Olga R Ziangirova
 
 
 

SPATIAL PERCEPTIONS AND MODELS 
IN AUTHENTIC CULTURES AND NEW MEDIA.
 


 
 
 

Introduction.
 
 
 
 

Spatial perception in a net "work".
 

While using the Internet, we are naturally keeping in mind the spatial 

scales of this communication media. The involvement of a "spatial" 

awareness can not be abandoned, while we are "pushing out" another 

web page form the World Wide Web, containing in it an information, 

which has been produced somewhere far away on another continent. 
 
 

It is a phenomena of the direct and flexible spatial communication, 

the case, when not you, who are proposed to use for the 

communication this or that geographical or topographic area, as in 

the case, when you are using the conventional media, but you, 

yourself is making your own choice and virtually "moving" through 

different zones and interacting with them.
 

While doing that, you can, in a particular extent, choose as well the 

quality and quantity of information, which you are going to precept.

In any case, we , in most of the cases, are aware, how far away the 

informational source is, and where is placed a server, which contains 

this particular data.
 

This spatial and informational shift in perception of spatially 

distanced objects is being definitely recognized by our conscious or 

at least, unconscious mind. That means, at a particular extent, some 

new perception reactions are being switched on, and some 

functional zones of the brain are being activated. 
 

And subconsciously, the feeling of overcoming of a long distances is 

being invoked. Receiving text from the networks, hypothetically we 

are moving on a bigger distance, then a distance to the bookshelf, 

from which we could have taken this or that book or magazine.
 

Definitely, it brings particular impact on the neuron networks 

of our brain and nervous system operations

Such perception scaling is increasing due to the interaction

with hypothetical macro cyberspace, from which 
the information is being received.
 

May be, "pulling" of information out of the cyberspace includes the 

efforts on its "overcoming." In fact, particular involvement of 

a spatial perception might be supported by any other type of media 

transmission. 

In the case of Internet communication,
the possibilities of choice in virtual movement
and its trajectory is switching on as well 
the other type of perceptional and reflective impulses.
 
 

Neuropsychological aspects of spatial perception.
 

According to the recent researches,  the harmonious development of 

spatial notions and perceptions is specially important not only for the 

collective cultural growth, but as well, for the personal human's 

development.
 

They are one of the first, which we are receiving after our birth. 

In the beginning of our life we are existing outside the the collective 

system of symbols and language. Space and its elements are the main 

areas for communicating and overcoming.

It ia the first "communication" with the outer world, 

which is shaping our character and the world vision.
 

Normative neuropathology was associating the spatial and

imaginary perception with the right brain activity, while the reflective 

thinking processes were associated with the actualization of the left 

brain. The latest theories and practical neuropsychological 

experiments had proved, that the right brain is constantly important 

not only for the imaginary perception of the information, but for the 

reflecting of it as well. It is specially important for "scaling" all type 

the information and not only the imaginary one. 
 
 

Along with the imaginary perception,
it also supports the processes of its structuring and analyzing 
of the structure, the abilities for understanding the relations
between the structure and its details, for ordering of the both

and so-called general perception of the things and events.
Spatial notions and perceptions are important not only for 

the collective cultural grouth, but as well for

the personalhuman 's development .
 
 

They are one of the first, which we are receiving after our birth.

In the beginning of our lifes we are existing outside the the collective

system of symbols and language. Space and its elements are

the main areas for communicating and overcoming It ia the

first "communication" which is shaping our character and

the world vision. According to researches in the area 

of psychoneurology spatial perception changes according 

to the type of the deseases. The comparative analyses of 

the drawings done by chidlren with different neuropathologies

the images proves this.
 
 

Handicapt children with the right- brain neuropathologies 

are unable to organise the space of a drawing, to put the objects

into order or to regulate them .
 
 

Their drawings are disordered and chaotical,or too symplifyed.

They are unable to reproduce the egual forms,keep the wright 

scale of the picture and its details, to follow 

the structure of an image.

The same symptoms are represented in their behaviour 

and movements through the space.
 
 

That means, the right brain also provides the abilities of

discriminating between basic things and secondary.
 

