dimagerie

Dimagerie is a term that appears in some discussions of contemporary image making and visual perception. In these contexts, it denotes the practice and study of imagery that engages with dimensionality beyond the flat, two‑dimensional plane. Proponents use the term to describe works and techniques that evoke depth, spatial multiplicity, or alternative framings of space, rather than to define a fixed genre.

Origin and usage are informal; the word is not widely standardized in art criticism or academia. It appears as a neologism combining dimension with imagery, drawing on both art theory and media studies. Because it lacks a fixed definition, its boundaries overlap with related terms such as optical art, anamorphosis, stereography, and 3D visualization.

Practically, dimagerie can refer to methods that manipulate perceived dimension, including perspective tricks, parallax, lenticular prints, anamorphic projection, holography, volumetric displays, 3D modeling-based renders, or immersive installations in VR/AR. The common thread is attention to how viewers perceive space and depth, and how image structure invites imaginative or experiential responses.

In criticism, dimagerie is treated as a descriptive label rather than a formal discipline. Some critics view it as useful for grouping experimental works; others regard it as vague marketing jargon. It is most often encountered in discussions of contemporary art, visual culture, and digital design rather than in traditional art history.

Related concepts include optical illusion, anamorphosis, stereoscopy, lenticular imaging, holography, three-dimensional art, and immersive media.