Question

Which concept(s) does this image by Escher illustrate? 

• A. Tessellation
• B. Figure and Ground
• C. Mise en Scene
• D. Collage

Hint:

M.C. Escher's work is famous for its use of mathematical concepts. When you see an Escher print in a question, immediately think of concepts like tessellations, impossible objects, paradoxes, and perceptual shifts like figure-ground.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The image is M.C. Escher's famous woodcut "Day and Night". To answer the question, we need to understand the artistic and design concepts listed in the options and see which ones apply to the artwork.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
A. Tessellation: A tessellation is a pattern of repeating geometric shapes (called tiles) that fit together without any gaps or overlaps. In the center of Escher's image, the interlocking black and white birds form a perfect tessellation that covers the plane. This concept is central to the artwork.
B. Figure and Ground: This is a principle of visual perception where we tend to separate a scene into a main element (the figure) and a background (the ground). Escher plays with this concept masterfully. The viewer can perceive the white birds as the figure against a black background, or the black birds as the figure against a white background. This perceptual ambiguity is a key feature of the piece.
C. Mise en Scene: This term originates from theater and film and refers to the overall design of a production, including scenery, props, lighting, and costume. It is not a concept used to describe a static 2D artwork like this one.
D. Collage: A collage is an artwork created by assembling different materials or images, often from various sources, onto a surface. This image is a woodcut, a print made from a single carved block, not an assembly of different pieces.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The image clearly illustrates both Tessellation and the Figure and Ground relationship.