Previously, it was related to some rudimentary process in our neuron 

system, as well, as with some archaic background of the humanity, 

something unnecessary and dark. But in fact, the spatial perception 

has been playing an important part in the general formation of the 

humane intelligence, and as well its reflective functions. 
 

Since the humane pasts, spatial interaction and perception has been 

supporting the most important impulses, which were moving forward 

the cultural development of different civilizations.
 
 

Spatial notions and perceptions in authentic cultures.
 

Spatial notions are considered to be the basic humane notions 

through the whole civilization history. In most of authentic cultures 

special traditional methods have been worked out by many 

generations, aiming to protect symbolically, the humans from the 

inner and outer destructive forces and natural collimates. They were 

based on the special relationships with nature and on very precise 

ways of perception and organizing of the environment. 
 

These ancient anti entropy measures and methods are manifested in 

the ancient cultural artifacts of different traditions. Their decorative 

elements were having an additional symbolical functions, and were 

aimed to harmonize personal, collective and natural environments. 

It was an evolutionary developed symbolical language, which was 

used for communicating with the outer world and its elements.

It was not just the language of "order", or the violent shaping 

methods. May be, more or less, it was the way and the language of 

respectful communication with the matter itself and 
the method of shaping the inner and outer environments,
according to their own laws, structures, their ordered 
and harmonized aspects.
 

According to the tradition, applied artists and architects, being in 

correspondence with such an essential environmental vision, were 

associating their work with the activity of the creative and ordering 

universal forces.
 

May be, because of this, the ancient cultural inheritance, especially its 

artifacts, are so attractive and inspiring, comparing to particular

de-humanized and symbolic - less, in - significant artificial cultural 

landscapes and objects of the present time. 
 

In spite of the fact, that these ancient cultural visions were specifically 

mythological, and were not equipped too much by scientific and 

technological methodologies 

and tools, they were connected, in a true way, with the essential 

aspects of the evolutionary developed matter and existence, with the 

intuitive and perceptional dimensions of the humane nature.
 
 
 

Inside and outside the cyber -"space".
 

When we are inside the virtual cyberspace, it does not mean, we are 

interacting with something imaginary or illusory. In most of the cases, 

we are quite aware, that through the WWW, we are interacting with 

real distances, spaces and lands.
 

In fact, with our mind we are really "going through" the places and 

lands. This network spatial "cyber- exercising" can be used, as an 

exercise of imaginary moving through the space and corresponding

yourself, your own individual environment with the global one. This

"exercise" might stimulate particular brain zones, related to a spatial 

perception, but the success of such an exercise definitely depends on 

the intentions and personal qualities of the "user".
 

Such an extra involvement into the active processes of spatial 

perception during the "net-work", is as well corresponded with our 

neuron's network. Both of the networks have similar structural 

principles and the basics of their organization.

For understanding this, it is important to stress out, 
that the processes of distribution of energy and information
are basically organized in a hierarchical order, essentially suitable
for this particular system.

In any case, for many of the modern recipients of  information, 

who  in some of the cases, are  trapped by rather "private" 

ways of spatial perception,  could be nice to have sometimes some 

positive and concient travels through the "world wide " space.
 

May be, it will happen once, 

that the activated "rudimental" spatial perception, will be able to 

solve, as well, some actual problems of the present day.

 This will happen, if a modern  way of concentration on the global 

environment, or on  the "universal" one,   in its attitudes will be  really 

resembling some of the healthy ancient authentic cultural practices and 

"world visions".
 
 

Spatial models in authentic artifacts.
 

In general, the ways of spatial perception in of authentic cultures was 

different, than the contemporary one.The correspondence with the 

environment was specially important, and respectful relation with it, 

was one of the main necessary things in the hard conditions of 

existing inside the natural environment.
 

That's why, most of cultural artifacts, which were created during the 

particular civilization stages, have been shaped as a micro-cosmic 

models, imitating the universal space construction. They were 

constructed as smaller models of environment, in order to interact 

with the global one.
 

These artifacts were including, manifesting, resembling, the same with 

outer environment, structural principles, temporal and spatial 

dimensions. These principles and dimensions were included into the 

ornamental decoration and were supporting the inner concentration 

of their owners and "users" on the principles of order in the essential 

construction of the universe. 
 

