Perspektivave

Perspektivave is a neologism used in contemporary art theory, design, and narrative studies to describe a practice that presents multiple, interacting viewpoints within a single work or analytic framework. It denotes an approach rather than a fixed school, applicable across visual arts, literature, and interactive media, with the aim of foregrounding plural perception and cross-point interpretation.

Etymology and origins are not tied to a single origin story. The term appears to blend the word perspective with a pluralizing or integrative suffix, signaling the combination of several vantage points. It has appeared in various theoretical notes and artist statements since the early 2010s, mainly within experimental or interdisciplinary contexts rather than mainstream curricula.

Applications of perspektivave span several domains. In visual art, it can describe works that combine several vantage points, such as multi-angle projections, layered foreshortening, or simultaneous parallel and linear perspectives within a single frame. In literature and theatre, it refers to polyphonic or multi-voiced structures where different characters’ viewpoints are presented and interwoven. In interactive media and data visualization, perspectivave interfaces allow users to switch between perspectives or merge data streams from multiple stakeholders in a cohesive view.

Reception is varied: perspektivave is not a standardized term and remains niche. Proponents argue that it encourages methodological pluralism and richer interpretation, while critics warn that the label can be vague without clear definitions or practices.

Related terms include perspectivism, polyphony, and multi-view visualization.