Images have never been as present as they are today. With the invention of technically produced images, the digitisation of content and the latter’s increasing accessibility via digital information technologies, the image, as a medium, now shapes all facets of our social communication. Today, images have become omnipresent, permeating all areas of life and knowledge in our society to an unprecedented extent – also in architecture. The first theoretical part of the course provides a basic outline of the concept of the image and the nature of pictorial representation. Important underlying aspects of visual perception are taught, and the associated blurring and scope for interpretation in the processing of visual information are demonstrated. Following this, basic concepts of gestalt psychology or gestalt theory and important principles of image organisation are introduced and shown in more detail using example images from the fields of art, photography and cinematography. In view of the constantly changing technical and cultural conditions, individual example images are examined with regard to their content-related, formal and aesthetic aspects, and the claim to reality asserted by newer, seemingly photographic images is questioned and discussed. With practical work in mind, important elements of image design and visual composition are subsequently taught, along with methods for preparing, managing (curating), editing and collaging digital images. Based on the knowledge acquired from the lecture series and aided by the practice-oriented workshops, the students individually develop a multi-part visual work during the semester. The image technologies used comprise photography and digital montage.
