Presentation vs. Representation

According to Webster Dictionary the definition of presentation is as follows:

: something presented: asa : a symbol or image that represents somethingb : something offered or given : giftc : something set forth for the attention of the mindd : a descriptive or persuasive account (as by a salesman of a product)e : a presenting symptom or group of symptoms <clinicalpresentation of appendicitis>


According to Webster Dictionary the definition of representation is as follows:

: one that represents: asa : an artistic likeness or imageb (1) : a statement or account made to influence opinion or action (2) : an incidental or collateral statement of fact on the faith of which a contract is entered intoc : a dramatic production or performanced (1) : a usually formal statement made against something or to effect a change (2) : a usually formal protest

These definitions give us a brief outline of what presenting and representing something is about, however the difference between the two still seem pretty vague. When it comes to art, media, or anything that could be considered a visualization there's a few things that distinguish between the two. 

When presenting the world with something you have created, or even something that you haven't, there are so many things that go into that decision. If I've made a piece of political art, do I print it out and present it to the world as a poster... do I put it on my Facebook page and leave it in a digital medium? The way that we present things to the world completely changes how we perceive it. If we decide that we're going to print them out and cover the walls of the student center with them, it sends a completely different message than if we were to keep it in digital format and post it all over our Facebook page. The presentation changes our reaction as an audience to that specific piece or work. 

So what is the different when it comes to representation? Representation to me is the reasoning behind why you decided to present your piece in such a way. If I'm trying to represent the parallel between Vietnam war propaganda by placing my image on a picket sign, I'm representing the parallel between the war we are currently fighting and a war that was notorious for negative feedback from the community. I am also representing something about myself by presenting my images in this way: I represent a sense of peace that I want to keep, I represent freedom of speech and my right to protest. On the other hand if I were to post an event on Twitter and have that image be the forefront of every message sent to my followers, the way I'm representing myself is that I'm collaborating with technology and that I'm a modern user of media, not someone who is trying to get back to the basics. The way in which we present our pieces to the world comes directly from how we wish that piece to be represented in the community.