Despite the obvious intersections between the studies of interpersonal and mass communication, an unnecessary separation exists between those two closely related (sub)disciplines. Two avenues of connection between these areas of study are the concepts of gap bridging, and application of visual analysis to conversation analysis. James Guardino has proposed the effects of messages as the core essence of communication, but a step further back from the message should be incorporated, which is the impetus for the message: what other writers have referred to as "the gap." A generic model of communication is based on an earlier model of multi-image communication and B. Dervin's gap theory. To truly understand successful communicatings, scholars must study both the conditions of the gap and the exchange of interaction which attempts to bridge it. The terminology of "window,""frame," and "mirror" from the field of mass communication can be used to study interpersonal interactions. Using five major visual media of painting, photography, cinema, video, and multi-image as subjects for analysis of the relationships between spatial depiction and viewer engagement, the "window" orientation focuses on content, while the frame imagery renders a flatter sense of visual space. The use of various scenarios of gap theory and the conceptualizations allowed through the "window/border/mirror" metaphors are a means to bring both groups of communication scholars closer together. (Contains 4 figures, 3 notes, and 35 references.) (RS)