On Reflection: Jonathan Miller

Subtitle

Jonathan Miller: on refelction

Synopsis

Four short programmes in which Jonathan Miller draws on geometry and perception to look at how artists use reflections and mirrors in their paintings. He explores not only how artists have found the technical means to depict the full range of refelctive surfaces, but also how they have used mirrors and windows to symbolise moral and psychological states: 1) Seeing Ourselves: how children learn to recognise their images in mirrors and how this helps them to form a sense of self; 2) how different surfaces reflect in different ways; 3) Perception: windows and convex mirrors, and how artists have enjoyed playing with the various visual effects and ambiguities resulting from light striking glass; 4) Uses Hoogstraten’s ‘Peepshow’ to discuss how people know a flat reflective surface is a mirror and not a picture, window or door.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 35 min.

Year of production

1998

Availability

Sale; 1999 sale £10.00 (inclusive)

Notes

Broadcast on BBC2 from 16/9/98.

Subjects

Art

Keywords

light; visual perception

Credits

Cast

Jonathan Miller

Production Company

Name

London

Distributor

Name

National Gallery Publications Ltd

Email

online@nationalgallery.co.uk

Web

http://www.nationalgallery.co.uk/products/art_books/art_dvd_cd External site opens in new window

Phone

020 7747 2870

Address

St Vincent House
30 Orange Street
WC2H 7HH