Summary:
The purpose of this article is to explore an important concept in the film theory of the French philosopher Deleuze – the pleat. First, the basic framework of Deleuze's film theory is reviewed, and the source and connotation of the concept of pleats are introduced. Secondly, by analyzing the application of pleats in film narrative, audio-visual expression and movie-watching experience, the influence and significance of the concept of pleats on film art are discussed.
I. Introduction
Gilles Deleuze was one of the most influential French philosophers of the 20th century, and his ideas covered many fields, including art, literature, and film. In the field of cinema, Deleuze has developed many enlightening theories, one of the most important of which is the concept of "fold". This article will focus on exploring the concept of pleats in Deleuze's film theory, and discuss its importance and application in film theory and practice.
The concept of pleats originated from Deleuze's reference and innovation to Leibniz's monadism and European Baroque art style. In Deleuze's theoretical framework, the pleat is not only a morphological feature, but also a philosophical concept with profound symbolic significance, representing a rich variety of differences and complexities. In the film, the pleat is understood as a kind of superposition and distortion of time and space, which gives the film more diverse dimensions and interpretation possibilities, and expands the expressiveness and meaning of film art.
II. Deleuze's concept of pleats
A. Leibniz's monadism
Leibniz's monadism is one of the important theoretical foundations of Deleuze's concept of folds. Leibniz believed that the world was made up of tiny entities called "monads", which were the most basic units of indivisibility and were interconnected by "folds". In Leibniz's view, monads are infinitely diverse, and each monad contains information about the whole world, and they interact and change with each other to make up the diversity and complexity of the world. Deleuze drew inspiration from Leibniz's idea and applied it to his own philosophical system.
For Deleuze, the pleat is not only a morphological feature, but also a philosophical concept with profound symbolic significance. He further developed Leibniz's monadism and believed that the world is made up of countless folds that overlap in time and space to form a rich and diverse world. Each pleat is unique and complex, and they are interconnected through pleats and connections that make up the diversity and variability of the world. As a result, pleats became one of Deleuze's important ways of understanding the world, and one of the core concepts in his film theory.
B. Baroque art style
The Baroque art style was another important factor that influenced the concept of the Deleuze pleat. Baroque art emerged in Europe in the 17th century and is known for its intricate compositions, use of curves, and rich detail. In Baroque art, artists express the complexity and diversity of the world through curves, folds, and interweaving forms, much in line with Deleuze's understanding of pleats.
Deeply influenced by Baroque art, Deleuze believed that the complexity and use of curves in Baroque art reflected the essential characteristics of the world, which was emphasized by his concept of pleats. Therefore, it can be said that Baroque art provided important inspiration and reference for Deleuze's pleat theory, helping him to understand the complexity and diversity of the world more deeply.
C. The concept of pleats
Deleuze's definition and meaning of pleats is multifaceted, including formal features, philosophical significance, and artistic expression. First of all, in terms of form, the pleat is understood as a kind of superposition and distortion of time and space, which can be curves, angles, or interlaced lines, representing the complexity and variability of the world.
Secondly, in a philosophical sense, pleats represent the diversity and difference of the world, each pleat is unique and complex, and they are interrelated to each other through pleats and connections, constituting the rich diversity of the world. Finally, in terms of artistic expression, the pleats give the film more diverse dimensions and interpretation possibilities, and expand the expressiveness and meaning of film art. Through an in-depth understanding of the concept of pleats, film artists can express their thoughts and emotions more freely, while also enriching the audience's understanding and appreciation of films.
III. The Symbolism of the Pleats
A. Differences coexist
In Deleuze's concept of pleats, the coexistence of differences is a central concept. The pleats symbolize the diversity and difference of the world, and this diversity is not simply separation and opposition, but a state of coexistence of differences. In Deleuze's theory, pleats do not exist in isolation, but are intertwined and symbiotic. This coexistence of differences reflects the complexity and diversity of the world, where each pleat is unique and complex, and they are interconnected through pleats and connections that make up the rich diversity of the world.
