Defamiliarization

Defamiliarization, also known as estrangement or ostranenie in Russian, is a literary and artistic technique that involves presenting ordinary and familiar elements in a way that makes them appear strange, unfamiliar, or new to the reader or viewer. The goal is to disrupt habitual perception and encourage a deeper engagement with the subject matter.

Viktor Shklovsky, a key figure in the Russian Formalist literary movement of the early 20th century, introduced the concept of defamiliarization in his essay “Art as Technique” (also known as “Art as Device”). He argued that art’s purpose is to reawaken our perception by presenting the world in a way that requires active mental engagement.

Origins of Defamiliarization

The concept of defamiliarization emerged as part of the Russian Formalist movement, which sought to analyze and understand the underlying structures and techniques of literature and art. Shklovsky’s work was instrumental in challenging conventional literary practices and exploring the role of artistic techniques in shaping our perceptions.

In “Art as Technique,” Shklovsky used the example of Tolstoy’s writing to illustrate defamiliarization. He argued that Tolstoy’s descriptions of familiar objects, such as a horse, were presented in a way that made the horse appear unfamiliar, leading readers to see it with fresh eyes.

Key Principles of Defamiliarization

Defamiliarization involves several key principles:

1. Making the Familiar Unfamiliar:

The primary objective of defamiliarization is to transform the familiar into something unfamiliar or strange. This can be achieved through various artistic techniques, such as vivid and unconventional descriptions, altering perspective, or using language in novel ways.

2. Heightening Perceptual Awareness:

By presenting the familiar in an unexpected or unusual manner, defamiliarization forces the audience to pay closer attention to details and engage their cognitive faculties. This heightened awareness can lead to a deeper and more profound understanding of the subject.

3. Challenging Habitual Perception:

Defamiliarization disrupts the automatic and habitual ways in which we perceive the world. It encourages us to question our preconceived notions and see things from alternative perspectives.

4. Encouraging Active Engagement:

The process of defamiliarization requires active mental engagement from the audience. Instead of passively consuming content, readers or viewers are prompted to actively interpret and reinterpret the subject matter.

Artistic Applications of Defamiliarization

Defamiliarization is a versatile technique that has been applied across various art forms, including literature, visual arts, film, and poetry. Here are some examples of how it is used in different artistic contexts:

1. Literature:

Literary works often employ defamiliarization through unique descriptions, metaphors, and narrative techniques. Authors use language to challenge conventional ways of perceiving everyday objects and experiences.
In Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis,” the transformation of the protagonist into a giant insect defamiliarizes the human experience, allowing readers to see the isolation and absurdity of human existence in a new light.

2. Visual Arts:

Visual artists frequently use defamiliarization to offer fresh perspectives on common subjects. For example, Salvador Dalí’s surrealistic paintings challenge viewers’ perceptions of reality by presenting familiar objects in bizarre and dreamlike contexts.
In Picasso’s “Guernica,” the fragmented and distorted depiction of the bombing’s aftermath defamiliarizes the horrors of war, evoking a powerful emotional response.

3. Film:

Filmmakers employ defamiliarization through cinematography, editing, and narrative techniques. This can involve altering the visual or temporal aspects of a scene to create an uncanny or unfamiliar atmosphere.
In Stanley Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange,” the use of unsettling visuals and unconventional narrative structure defamiliarizes the portrayal of violence and societal control.

4. Poetry:

Poets use defamiliarization to transform everyday language into a source of wonder and contemplation. They may play with the sounds, rhythms, and meanings of words to create a sense of freshness and surprise.
E.E. Cummings’ poem “r-p-o-p-h-e-s-s-a-g-r” defamiliarizes the word “grasshopper” by breaking it into its constituent parts and rearranging them, challenging the reader’s expectations and perception.

Implications and Benefits of Defamiliarization

Defamiliarization has several important implications and benefits:

1. Enhanced Perception:

Defamiliarization encourages individuals to see the world in new ways, fostering a more profound and nuanced perception of everyday objects and experiences.

2. Cognitive Engagement:

By requiring active mental engagement, defamiliarization stimulates cognitive processes, such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.

3. Artistic Innovation:

Defamiliarization is a driving force behind artistic innovation. It challenges artists to experiment with new techniques and approaches, pushing the boundaries of creativity.

4. Emotional Impact:

The technique can evoke powerful emotional responses in audiences by presenting familiar themes or subjects in a novel and unexpected manner.

5. Reflection

and Insight:

Defamiliarization encourages individuals to reflect on their own habitual perceptions and assumptions, leading to insights about themselves and the world around them.

Critiques and Controversies

While defamiliarization is a widely celebrated technique, it is not without its critiques and controversies:

1. Accessibility:

Some argue that defamiliarization can make artistic works less accessible to a general audience, as it may require additional effort and cognitive engagement to understand and appreciate.

2. Overuse:

Critics caution against the overuse of defamiliarization, as it can become a predictable and repetitive artistic strategy if not employed thoughtfully.

3. Subjectivity:

The effectiveness of defamiliarization is subjective and varies from person to person. What one individual finds fresh and enlightening, another may find confusing or alienating.

4. Balance:

Artists must strike a balance between defamiliarization and familiarity. Overly abstract or unfamiliar works may risk alienating audiences, while those that are too familiar may fail to challenge perceptions.

Conclusion

Defamiliarization is a powerful artistic and literary technique that invites us to see the world anew by presenting the familiar in unexpected ways. It challenges our habitual perceptions, fosters cognitive engagement, and encourages deeper contemplation of the world around us. While it has been a cornerstone of artistic innovation and creativity for generations, defamiliarization remains a dynamic and evolving concept, offering endless opportunities for artists and creators to inspire fresh insights and appreciation of the world we inhabit. Whether in literature, visual arts, film, or poetry, defamiliarization continues to be a source of wonder and inspiration, inviting us to look at the familiar with fresh eyes and an open mind.

Key Points:

Definition: Defamiliarization, also known as ostranenie or estrangement, involves presenting ordinary elements in a way that makes them appear strange or unfamiliar to the audience, challenging habitual perception.
Origins: Viktor Shklovsky, a key figure in the Russian Formalist movement, introduced the concept of defamiliarization in his essay “Art as Technique,” arguing that art’s purpose is to reawaken perception by presenting the world in unfamiliar ways.
Principles: Defamiliarization involves making the familiar unfamiliar, heightening perceptual awareness, challenging habitual perception, and encouraging active engagement.
Artistic Applications: Defamiliarization is used in literature, visual arts, film, and poetry to offer fresh perspectives on common subjects, challenge conventional perceptions, and evoke emotional responses.
Implications and Benefits: Defamiliarization enhances perception, stimulates cognitive engagement, drives artistic innovation, evokes emotional impact, and fosters reflection and insight.
Critiques and Controversies: Defamiliarization may be criticized for its accessibility, potential for overuse, subjectivity, and the need to strike a balance between familiarity and novelty.
Conclusion: Defamiliarization is a powerful artistic technique that invites audiences to see the world in new ways, challenging preconceptions and fostering deeper engagement with art and literature. Despite critiques, defamiliarization remains a dynamic concept that continues to inspire creativity and innovation across various artistic disciplines.