1) What elements in this work read as symbols for some larger idea? And what do you believe they symbolize?
2) What are the main ideas expressed in the piece? Does knowing about the artist’s intentions help in your analysis or do you prefer not to know what they intended to communicate?
3) How does the artist’s overall aesthetic approach affect the way you interpret the content of this piece? You can answer this question by asking, “What if this piece were made another way, in another medium? How would that change my interpretation of it?”
4) Using cognitive theory, what can you say you learned (if anything) from this art work?
I chose Joan Mitchell's painting to use for answering these question.
ReplyDelete1. Her choice of colors can be read as sort of symbolic. The bright hues harken back to a landscape being touched by sunlight, the yellows mimic flowers and the blues read as sky but not in a cliche or overused sense. It is a different take on landscape painting and the same old symbolism is there, just in a more subtle way.
2. The main idea of this piece appears to be capture nature in an emotional and visually sentimental way, to look at something and project it back to the viewer but in a highly personalized perspective. Mitchell does not want to simple create a landscape painting, this painting is about presenting the emotional response that the landscape evokes. When I analyze an artwork, I like to try to form the artists intentions without being told them first, but then learning the specific thing they were trying to communicate after I have done it on my own.
3. Overall, when I look at this painting I come away with the sense that it has an intentionally unfinished quality. There is motion and life in the piece and that seems to reflect the nature of the physical world: things are constantly shifting and changing. The brush strokes are also a key part of the expressive tone that is achieved in the piece, they is a nice balance between short and sprightly brush strokes and longer, more gently lyrical strokes. I think in another medium this emotion would not be conveyed in the same light.
4. From this artwork, I think I learned that a piece of artwork can be a collaboration between viewer and artist. The artist creates the work and infuses it with emotion. However, if this form of expression does not get through to the audience, than the piece was not as successful as the artist intended. For Joan Mitchell, if you look at her paintings and just see splotches of color on a canvas, than her work is left completely unfinished. The feelings being projected by her paintings must make it to the viewer in order for the art to truly be art.
I have chosen to look at Rapture by Kiki Smith
ReplyDelete1) Smith uses the symbol of Little Red Riding hood and the big bad wolf as a metaphor for rebirth and the process of becoming a woman. Little Red Riding hood is no longer a child evident from her curvaceous woman’s body. She steps out of the wolf symbolic of her triumph over him. Smith is playing with our typical conceptions of the fairy tale when Little Red Riding was innocent and vulnerable.
2) Smith is looking at the transformation we go through from being a child to a adult and the liberation one feels alongside the loss of innocence. Her nudity, her fully grown body and her blank and emotionally warn facial expression shows the toil that growing up has. However, her trials have led to the reward of triumphing over the wolf represented from her powerful stance.
I prefer to look at a work not knowing the artists intent and discover it after I have come to my own interpretation of the work.
3) Smith made the sculpture in bronze and so it is entirely black. As a result there is more of an emphasis on the forms, shapes and the emotion of the piece. Color would distract from the ideas Smith is trying to express. Smith also kept the forms quite simple and didn’t overcomplicate them with details. As a result we are further encouraged to focus on expressive meaning.
4) I learnt how the transformation of a fairy tale could become very powerful. Smith’s method of breaking with our general associations about the fairy tale meant I felt more of a response from the ideas the artists expressed. Also, by ageing Red Riding Hood I feel like there is more to the story than what we might expect. The viewer already has a connection with the figure and Smith is unraveling another side to the story we know so well.
I chose Louise Bourgeois' piece entitled "Spider".
ReplyDelete1) The spider is a shelter but also scary which symbolizes home being a scary place but also comforting. It is surrounding a cage which is symbolizing being caged in by the scary shelter.
2) The main ideas are the aspects of home. Knowing about the artist does help. Knowing about her family life as a child and how she felt about home was extremely helpful. I like that I know what she intended.
3)The medium does get the message across. The material is hard and scary and uncomfortable which evokes an emotional response. I would not want to even touch it. But because of the way it is lit and the way the spider embraces the cage, I know there is comfort there as well.
4) I think I learned about how some people feel about home. I always felt so comforted by home it is a sad and scary thought to imagine someone feeling this way of their home. It is important that she get this idea across because even though it is not a good one it is a fact of life.