In the art of cinema, the idea of the coexistence of differences is also reflected. As an art form, film brings together different elements from different cultures, different regions, and different eras. These elements of difference are intertwined and fused in the film, and together they form a rich and colorful film world. For example, a film may incorporate different cultural backgrounds, different artistic styles, and different narrative styles, and these different elements interact and influence each other to create the unique charm and magic of the film.
B. Universal harmony
The concept of pleats also symbolizes the fusion of universal harmony and diversity. In Deleuze's theory, pleats represent the diversity and complexity of the world, each pleat is unique and complex, and they are interrelated to each other through pleats and connections, constituting the rich diversity of the world. However, despite the world's differences and changes, behind this diversity, there is a universal harmony. The interweaving and superimposition of pleats not only reveal the complexity of the world, but also reflect the unity and wholeness of the world.
In the art of cinema, the universal harmony of pleats means that cinema as an art form has universal value and significance. Although the works of cinema are different, they all reflect the shared emotions and values of humanity through their expression and interpretation of the world. Whether it is a film from different countries and different cultural backgrounds, or a film of different genres and styles, they all together constitute the rich diversity of film art, and at the same time convey universal human emotions and ideas, making film a common language that transcends national boundaries and cultures.
C. Rotation overlap
The concept of pleats also embodies circularity and rotational overlapping. In Deleuze's theory, pleats are not only a static existence, but also a dynamic process. The formation and change of pleats is a process of continuous rotation and overlapping, constantly repeating and circulating in time and space. This circularity and overlapping characteristics make the world present endless possibilities and changes, and at the same time, it also reflects the continuity and integrity of the world.
In film art, the characteristics of circularity and rotation are often reflected in the narrative structure and thematic expression of films. Many films create a cyclical narrative rhythm and emotional tension through narrative backtracking, interspersing and repetition. At the same time, some films also express the continuity and wholeness of the world through the rotation and overlapping of themes and imagery. For example, a film that explores the fate of mankind and the proposition of history may emphasize the continuity and wholeness of human destiny through the cross-narrative of different time periods and the retrospective echo of imagery, thus deepening the theme connotation and viewing effect of the film.
IV. Application of the Pleat Concept to Film Theory
A. The folds of the narrative of time and space
Deleuze's concept of pleats has had a profound impact on the narrative structure of cinema in time and space. Traditional films tend to use a linear narrative structure to show the storyline in chronological order, but in Deleuze's theory, time and space are not simply linear sequences, but are composed of various intertwined and superimposed folds. Therefore, filmmakers can create a more complex and rich narrative structure by introducing non-linear narrative techniques to interweave different time points and different spatial scenes.
This fold of time-space narrative is presented in the film, often as a fracture, backtrack, and overlap of time. For example, the movie "Inception" adopts a narrative structure of multiple time levels, interweaving the protagonist's experiences in the real world and dreams, so that the audience constantly shuttles between different time and space during the viewing process, and experiences the fold effect of time and space narrative. This non-linear narrative structure not only increases the enjoyment and interest of the film, but also deepens the theme and connotation of the film, and guides the audience to interpret and understand the story in multiple ways.
B. Audiovisual pleats
The audiovisual expression of the concept of pleats in the language of cinema is reflected in the processing of images and sounds. As an audio-visual art, film expresses stories and emotions through the fusion of image and sound, and the concept of pleats provides rich possibilities for the innovation of film language.
Visually, the film can create a visual pleat effect through technical means such as the movement of the camera, the technique of editing, and the superposition of the picture. For example, in the film "Infernal Affairs", fast editing and quick camera switching are used to create a tense, fast-paced visual effect, making the audience feel as if they are in the intricacies of the plot and experience the tension and charm of the audio-visual folds.
Aurally, the film can create an aural pleats effect through the mixing, overlapping, and fading of sounds. For example, the movie "The Dark Knight" uses multiple audio tracks and surround sound effects, so that the audience is immersed in the scene, and the sense of sound is layered and spacious, which enhances the atmosphere and viewing effect of the movie.
