Spectators and Spectacle in Quintus’ Posthomerica

Quintus’ literary reputation is on the rise, in the wake of a general reappreciation of late antique literature. In my article I discuss Quintus’ use of embedded focalization: when we look at events through the eyes of one of the characters. Quintus uses this narrative device both in the same way as Homer, but also in original new ways. One such new way is the serial use of embedded focalization at the moment of arrival of a champion. The ample use of embedded focalization can be added to the list of stylistic features which contribute to the well-known visual aesthetics of late antique poetry, such as ekphrasis, miniaturization, enumeration, and the juxtaposition of episodic scenes. But I also argue that Quintus through the ubiquitous presence of spectators frames the action of his story as a spectacle, a race or gladiatorial show, which gods and characters and hence his narratees, watch as if sitting in an amphitheatre or circus.

Analysis of the Window Views of the Nearby Façades

The view from the window is an important parameter of living comfort. Previous studies have defined several important characteristics of views, but there are very few studies that addressed window views in dense urban environments and their influence on the perceptual elements of the view. The scope of the study was to define the influence of design elements in window views that can trigger negative reactions from viewers. In our study the questionnaire survey was used as a method for obtaining the research data. A group of architecture students who participated as respondents selected different reactions to views and reasons for such responses. Only the window views that received poor responses were further investigated. The results were statistically analyzed according to the most frequent responses and the variability of responses. The homogeneity of the groups of responses as well as the groups of reasons was tested using the Fischer-Snedercor test. The analysis showed that the negative response to a window view depends not only on the short distance between the buildings, but also on the visual aesthetics, especially the composition quality, the surface characteristics and the maintenance of the observed building. The results show that interventions, especially natural elements such as vegetation, can increase the dynamics of the window view.

A Participatory Assessment of Perceived Neighbourhood Walkability in a Small Urban Environment

Walkability has become a research topic of great concern for preserving public health, especially in the era of the COVID-19 outbreak. Today more than ever, urban and transport policies, constrained by social distancing measures and travel restrictions, must be conceptualized and implemented with a particular emphasis on sustainable walkability. Most of the walkability models apply observation and subjective methods to measure walkability, whereas few studies address walkability based on sense perception. To fill this gap, we aim at investigating the perceived neighbourhood walkability (PNW) based on sense perception in a neighbourhood of Brussels. We designed a survey that integrates 22 items grouped into 5 dimensions (cleanness, visual aesthetics, landscape and nature, feeling of pressure, feeling of safety), as well as the socio-demographic attributes of the participants. Using various statistical methods, we show that socio-demographics have almost no effects on perceived neighbourhood walkability. Nonetheless, we found significant differences between groups of different educational backgrounds. Furthermore, using a binomial regression model, we found strong associations between PNW and at least one item from each grouping dimension. Finally, we show that based on a deep neural network for classification, the items have good predictive capabilities (78% of classification accuracy). These findings can help integrate sense perception into objective measurement methods of walkable environments. Additionally, policy recommendations should be targeted based on differences of perception across socio-demographic groups.

Development of empirically based customer-derived positioning taxonomy for consumer electronics sector in the Indian emerging market

PurposeAn Indian emerging market positioning taxonomy has been developed in response to the literature review's findings that existing positioning typologies/taxonomies are based on managerial perspectives rather than consumer/customer perceptions and are only developed for advanced countries.Design/methodology/approachThis study employs a three-step process for developing and validating a scale in order to conduct its research. In the first phase, items are generated and selected based on a literature review, focus groups and expert opinion. Exploratory factor analysis is used to fine-tune the scale in the second phase. Phase 3 uses CFA to establish convergent, discriminant and nomological validity through the use of CFA.FindingsA consumer-based taxonomy of positioning strategies were developed as a result of the research. Six distinct positioning strategies emerged that was named (1) Value for Money, (2) Functional (3) Premiumisation, (4) Promotional Campaign, (5) Brand Name (6) Visual Aesthetics.Research limitations/implicationsDeveloping and validating measurement scales will be made easier with the help of this paper. Target populations, industry and geography selection and a cross-sectional time horizon are just a few of the study's drawbacks.Practical implicationsThe study's practical implications include six factors/strategies that managers, advertising executives and marketing experts of consumer electronics companies in the Indian emerging market could use to position their products, resulting in the overall success of their organisations.Originality/valueThis study adds to the marketing literature by providing a solid theoretical foundation and a validated instrument for operationalising positioning strategies.

What is visual Vaporwave? Vaporwave arts and their history and position in China

By Vaporwave we refer to a digital-born electronic music genre and a trend in visual aesthetics. It emerged in some US-based online communities in the early 2010s, and now its visual expressions are in vogue in Chinese visual media context. In this article, Vaporwave’s aesthetics are discussed through three stages of analysis. In the first part, the paper outlines relevant theories and general features of Vaporwave’s (both visual and musical) aesthetics; next, the paper focuses on Vaporwave's visual characteristics, and, to provide a deeper understanding of its visual aesthetics, I discuss a school of painting derived from early twentieth-century Italy—Metaphysical art. In the second part, the article discusses why and how vaporwave aesthetics are inseparable from some Japanese visual characteristics and how it is represented in China, with particular reference to examples of Japanese comics from the 1980s/early 1990s and one popular Chinese video-focused social media TikTok in recent years. In the third part, the article focuses on illustrating Vaporwave's visual features in the Chinese context in recent years, and several examples are provided.

