Have you ever stopped to think about how many ways there are to depict a simple apple? Beyond the glossy red fruit in a supermarket bin, apples have a rich history and symbolism that artists have captured in countless ways. This essay delves into the world of the apple, exploring its visual representations through the lens of Scott McCloud’s “The Big Triangle.”
Beyond the Realistic
Visual representations of objects can range dramatically, from the lifelike detail of a photograph to the abstract expression of a Rothko painting. Scott McCloud, in his influential book “Understanding Comics,” introduces a helpful tool for visualizing this spectrum: “The Big Triangle.” This triangle proposes three key points:
- Reality: Representing the actual physical object.
- Meaning: Visualizing concepts like love or trust.
- Picture Plane: Focusing purely on form and aesthetics.
McCloud’s triangle offers a framework for exploring different artistic approaches, and today, we’ll use it to delve into the world of the apple.
A Visual Exploration Through Sketches
Before diving into color or specific themes, I started with a series of pencil sketches exploring different stylistic approaches. Each sketch focused on a particular aspect of the apple’s form, with some drawn as perfect circles, others as lines or dots. While some were colored in, others emphasized line weight to create distinction within the set.
Minimalism: Capturing the Essence
Next, I explored minimalist representations, seeking the simplest way to evoke an apple. Some might consider an “A” and the color red slightly abstract, but interestingly, when young children learn their alphabet, they associate “A” with the image of an apple. Similarly, the color red may not inherently represent an apple on its own, but when combined with other minimalist elements, it can suggest the fruit.
A Bite of Reality: Photographic Exploration
Shifting gears, I captured five different photographs of an apple, each presenting a unique perspective. These images can also subtly reflect different ways we enjoy apples — some choose to peel them, some slice them in half, while others prefer the whole fruit.
Beyond the Fruit: Exploring Cultural Significance
Apples appear in various iconic food items associated with them. I explored images of apple cider, caramel apples, apple jam, and apple pie — all testaments to the apple’s culinary influence.
Symbolic Narratives: Apples Across Time
Moving beyond the physical, I investigated apples within symbolic and contextual narratives. Famous stories and historical events often associate apples with various meanings. The first sketch in this series portrays the “Apple of Knowledge” from the Book of Genesis, symbolizing temptation and forbidden fruit. The next depicts the poisoned apple from Snow White, emphasizing its deadly potential. Following that, allusions to Robin Hood, King Midas, and Surrealist paintings like Magritte’s “The Son of Man” (featuring a green apple obscuring a man’s face) explore themes of deceit, desire, and hidden truths. Finally, images reference the apple’s connection to scientific discovery through Isaac Newton’s gravity theory and technological advancement with Apple Inc.
Pushing Boundaries: Exploring Form
This section pushes the boundaries of representation. Here, I used various materials to create 2D and 3D apple shapes, playing with positive and negative space.
The Joy of Exploration
Creating 50 diverse interpretations of an apple proved challenging yet immensely enjoyable. The exercise encouraged experimentation and letting go of perfectionism within the time constraints. Each rendering can stand alone, but together they form a playful and insightful exploration of a familiar object.
