About This Video

A simple, two-dimensional line drawing captures the essence of three-dimensional form. With minimal information, a line drawing can convey a lot of meaning. Here, Patrick Cavanagh, cognitive psychologist at Harvard University, describes how the meaning of a line drawing can extend across cultural and even species divides, lending insight into the workings of the brain and the power of the visual “code.”

Image courtesy of Peter Durand; Recorded June 2010; Posted October 2010