Glossary entry

Spanish term or phrase:

El espectador cobra importancia como segundo tiempo.

English translation:

The painting is transposed onto the viewer; the viewer becomes the artist's second canvas

Added to glossary by Bubo Coroman (X)
Apr 15, 2009 09:44
15 yrs ago
2 viewers *
Spanish term

El espectador cobra importancia como segundo tiempo.

Spanish to English Art/Literary Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting Text on Caravaggio
Text from Spain, describing the groundbreaking nature of Caravaggio's painting. I am not sure of the meaning here and would appreciate any stylish ideas. Here's more context and TIA!
Es probable que haya sido Caravaggio el primer pintor excedido, esto es, el primero en aprehender la realidad más cruda y no tener el más mínimo pudor en plasmarla. Caravaggio no buscaba la nobleza de los temas, ni desde la forma, ni desde la técnica. Nunca ha buscado lo agradable porque sí. Su realismo es el exceso, seguramente en paralelo a su propia vida, turbulenta y corta , siendo acusado de un crimen y otros delitos menores. De ahí que artistas como Poussin, entre otros, lo señalaran como capaz de destruir la pintura, aún conscientes de su indudable calidad técnica. Lo afirmaban pensando en cómo Caravaggio deconstruía los principios clásicos de la pintura, cómo destilaba su condición de lenguaje en discurso, en posibilidad. *El espectador cobra importancia como segundo tiempo*. El cuadro como soporte y la imagen como superficie se desvanecen para tornar lo invisible la pintura.
Change log

Apr 16, 2009 07:36: Bubo Coroman (X) Created KOG entry

Discussion

Noni Gilbert Riley Apr 15, 2009:
Agree with your interpretation Without the viewer there is no discourse.
Edward Tully (asker) Apr 15, 2009:
question - could this be referring to the spectator as "the second party" in the discourse or conversation?

Proposed translations

+1
32 mins
Selected

The painting is transposed onto the viewer; the viewer becomes the artist's second canvas

because of what comes next - the painting disappearing
Peer comment(s):

agree Jimena Carracedo : wow! very poetic, I am impressed with your interpretation... Agree
7 hrs
thanks Jimena, enjoy your day! :-) Deborah
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "best option again! Thanks to everyone and especially Deborah! ;-)"
+1
7 mins

The viewer becomes important / takes on significance as the second half of the equation

Can't say that I'm the least bit sure what's being said here, since I can't identify clearly the "first half". But here's an idea, even if not v stylish.

Wonder how you're going to deal with the following sentence....!

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Note added at 7 mins (2009-04-15 09:52:02 GMT)
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Ha ha. See you've already posted the next question!!
Peer comment(s):

agree Natalia Pedrosa (X)
1 hr
Gracias Natalia.
Something went wrong...
31 mins

The viewer gains importance like a second half.

The translation is quite literal but my interpretation is that the viewer's interpretation of the piece is what is important: There is no second half without a first half just as the painting has no meaning without an interpretation by a viewer.
I hope this helps, though it is just an idea.
Something went wrong...
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