Art Exists Because the Viewer Exists How François Morellet’s Triple X Neonly Influences Postural Control and Subjective Aesthetic Appreciation
Ward LM., Morize A., Vernet M., Antoniades C., Kapoula Z.
The authors study the effects of viewing François Morellet’s Triple X Neonly (2012) on postural control and subjective appreciation. Participants were asked to view monocularly and binocularly. Their average forward-backward (anteroposterior) body sway root mean square (rms) velocity was significantly greater viewing it monocularly. Participants showed diverse reactions to the artwork, yet comments mainly concerned apparent movement and depth. The authors conclude that binocular viewing facilitates viewer appreciation of the proximity of the central X, thus requiring less energy to keep the body stable. This study confirms the artist’s success in involving viewers actively in their aesthetic experience through their eye and body movements.