use your imagination to create illusions? Sure:
- How do you think film producers make films?
- How do you think people compose music?
- And the famous artists composed masterpieces?
They all went on an `illusional’ trip! And then did the practical working-out stuff, to make it possible.
And we all benefit from their genius illusions!
Personally, I found 40-80% blurred paintings sell quicker than fully finely detailed paintings. Why?
- The blurred areas create atmospheric energized space and special effects, which gives people the endless opportunity to use their imagination. Blurred things also suggest action and movement. And that shows the object is alive or the wind is blowing it.
- And the carefully placed and selected details give clues to what the painting maybe basically about… making it an obvious logical assessment. But those neat details also show the object is static and lifeless!
Below is a seascape oil painting:
Amazing and mind opening article.. I love it how you expressed everything in an understandable language :)
Once we find balance the world takes on a new vision 🌐
Much love
So we see every day a different reality lol. Resteemed)
I like the post but have a remark. We perceive reality from both right and left hemispheres. Some of analytical functions may be placed in the right side and some creative - in left in different individuals brains. There are loads of researches approving it.
I love the art that's inspiration and definitely related to this topic.
I agree with u that they should be equally balanced or more even going of balance but not completely leaning into the one side.
Using a little of reality and most illusion or vice versa can create an outcome that is mindblowing .
I think success comes from imagination, when u create the possibility in ur mind and then work towards making it a reality .
Thanks for your input. I agree it can be mind blowing and also fun.
Very interesting post :).You deserve a cookie!
Thank you. So kind of you.
What made you write this article? :D
The balance diagram was a visual aid when I was teaching art. And teaching art, you soon realize you can't paint things perfectly as God made it. But rather you have to create illusions of reality. And that blurred atmospheric conditions and misty dimensions are more appealing to people.
nice post. and amazing oil painting post @artguru
I love the sea. Swimming is my other love besides painting.
Interesting post @artguru, found your article just after i wrote a blog @rinawonderlands about imagination.
I agree with what you said that blurred paintings has endless opportunity for people to use their imagination. It's true :)
i like it @artguru
great post @artguru
It's OK until you've got illusions about yourself and other people.
Hehe. That's when you have a great laugh! If you can laugh at yourself, it helps you to write more with tongue in cheek....
Yeah ... there needs to be a balance between two. Sometimes we are faulted by the illusions , so we have to take our decisions very carefully
Reality can be verified by the application of objective tests and will be substantially the same for all sane observers. Illusion will always exist solely in the perception of its direct observer(s), and will not survive objective examination.
But it's really hard for emotional and spiritual creatures to be fully objective with the tests. "Science" has changed its mind over and over again about many things. So a certain amount of illusion still exists in the perception of those who think they are being objective. One of my favorite quotes is "You can't believe everything you think." Mystical mentor character "Jones" said that in Andy Andrews' book Return of the Noticer.
Since I've quoted Andy Andrews, I suppose I'd better include a link to his video.
You can see the entire playlist that this video came from by clicking here.
Your "all sane observers" statement seems to assume that all observers are either completely sane or totally psychotic. I'm afraid it's more of a continuum from Spock-like objectivity to emotion to illusion to delusion to phychosis. In art, maybe the real art includes finding just the right sweet spot along that continuum.
Who is really sane? We have to be somewhat mad to achieve the things we do! Especially against all the adds and opposition we come across.
@shawon123 : I quoted you in my article "Illusion vs Reality: Do You Believe What You Think?" . I also linked to @shawon123.
To be creative but have a structure. Every piece of artwork, literature, film, building, all started as dreams. There is always a middle ground, but I feel the proportions change based on what you are doing at the time. Thank you again @artguru, you helped bring to light that a person can't be all dreamer or all logic when creation is involved.
@shello
So glad you saw the bigger picture, I was aiming at. Thanks.
No problem, the love is real c:
Thanks for sharing keep it up,help me, vote me 100% okay, do not stingy buddy
This is incredible! Love it. @artguru
Thanks. Once I realized what makes people tick, I found it an invaluable asset all round, in all I do.
Follow and vote me new here
Really valuable
very good
That's a very well written and interesting post! I like the example with the blurred paintings! :)
Perception and attitude.
For me it's gratitude!
Thanks for the insight!
@artguru Liked. followed votes :-) perception is key.
are these your paintings?
Yes, of cause. Check out my website for more: http://www.adafagan.co.za
I edited my recent blog post, "Illusion vs Reality: Do You Believe What You Think?" to add a link to your website.
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STOPReally love this article, turning our imaginaions into reality helps in developing an innovative mindset
great post @artguru
If life is an illusion then Jesus must be a reality!
I see what you mean about illusion! See, all along I thought those delusional liberals were on the left and I was in the right, but it turns out they are in the right, and I am on the left!
Just kidding.
But seriously, I agree that real truth can best be arrived at by a combination of subjective and objective thought. Many a hypothesis has been raised from a subjective birth through objective examination and into accepted truth. We just need to let our thoughts mature.
Love you input. What is really right! Dreams are only part of bringing things into reality! It takes action and effect to bring things about.
I quoted you in my article "Illusion vs Reality: Do You Believe What You Think?"
I also linked to @artguru and to this post.
Thanks for sharing the good stuff!