Calvino’s Visibility

Using Dante’s Purgatorio, Calvino describes two types of the imaginative process: one that starts with the written word and arrives at a visual image, and the opposite, in which a visual image acquires form.  Calvino also identifies two tendencies of imagination: 1) as a communication with the world soul and 2) as an instrument of knowledge.   Calvino locates his own sensibilities in the second tendency of imagination and also says that his own writing process begins with a visual image, but the written word guides the story and the visual imagination is forced to tag along.

In his discussion on visibility, Calvino also outlines two options for the use of images in the 21^st century.  He says we can use old images in a new way, which will change their meaning, or we could wipe the slate clean and start from scratch.  This led me to contemplate films that are based on novels.  Specifically, the film/book combination of No Country for Old Men, written by Cormac McCarthy and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen.  The film follows the first imaginative process because it is guided by McCarthy’s written word.  The writing gives way to visual images which manifest themselves on screen.  However, I read the novel after seeing the film, so this process was reversed for me.  The visual images of the film acquired literary form as I read the book and thought of the film.  Although its hard to tell exactly how, my perception of the novel was definitely enhanced by the film.  The novel’s characters and events were clear in my mind’s eye as I read the book.

~ by jessewalker717 on February 25, 2011.