Raíces corporales del dibujo: una mirada a dibujar desde la fenomenología y la tesis del embodiment

Abstract

Concepts about drawing thus far have either been linked to linguistic definitions, or have referenced a mind-body dualism, rather than a solely corporal experience. This investigation intends, through phenomenological concepts and the thesis ´embodiment´ to define the graphic act as a cognitive action that emerges from the body. The description of these two positions allows the act of drawing to be seen as something which depends on personal corporal experience and simultaneously on the physical environment, which affects experiential systems. These systems are the body image and body schema (Shaun Gallagher) and image schemata (Mark Johnson). At the same time, this work contemplates how anchor material and entrenchment intervene in the graphic thought process to bring together mark-making and physical habits and movements in this action. Thus, the idea develops that graphic actions are dictated by the body through perception, intentionality and movement, and these are articulated through the image schemata (force, balance and path) that give understanding, a sense of physical limitation and meaning to the environment. When understood like this, each movement and graphic mark executed by the drawer comes from a bodily impulse. Finally, therefore, this work proposes that drawing be defined as a way of thinking that depends more on bodily movement, on the limits of this corporeality and experience.