Gestalt in the Narrows

First, here's the arrow on the Riverwalk trail I was talking about.

The are a couple of Gestalt principles at work here - the figure/ground relationship is what makes this difficult to discern at first because the illusion is perpetuated by the background actually being the figure. Upon this relationship, pragnanz is played out, reducing the complex lines in the relief of the limestone into a shape with which we are familiar, much like the FedEx logo. Continuity and closure is at work here as well.

To better understand the principles of Gestalt theory I am asking you to use class time today to visit either the Holland Building or the Eccles Fine Arts Center and discern these principles in their architectural design.  

Remember, figure/ground relationships are the canvas upon which the other principles function; similarity, proximity, pragnanz, continuity, and closure. Observe both interior and exterior elements of your selected edifice, photograph them and upload your observations to your blog, calling this post Gestalt in Architecture

My Visceral Response

It's the ending to my favorite film, American Beauty. I've watched it dozens of times and still the last three minutes plungs me into one of the greatest dichotomies of feeling my heart can stand.

Color plays a huge role here, along with cinematic elements that capitalize on stupefying, but so does my own frame of reference, something we all independently bring to anything we see that causes such a commotion. Spoiler alert, though: if you haven't seen the film, you may want to before rolling the clip below.