One of the largest elements in Louise Bourgeois’ work Cell XXV (The View of the World of the Jealous Wife) is the cage that encloses the entire work. I believe that this literal cage is a metaphor for being trapped in a situation that a person feels they cannot escape.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the main idea being addressed in this work is in reference to the artist’s mother. When Bourgeois was young she saw that her mother was trapped in a hopeless situation, married to her father who had brought his mistress into their home, to live as a tutor, all the while everyone pretending like nothing was going on. Knowing the artists intentions helps to understand the meaning, though I think that this particular piece is pretty straight forward.
If this piece were made up of different materials I think it would change the way that it was viewed. The black metal cage certainly gets the point across different than, say, a roll of caution tape or white picket fence. The ladies dresses help in the interpretation also, directing the viewer to think of an issue pertaining to a woman.
I feel that Bourgeois’ work is not as strong on the cognitive level as the expressionistic. She deals with sharing an emotional response to the viewer more than imparting knowledge outside of the personal relm.
I chose Louise Bourgeois- Spider, 1997
ReplyDelete1)When I first looked at this piece, I saw the protective qualities that her spider exudes. The spider was cradling over this caged area, perhaps symbolizing a web, protecting her objects of importance. I also realized that the stylistic qualities such as the large size and exaggerated legs made it incredible creepy and even frightening for some, which further enhanced the protective quality that nothing can challenge the protection. After reading the chapter, I did learn that these spiders represent her mother. I found a quote in which she explains why she chose a spider to symbolize her mother “My best friend was my mother and she was deliberate, clever, patient, soothing, reasonable, dainty, subtle, indispensable, neat, and as useful as a spider” It is also known that spiders are connected to myths where they are both protectors and predators associated with fertility.
2)After reading the chapter, I did learn that these spiders represent her mother. I found a quote in which she explains why she chose a spider to symbolize her mother “My best friend was my mother and she was deliberate, clever, patient, soothing, reasonable, dainty, subtle, indispensable, neat, and as useful as a spider” It is also known that spiders are connected to myths where they are both protectors and predators associated with fertility. Knowing Bourgeois’ meaning behind her sculpture does validate my ideas that I had on this piece, but I think her intentions are expressed even without having knowledge of her beliefs.
3)I really appreciate the large scale of the piece, I think if it was a tiny spider on a web or on a cage it would not evoke a protective quality. The exaggerations that she chose in the size and stylistic qualities of the spider help the viewer understand that this creature is overpowering something in that cage. Also the fact that her piece is made out of metal, and not a softer material symbolizes this added protective quality of strength, reliability and sturdiness.
4)This artwork made me come to a realization that both aspects of observing a work personally and also learning about the artist’s intention help express an emotion or symbolism. Barrett expressed that Cognitivism asserts that art provides knowledge of the world in unique and powerful ways and that such knowledge would be lost to us if it were presented in forms other than artistic forms. This idea is validated by the intentions that artists like Louise Bourgeois chose to use to communicate emotions.
2. When viewing Joan Mitchell’s work La Grand Vallée O (1983), one instantly feels emotion. This makes sense since Joan Mitchell was an expressionist and conveying an emotion was what she sought to do. When I first looked at it, I felt very relaxed and happy. After viewing it I read, “a number of the Grande Vallée canvases appear to represent vast fields of flowers painted on a tipped vertical plane… in La Grande Vallée O, [Mitchell produces] the effect of luminous yellow, orange, and pink petals that flutter and sway in the cool summer breeze. The sun drenches the wild field in a bleaching light, shifting the green grass to an almost teal hue” (Barrett 73). Barrett then claims that “Mitchell did not paint likenesses of landscapes, nor did she attempt to represent nature; rather, she strove to put into paint the emotion that landscape inspired” (73). After viewing La Grand Vallée O, I think Mitchell carries this out exceptionally well. I can almost feel the warmth of sunshine on my face and the calmness of being in a beautiful open field, surrounded by nature, without a care in the world.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that when looking at this work one needs to know Mitchell’s intentions. Mitchell herself has said, “Other people don’t have to see what I do in my work” (75). Without knowing anything about the piece you can still get the feeling of warmth and happiness.
Loise Bourgeois- I Do, 1999-2000
ReplyDelete1) What elements in this work read as symbols for some larger idea? And what do you believe they symbolize?
