Realität eigener Gesetzlichkeit

English translation: [should respond to the] inherent laws/properties of its own medium

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Realität eigener Gesetzlichkeit
English translation:[should respond to the] inherent laws/properties of its own medium
Entered by: Helen Shiner

19:22 Apr 16, 2009
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Art, Arts & Crafts, Painting
German term or phrase: Realität eigener Gesetzlichkeit
This is from a monograph about an Austrian artist; the phrase in question appears within a section where he is discussing his techniques & methods. I'm experiencing a little brainblock in coming up with a nice artsy way of putting the sentence and any suggestions would be gladly appreciated.

Here's the context it appears within:

"Ein Bild soll stets Realität eigener Gesetzlichkeit sein. Nicht das real Dargestellte ist wichtig, sondern die ,Komposition’, das heißt die Gegenüberstellung von Flächen, Linien und Farben."

Thank you!
Julie Draper-Duruz
Local time: 06:17
[should respond to the] inherent laws/properties of its own medium
Explanation:
For my explanation, please see the discussion area.

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Note added at 12 hrs (2009-04-17 08:09:56 GMT) Post-grading
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Thanks for the points, Julie - glad to help.
Selected response from:

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:17
Grading comment
Hi Helen, thank you so much for your helpful suggestion; this works perfectly within the context of my translation. Have a wonderful day!

Best,
Julie
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +2reality of its own rule(s)
Bernhard Sulzer
4 +1[should respond to the] inherent laws/properties of its own medium
Helen Shiner
3 +1'(should) manifest its own inherent logic'
strongbow (X)
3a reality in its own right
Steffen Walter


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


16 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
a reality in its own right


Explanation:
A painting should always be [create] a reality in its own right.

See http://shortify.com/8809

Steffen Walter
Germany
Local time: 06:17
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
PRO pts in category: 31

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Helen Shiner: Sorry to disagree, but this really is not what is meant.
58 mins
  -> Thank you for enlightening me - good input in your answer.

agree  Stephen Reader: Agree but NB with the qualification following, 'i.e. a consequence/product of / one that arises out of... '
1 hr
  -> Yes, you are right.
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22 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +2
reality of its own rule(s)


Explanation:
"Ein Bild soll stets Realität eigener Gesetzlichkeit sein. Nicht das real Dargestellte ist wichtig, sondern die ,Komposition’, das heißt die Gegenüberstellung von Flächen, Linien und Farben."

A portait/painting should always express/follow (the reality) of its own rule(s).
Important is not what is actually shown but the 'composition', i.e. the juxtaposition of surfaces, lines, and colors.

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Note added at 26 mins (2009-04-16 19:49:09 GMT)
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or:
...should express its own reality.

corr.: a portrait/painting should always express/follow (the reality of) its own rule(s).


Bernhard Sulzer
United States
Local time: 01:17
Native speaker of: German
PRO pts in category: 32

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Helen Shiner: Agree that we have to move away from 'to be' in order to make sense of this, but I think we also have to replace 'reality' with some reference to inherent properties.
55 mins
  -> thanks for the discussion.

agree  Stephen Reader: Rephrase, & why not 'be' - ... should always be a reality that arises /a reality generated out of its own laws.
1 hr
  -> thank you, Stephen!

agree  Inge Meinzer
1 hr
  -> vielen Dank, Inge!
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2 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
'(should) manifest its own inherent logic'


Explanation:
Following Hellen's suggestions, this might be an alternative...

strongbow (X)
Local time: 05:17
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman, Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Stephen Reader: Again, with the author's own proviso/qualific'n, as, without, we could be talking Surrealism
49 mins
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
[should respond to the] inherent laws/properties of its own medium


Explanation:
For my explanation, please see the discussion area.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 12 hrs (2009-04-17 08:09:56 GMT) Post-grading
--------------------------------------------------

Thanks for the points, Julie - glad to help.

Helen Shiner
United Kingdom
Local time: 05:17
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 275
Grading comment
Hi Helen, thank you so much for your helpful suggestion; this works perfectly within the context of my translation. Have a wonderful day!

Best,
Julie

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Stephen Reader
38 mins
  -> Thanks, Stephen
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