Every so often, a literary theory reshapes the way we view art, literature, and even the mundane details of everyday life. Viktor Shklovsky’s famed essay, “Art as Technique,” is one such work. Written in 1917, this essay introduced a revolutionary idea that still resonates with artists, students, and academics alike—transforming how we approach and experience creative works.
At the heart of the essay lies the concept of “defamiliarization” (also known as “ostranenie”), a technique that reminds us art isn’t just about reflecting life but about reframing it. This blog explores Shklovsky’s insights, his essay’s influence across disciplines, and how understanding his ideas can enrich both artistic creation and appreciation.
What Is “Art as Technique” by Viktor Shklovsky?
To appreciate Shklovsky’s essay, it’s helpful to know a bit about its background. Viktor Shklovsky was a Russian literary theorist and a central figure of the Formalist movement. His work focused on breaking down the mechanics of literature and art, analyzing how their component parts function to affect audiences.
“Art as Technique” argues that art’s primary role is to make us see the world through fresh eyes. Too often, our daily experiences become so habitual that we lose the ability to truly see them. Art, according to Shklovsky, disrupts this autopilot mode, forcing us to notice the beauty, complexity, and strangeness of reality. Central to this process is the method of “defamiliarization.”
What Is Defamiliarization?
Shklovsky defined defamiliarization as the process where art presents ordinary things in ways that feel strange, unfamiliar, or even extraordinary. By disrupting our expectations, it removes the veil of routine from familiar objects or experiences, encouraging deeper thought and engagement.
This technique is particularly prevalent in literature, art, and film. Authors, painters, and filmmakers use defamiliarization to challenge the audience’s perception and draw attention to details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Rather than passively consuming an image or story, we are invited to reevaluate our understanding of it.
How Defamiliarization Works in Everyday Life
One of the simplest ways to understand defamiliarization is to think about routine actions—commuting to work, brushing your teeth, or walking your dog. These are repetitive tasks that often occur without much thought. But imagine if a poem or painting reframed these moments, inviting you to savor their sensorial richness or unexpected poetic qualities. Suddenly, you’d see them differently. That’s the power of defamiliarization.
Defamiliarization can also be found in conversations or encounters with different perspectives. For instance, hearing an anecdote from someone who has lived in a different city or culture can make you rethink the habits and assumptions in your own daily life. Similarly, experiencing a narrative in a book or movie told from an unconventional point of view may make you notice aspects of human relationships or society that you had previously overlooked. This shift in perception invites curiosity and reflection, encouraging a deeper connection to the world around you. By making the familiar feel new, defamiliarization opens doors to a more mindful and enriched experience of everyday life.
The Impact of “Art as Technique” on Literature and Art
“Art as Technique” didn’t just introduce defamiliarization; it shifted the theoretical foundations of how we understand creative works.
Influence on Literary Theory
Shklovsky’s ideas were instrumental to the Russian Formalists, who focused on analyzing the devices that give literature its texture and depth. Beyond Russia, the essay influenced Structuralists and contemporary literary critics, emphasizing the importance of form over mere content. It taught writers and readers alike to dissect how language works, not just what it says.
Influence on Art and Film
Defamiliarization, brought to life by “Art as Technique,” echoes through the history of art and film. From surrealism to modern avant-garde movements, Shklovsky’s theory underscores how challenging norms can evoke powerful reactions, encouraging artists to experiment with juxtaposition and abstraction.
Applying Shklovsky’s Ideas in Artistic Creation and Analysis
Shklovsky’s theory isn’t just confined to theoretical circles—it offers practical tools that artists, writers, and even viewers or readers can use. Let’s explore how defamiliarization works in various mediums.
Literature: Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude
Marquez masterfully employs defamiliarization to transform everyday events—births, deaths, marriages—into extraordinary, magical occurrences. For instance, when Remedios the Beauty ascends to heaven while folding laundry, what would typically be mundane becomes a moment of awe and wonder. Marquez compels us to see the magical in the mundane, exemplifying Shklovsky’s insights.
Visual Arts: Rene Magritte’s The Treachery of Images
Magritte’s famous painting of a pipe, accompanied by the caption “This is not a pipe,” forces viewers to question assumptions about representation and reality. By presenting a demonstrating how defamiliarization functions in visual art.
