Monday, December 27, 2010

vignette


Vignettes from the Underground is meant as a place for the small stories that masquerade as memories from my life. These memories don't ask to be part of a saga, but stand on their own. Vignettes in their own right.

The term vignette generally means something small. Originally it meant "something that may be written on a vine-leaf". The word has grown to fit many meanings, all of which are inclusive of the purpose of this blog.

Vignette:
* decorative designs in books to separate sections or chapters.
* any process by which there is loss in clarity towards the corners and sides of an image (photography and graphic design).
* The term vignette is sometimes used to describe an image that is smaller than the original.
* short, impressionistic scenes that focus on one moment or give a particular insight into a character, idea, or setting (literature).
* a small, colored sticker affixed to motor vehicles in some European nations to indicate road tolls have been paid.
* a short description of an event, behavior or person used in a psychology experiment to control information provided to participants (psychology).