C. Pleats for the viewer experience
The pleats concept has changed the way audiences experience and understand the film. Traditional films tend to present linear storylines and simple expressions, but the concept of pleats introduces more complexity and diversity, allowing the audience to participate more deeply in the story and feel richer emotions and experiences during the viewing process.
When the audience experiences the film, they are no longer limited to passively accepting the storyline, but can participate in the construction and deconstruction of the story. By interpreting and understanding the folds of the time-space narrative in the film, the audience can discover the deeper themes and meanings behind the story, thereby improving the aesthetic and understanding of the film. At the same time, the expression of audio-visual pleats also makes the audience more colorful when perceiving the movie, which increases the fun and interest of watching the movie.
V. Expansion and Challenges of the Pleats Concept
A. Application in Artistic Practice
The concept of pleats has been widely applied and developed in contemporary art practice. In addition to the field of film, the concept of pleats has also penetrated into many other art forms, such as painting, photography, literature, dance, etc., providing new ways of expression and thinking for art creators.
In the field of painting, artists create a visual pleat effect through the overlapping of colors, lines and forms. Abstract Expressionist artist Jackson Pollock's dripping paintings, for example, show a kind of wrinkle-like visual effect, allowing the viewer to feel the interweaving and surging of time and space in front of the work.
In the field of photography, artists use multiple exposures, depth of field synthesis and other technical means to interweave images of different times and different spaces to create a visual pleat effect. For example, photographer David Hockney's collage photographs present an intricate structure of folds that intersect time and space, leading the viewer into a visual space full of imagination and exploration.
In the field of literature, writers create a literary pleat effect by breaking and reconstructing the narrative structure. Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey, for example, uses multiple narrative perspectives and interlaced time layers to give the storyline a fold-like complexity and richness.
In the field of dance, the dancers create the effect of pleats on the dance through the dynamic changes of the body and the distortion of space. For example, the works of modern dancer Mel Krauss show a fusion and collision of body and space, so that the viewer feels a fold-like body perception and emotional experience in the dance.
B. Theoretical Challenges and Reflections
Although the concept of pleats provides a new framework of thinking and expression for film theory, it also faces many challenges and controversies in practice.
First of all, the complexity and abstraction of the concept of pleats make it difficult to interpret and apply in theory. Filmmakers need to accurately grasp the folded structure of the narrative in time and space during the creative process, avoid overly complex or confusing narrative effects, and ensure that the audience can understand and accept the storyline.
Secondly, the application of the concept of pleats can easily lead to the trap of formalism. While pursuing audio-visual effects, film creators also need to pay attention to the emotional expression and theme elaboration of the story, and avoid empty formal expression, which makes the film lose its intrinsic meaning and value.
Thirdly, the application of the pleat concept can easily lead to an overload of the audience's cognition. Overly complex spatio-temporal narrative structures and audio-visual expressions may make the audience feel confused and tired, reducing the pleasure and experience of watching the movie.
Finally, the application of the pleat concept also faces the limitations of aesthetic taste. Different audiences have different aesthetic standards and tastes for films, and the concept of pleats is not applicable to all types of films, and some audiences may find it difficult to accept and understand overly complex or abstract narrative structures.
VI. Conclusion
This paper provides an in-depth discussion and analysis of the concept of pleats in Deleuze's film theory. First, we review the theoretical origin and basic connotation of the concept of pleats, and understand its significance in film theory. Secondly, through the analysis of the application of the concept of pleats in film narrative, audio-visual expression and viewing experience, we realize that the concept of pleats provides a new thinking framework and expression mode for film creation, and enriches the form and connotation of films. Finally, we analyze the application and development of the concept of pleats in contemporary art practice, and discuss its expression and artistic effects in the fields of painting, photography, literature, and dance.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
Buchanan, Ian. Deleuze and Guattari's Anti-Oedipus: Introduction to Schizoanalysis. Continuum International Publishing Group, 2008.
Wartenberg, Thomas E. Thinking on Screen: Film as Philosophy. Routledge, 2007.
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