The text play an important role, especially their placement. Having the words "I DO" placed at the bottom of this winding staircase elude to marriage and where you end up after you say "I do." I believe this piece is about how Louise believes once a woman gets married her place in life is to be observed on a pedestal; to be stationary and magnified and not to have freedom.
2) What are the main ideas expressed in the piece? Does knowing about the artist’s intentions help in your analysis or do you prefer not to know what they intended to communicate?
The main ideas expressed in this is the coldness and captivity of marriage. Knowing Louise's background definitely helped me come to this conclusion because of her desire not to repeat her mother's mistakes. She has a very interesting story and drive behind her artwork and in her case I definitely like to know her background and how it influences what she is communicating through her art.
3) How does the artist’s overall aesthetic approach affect the way you interpret the content of this piece? You can answer this question by asking, “What if this piece were made another way, in another medium? How would that change my interpretation of it?”
I wish to be able to see it in person but in the photograph of her piece there are people in the background which gives me an idea of the grandiose scale of this sculpture. If it were not this large and not made out of a harsh material like metal and glass then I am sure it would not convey the same ideas. Her tackle on marriage in combination with this piece gives you an overwhelming feeling, the simple words "I do" lead to this enormous climb and cold stranded feeling of isolation.
4) Using cognitive theory, what can you say you learned (if anything) from this art work?
I feel it is easy for me to identify with Bourgeois's pieces because we have similar experiences. I also recognize that someone who does not have the same feelings would need a deeper research aspect to her inspirations. I learned that even more so than I had thought, your past experiences will drastically affect how quickly or thoroughly you understand a body of work as well as if you enjoy the work or not.
I chose to interpret Joan Mitchell’s La Grande Vallée O
ReplyDelete1. Mitchell’s use of color and brush-stroke serve as the symbolic elements in her work. Because her work is non-representational, emotions and scenes are conveyed though her vivid interplay of colors. The bright yellows and greens conjure up images of a field of flowers blowing in the wind, set in a backdrop of vivid blue sky.
2. Her work seeks to express her personal feelings at a moment in time, in this case, a moment while on vacation in France. Color and brush-stroke stand in for literal forms, and seek to evoke deep emotion in the viewer. Certainly the artist’s intentions help augment the way I analyze the piece, especially in such a non-representational work. Her titles and intentions help give a context for the work, and allow me to appreciate more deeply the use of color and line and how they represent the artist’s feelings.
3. The artist’s use of vivid color and wild brush strokes appeal to the most primal instincts of the viewer and awaken feelings on a very basic visual level. Rather than wow a viewer with technique or perfect execution, Mitchell appeals to the straightforward part of one’s brain that is awakened by the interplay of bright, pleasing colors. The flow and motion conveyed by the brush strokes give the work a wild, kinetic quality that would be lost if it were rendered with more finesse. The artist’s emotions, varied and ever changing, are best conveyed through this technique.
4. This work has made me more aware of how the title of a piece, as well as the artist’s intents, shape my interpretations. Without the context, the work would be less evocative for me. Knowing what I know about the setting and intent of the work, I can feel similar emotions to the artist, and more deeply appreciate the interplay of color and use of brush stroke and what they convey.
I chose Joan Mitchell's Riviere.
ReplyDelete1.Color is has a lot of symbolic weight in the piece. Without considering artist intent, each color could relate to an emotion making the piece about the connection and intertwining of emotion.
2. Knowing the artist intent and history is crucial in understanding the main ideas of this work. In this work she the color have an association for different places form her childhood. This combined with the knowledge that she places her colors with intention makes the main idea of this work about the connections between places in our lives.
3.If another medium had been chosen the interpretation would be greatly changed. For instance, if Mitchell had chosen the collage photographs of all the places she was referencing the emotion of the piece would change. By using the colors it allows for other people to make associations with the colors and thus have there own emotional experience. Everyone wouldn't necessarily connect with the photographs.
4.I have learned what I associate with colors and how this changes based on their interaction with other colors. I walk away thinking about why I have those association.
I chose to look at Louise Bourgeois and her work "Cell(You Better Grow Up)", 1993.
ReplyDelete1. Having seen the title of this painting,and know ing a little about Louise, it is easier for me to look at her work and be able to interpret some things. The hands in the middle of the work, I believe act as symbolic and it is her not being able to let go of her childhood and the memories by holding on to her parents hands. Also the cage is very symbolic as it shows her mind trapped in the past. Another symbol could be the mirrors, which could symbolize the dual life of her father.