Such an artifact, whether it was a pot, a musical instrument, dwelling 

or a temple, icon or a carpet, has been working itself, as a 

communicative space, as well as a spatial "harmonizing", ordering 

agent and mediator, which was invoking the feelings of harmony and 

essential eternal order of the outer world and existence.
 
 
 

The concentration on the universal structures, was supposed to be 

resonating with the inner space of an individual, to welcome into his 

life the same principles of order and harmony. Along with this, to 

prevent the outer entropy of the natural forces, catastrophes inside 

the natural environment, and may be, to overcome the inner processes 

of entropy inside the humane mind.
 

Such rather ordinary objects, which were symbolizing the ordered 

and harmonized world, functionally,  could be compared to 

a kind of symbolic "computers", which have been helping their owners 

to communicate and to be in a correspondence with surrounding 

natural environment and the outer world.
 

It makes clear, why, the ornamentation and decoration of particular 

artifacts are so similar in different areas and cultural traditions and, 

why it has such an obvious basic structural similarity.

If we will look at some simple artifacts, decorated with the same 

axes, crosses, circles, rhythmic structures, spirals, squatters and 

other so called "archetypal" forms. 

In fact, this structures and ornaments were not so much having just 

a decorative function, but first of all, were intending to prevent

the negative influences and the processes of entropy inside and 

outside personal and natural environment, in the mythological 

interpretation,

to take away, contro force or put into harmoniouce balance 

the influences of "evil forces".
 
 

Authentic cultural predicates, modern art and technological 

revolution in the beginning of 20th century.
 

Abstract geometrical structures in the basis of an ancient artifacts, 

were inspiring the pioneers of modernism, and, in fact, have pushed 

forward the vanguard movements in the beginning of the twentieth 

century and inspired the first abstractionists.
 

Sometimes, the routes of abstractionist revolution and the reasons 

for general change of artistic spatial expression in early twentieths is 

associated only with the technological development. In fact, 

it is not remembered enough about some other important dominant 

impulses, which have been giving birth to contemporary culture.
 

This hidden force, which was pushing forward vanguard movements, 

paradoxically, were contained within the authentic art inheritance, 

ancient artifacts and antiquities.

It is well known, that early vanguard artists were collecting and 

imitating authentic artifacts, some were experimenting with shapes of 

tribal objects, some,  - "deconstructing" traditional iconography and 

applied art.
 
 

It is also known, that this fashion has been widely spread in Europe 

and in Russia, and radically stimulated the art experiments of 

Picasso, waked up modernism's pioneers - Goncharova and 

Larionov, and has been one of the basic areas for experimenting for 

such famous artists as Malevich and Candinskyi.
 
 

"A search for the structure" was one of the most important for 

different cultural and scientific areas of that period. It has been 

manifested in the the issues of structuralists and the research works 

in the areas of linguistics, anthropology and ethnography. 
 

It was quite a general cultural process, which was based on the 

attempt to bring to the modern awareness past time cultural 

inheritance, and at the same time, to withdraw from it.

The second, rather formal neglecting part of this process was 

achieved quite successfully, and gave the birth to different radical 

vanguards movements.

But the first - reflective one, at that time,

it seems, has not been completed enough.
 

Filtered and simplified old cultural inheritance, has become the 

basis for the new modern visual culture. Lacking necessary 

reflections, and aesthetically dried, it had lost the main basic 

traditional connotations and symbolical meanings, which were 

protecting and ordering the life and development of the ancestors.
 

On the other hand, an intensive concentration on the basic spatial 

structures of the authentic art, had helped, in the beginning the 20th 

century, to break through the traps of realistic forms and material 

objects, and has opened art and culture to new, multi-dimensional 

perceptions.
 

The same cultural tendencies have left their traces in mathematical 

and logical fields of science, and later, gave the birth to 

the applied linguistics and the computer sciences, had started the new 

wave of technological development, and advanced computer 

technologies.
 

Unfortunately, till nowadays, to a particular extent, some of these cultural

technological processes are based on the same, pragmatically 

simplified intentions and "narrow", flat spatial/world visions and 

perceptions.
 
 

NE XT