Aesthetics of Home. Continuity and Variation in New Zealand Medium Density Housing

<p>In New Zealand, most people do not find Medium Density housing (MDH) visually appealing. In October 2017, BRANZ carried out a survey on the different attitudes New Zealanders have towards MDH. This study concluded that the visual aesthetics is one of the top issues in shifting the acceptance of MDH within New Zealand. (BRANZ, 2017. p.2) Additionally in an attempt to house many people quickly, there have been growing concerns around the quality of the aesthetic output. (Howden-Chapman, 2015. p.80) This negative attitude towards MDH has fuelled the ever growing housing crisis. This thesis proposes that improved aesthetic qualities can be achieved within a high density multiple housing project. It argues that identifying and analysing the current aesthetic issues connected with existing MDH in New Zealand, will create a starting point for further design-led research. From this critique, this thesis aims to design a viable alternative to the current New Zealand approach to MDH. This design will aim to model varied aesthetic qualities and to identify key strategies for potential application in other projects. Research will occur through an extended series of different design-led research projects. Initially a quick fire design exercise in parallel with initial background research around the field of MDH and aesthetics will form the basis to begin from. Self and peer reflection will follow to inform the iterative research, extracting the key issues emerging from the research. Both research for design (theories and precedents), and researching through a series of iterative design projects occur. These two integrated research methods will be repeated in cycles throughout the year to keep the research current throughout the process and develop its depth.</p>

Aesthetics of Home. Continuity and Variation in New Zealand Medium Density Housing

<p>In New Zealand, most people do not find Medium Density housing (MDH) visually appealing. In October 2017, BRANZ carried out a survey on the different attitudes New Zealanders have towards MDH. This study concluded that the visual aesthetics is one of the top issues in shifting the acceptance of MDH within New Zealand. (BRANZ, 2017. p.2) Additionally in an attempt to house many people quickly, there have been growing concerns around the quality of the aesthetic output. (Howden-Chapman, 2015. p.80) This negative attitude towards MDH has fuelled the ever growing housing crisis. This thesis proposes that improved aesthetic qualities can be achieved within a high density multiple housing project. It argues that identifying and analysing the current aesthetic issues connected with existing MDH in New Zealand, will create a starting point for further design-led research. From this critique, this thesis aims to design a viable alternative to the current New Zealand approach to MDH. This design will aim to model varied aesthetic qualities and to identify key strategies for potential application in other projects. Research will occur through an extended series of different design-led research projects. Initially a quick fire design exercise in parallel with initial background research around the field of MDH and aesthetics will form the basis to begin from. Self and peer reflection will follow to inform the iterative research, extracting the key issues emerging from the research. Both research for design (theories and precedents), and researching through a series of iterative design projects occur. These two integrated research methods will be repeated in cycles throughout the year to keep the research current throughout the process and develop its depth.</p>

An Early Framework for a Cognitive Neuroscience of Visual Aesthetics

In the early 2000s, no framework within which to investigate the biology of aesthetics had been articulated. The author believes that a componential framework, as was common in cognitive psychology, applied to neuroaesthetics made sense. Such frameworks were commonly applied to complex cognitive domains, such as in language, emotion processing, or visual processing research. As such, the author proposes a “box and arrow” model which incorporated levels of visual processing, emotions, attention, and decision-making. The advantage of such a framework is that specific experiments could be placed in the context of testing hypotheses of parts of a larger system deployed for aesthetic processing. The framework has held up well over the years, although the author believes he did not sufficiently emphasize the role of the motor system and the rich contribution of semantics in aesthetic experiences.

Mapping of Livability Assessment in Recreational Public Space: A Case Study of Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, Kuala Lumpur

Livability and recreational spaces are considered important aspects of urban life. However, there appears to be a knowledge gap in the current field of study of livability, which is the absence of an assessment criteria that can be used to assess/evaluate livability specifically for recreational public spaces. This research aims to address this knowledge gap by devising a custom assessment criteria that can be used to assess livability for a recreational public space and applying it to the selected case study of Titiwangsa Lake Gardens, a popular recreational park in Kuala Lumpur. The custom livability assessment criteria is used through an online questionnaire that serves to gauge the park users’ satisfaction towards livability qualities and was able determine that Titiwangsa Lake Gardens can in fact be considered as a livable recreational public space because the assessment revealed that the majority of qualities exhibited by the park is contributing positively to its livability. This research has also identified ‘comfort’ and ‘visual aesthetics’ as two of the most important aspects of recreational space design for livability suggests reasons for this. The custom livability assessment criteria for recreational public space devised through this research serves to contribute to the field of livability studies and can be used as a guide or reference for better planning, management, and design of recreational public spaces in the future.