BLURRED VISION

WHEN THINKING ABOUT THE CAMERA OBSCURA, A TOOL USED BY HISTORICAL FIGURES TO CAPTURE REALITY, I’M LEFT QUESTIONING: WERE THESE INDIVIDUALS ARTISTS, AS I DEFINE THEM—FRAMING A PERSPECTIVE THROUGH THEIR MEDIUM TO COMMUNICATE IDEAS? OR WERE THEY MORE LIKE CREATIVE ENGINEERS, MASTERFULLY EMPLOYING INNOVATIVE TOOLS TO ACCOMPLISH A TECHNICAL FEAT?

THE DISTINCTION FEELS UNCERTAIN. WHILE THEIR WORK REQUIRED TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, DOES IT ALSO REFLECT THE INTENT TO FRAME A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE, OR WAS IT PRIMARILY AN ACT OF CAPTURING? THIS QUESTION CHALLENGES HOW WE DEFINE THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN ARTISTRY AND INGENUITY.