Hokusai: The Great Wave off Kanagawa

The mathematician Kiyoshi Oka stated that emotion lies at the core of the human heart;

the essence of art is the perception—prior to intellectual knowledge—of the integral nature inherent in visible forms.

Lately, I have come across numerous videos online featuring Hokusai’s "The Great Wave,"

yet they are accompanied only by personal impressions or explanatory notes;

not a single one qualifies as an art-historical analysis.

Our understanding of the mental activity known as art lags the furthest behind.

The reason for this state of affairs is clear.

Since the work is created for a practical purpose, the first thing that catches the eye is its function as a sign.

We must look beyond the habitual way of viewing it merely as a sign;

instead, we must perceive its form to truly grasp the essence of art.

 

It is the form that holds the artistic quality.

Those involved in the arts—including the commercial art world, the academic art community, museum professionals, and conventional painters—have, needless to say, become obsolete in the digital age.

These individuals focus their attention solely on physical works—that is, works intended for sale.

We need to consider another type of person.

True art lovers seek out images.

They buy art books and take pleasure in searching the internet daily for new images.

Let us call these people "true lovers of image-based art."

If you frequently view the image "The Great Wave" in digital form, its structure gradually becomes apparent.

 

 

 Hokusai: The Great Wave off Kanagawa

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"Osiokurihatoutuusennozu"

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