Poetry: Emily Dickinson’s Because I could not stop for Deathfamiliar object in an unfamiliar way, Magritte disorients and intrigues his audience,
Dickinson’s portrayal of death as a courteous suitor, driving her in a carriage past scenes of her life, brings a fresh perspective to a universal experience. Instead of fear, her depiction evokes curiosity and reflection—defamiliarizing something as absolute as death and giving it an unexpectedly gentle quality.
Film: Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window
Hitchcock’s masterwork manipulates perspective, showing the audience a story unfold entirely through one man’s apartment window. By restricting the viewer’s point of view, he transforms ordinary city scenes into suspenseful, thought-provoking moments that keep us on edge.
How Shklovsky’s Ideas Enhance Creative Practice and Appreciation
Understanding “Art as Technique” enriches both art-making and art-viewing. For creators, defamiliarization can become a tool for breaking conventions, inspiring fresh ideas, and encouraging readers or viewers to engage more deeply with their work.
For readers, viewers, or listeners, Shklovsky’s ideas help cultivate a deeper appreciation for craft. Recognizing defamiliarization enables us to see beauty and meaning in unexpected places—be it a novel you’re reading or a peculiar art installation you stop to admire.
Why “Art as Technique” Is Still Relevant Today
Over a century since its publication, Shklovsky’s essay continues to resonate. At its core, it reminds us that art isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about discovery, perspective shifts, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
For literature enthusiasts, art students, and academic writers, understanding Shklovsky’s “Art as Technique” opens the door to more meaningful creative experiences. Whether you’re analyzing novels, crafting poems, or simply seeking fresh inspiration, defamiliarization gives both creators and audiences a new lens to see through.
Shklovsky’s Challenge to You
Next time you encounter a work of art, pause and ask yourself—how is this making the familiar feel strange? What details, shapes, or images stand out in ways that break my expectations? By engaging with defamiliarization consciously, you’ll unlock a richer, more rewarding appreciation for art in all its forms. As Shklovsky himself said, “Art exists that one may recover the sensation of life; it exists to make one feel things, to make the stone stony.” So let us embrace defamiliarization and rediscover the wonder in our everyday experiences. Or as Shklovsky might say, let us see the stone as a stone once again.
Are you ready to transform the way you view art and literature? Pick up a copy of Viktor Shklovsky’s “Art as Technique,” and start looking afresh at the world around you.
Conclusion
Art has the power to reshape how we see and experience life. By exploring concepts like defamiliarization, as introduced by Shklovsky, we allow ourselves to step beyond routine perceptions and into a world of renewed wonder. The beauty of art lies in its ability to challenge, inspire, and surprise us, unlocking depths of understanding we may not have known existed. Whether you’re a creator or an admirer, remember that every piece of art holds an opportunity to see the world with fresh eyes. Take the time to engage, question, and reflect—because through art, we can discover not only new perspectives but also new dimensions of ourselves.
FAQs
What is defamiliarization?
Defamiliarization is a literary and artistic technique that presents familiar objects or concepts in an unfamiliar way, helping the audience see them from a fresh perspective. It challenges habitual perceptions and encourages a deeper engagement with the work.
Why is defamiliarization important in art?
Defamiliarization is important because it disrupts our automatic way of experiencing the world. It encourages reflection, curiosity, and a renewed appreciation for the ordinary by presenting it in an extraordinary manner, thus enhancing the impact of art.
How can I apply defamiliarization to my own creativity?
You can apply defamiliarization by consciously changing how you approach your subject matter. Try looking at your surroundings or your ideas from an unexpected angle, use metaphors or abstractions, or reframe a common experience in a way that makes it feel new and surprising.
Can defamiliarization enhance how I interpret art and literature?
Absolutely. By recognizing when defamiliarization is used, you’re better equipped to engage with art on a deeper level. It helps uncover hidden meanings and allows you to appreciate the nuances and bold choices made by the creator.
Is defamiliarization only relevant to literature?
Not at all. Although the term originated in literary theory, defamiliarization can be found in painting, film, photography, music, and even everyday communication. Any creative medium can use this technique to inspire fresh ways of thinking.
