Spatial Aspects of Graphological Expression

Abstract

The spatial character of a piece of writing or reading is perceptually twofold. Writing and reading establish a close bodily and mental relation between a writer or reader and the surface on which letters are formed. This relation involves two different attitudes. Attitude I, an orthographic relationship to letters, is dominated by vision and evokes a sense of rising and conquering or its opposite, stability. Attitude II, a horizontal relationship, is dominated by action and evokes the senses of near and far, outgoing and withholding, active and passive. In the process of writing or reading the attitudes fuse, combining a detached self with a self that actively engages in reaching a goal.