2. The main idea in the piece is Louise's experiences from childhood and her not being able to escape them. I like knowing about the artist as I would not be able to understand the artist's thinking and reasons of creating the work. however, sometimes it is nice to make your own interpretations first and then learn about him/her.
3. It is helpful that the artist chose to do such a piece in a 3D form and not in a 2D form as it is easier for the viewer to connect with such a piece while interacting with it and being able to see the objects live.
4. I believe that someone can gain things from Louise's work. She talks about her emotions and her stressing childhood that caused her a lot of pain. First of all I learn from her experiences and then people that might have the same problem can associate to her and her work even stronger.
mith.
ReplyDelete1. The entire print seems to contain symbols in this piece. There is
a nude Saint Genevieve, the subject for whom the painting is titled after, who in Catholic lore represents charity, Paris, and virginity. Then there are two wolves, one of them cracked, and two birds flying overhead. The wolves face the opposite direction of the woman, and the birds hover over the wolves, drawing attention back morseo to the wolves than to themselves. I think the wolves symbolize loneliness, and perhaps even emptiness somehow, while the birds symbolize perhaps a messager. The fact that Saint Genevieve is nude is also interesting and suggests perhaps some vulnerability.
2. The main ideas in this piece is feminism, and the relation between humans and the animals' world. Knowing that Kiki Smith grew up in a fairly morbid, unconventional family really explains the painting stylistically to me, as well as shows me why there would be such a dark undertone and the reference to Catholicism.
3. I think that Smith's approach on this piece is absolutely fantastic. It is a print, with a very flat, graphic quality to it. The image seems to be places on some sort of stained paper. The images themselves appear to be "scratchy" looking. There is uncomfortable distance between the woman and the animals, and the wolves are layered in such a wonderful way that it would lose its translation had she chose another medium. Printmaking was the right way to get this image out to really lend to the emotional sense of isolation that the piece extends to the viewer.
4. I also learned about the interdependent relationship shared between the artists and the viewer. I particularily enjoyed how looking at this piece I was forced to sit and think why the artist deliberately chose the medium that she did. I feel as if I typically don't do that, I just accept that the artist chose to paint versus print versus photograph as if that was their only option. Thinking about how just the medium itself would change the message and feel of the piece really helps better connect me to the intent and purpose of a peice and I intend on using this tecnique more in the future.
I chose one of Louise Bourgeois's sculptures. Cell XXV (The View of the World of the Jealous Wife)
ReplyDelete1.) The main symbol of the piece is the giant cage. It represents the caged life of women. Louise's mother was trapped in her own life and this cage represents this. The dresses inside the cage represent women and the fact that they are hanging and inside the cage symbolizes vulnerability.
2.) The main ideas expressed in this piece are women are sometimes vulnerable and therefore trapped in their lives. Like Louise's mother, they are unable to break free and live the life they want to live. Knowing Louise's intentions helped my analysis because being aware of her family life reveals what message she is trying to get across. I like knowing about the artist because I value the artist's purpose in creating an artwork. If I was not aware of her intentions I would probably not understand what she was trying to get across.
3.) If this piece were made in another medium the cage would not have the same affect on the viewer. I don't know if I would have felt the
"trapped" feeling Louise was trying to create if the piece was painted or drawn. The size and three dimensionality create strong emotion in the viewer and helps to get Louise's point across.
4.) I learned the power the past can have on a person and that art can be a powerful outlet for this pain. Louise's work has taught me that it is important for women to be free.
I choose Louise Bourgeois's Cell (You Better Grow Up), 1993 to answer this question
ReplyDelete1.The use of a cage on her work symbolizes the feeling of being trap as well as protection, which is very similar to her Spider pieces. The use of mirror symbolizes fragility and vanity and the hands sculpture represent the idea of friendship, protection, and helplessness.
2.Her work is dealing with her childhood trauma, how family can be both a sanctuary and a prison at the same time. The work shows the fragility of family, how it seems very protective and safe but can be easily fractured just like the glasses objects inside the cage. She mentions that her hands sculpture symbolizes helplessness, which is how she felt when she was inside her house. Knowing her background information definitely helps with the interpretation of the work as it is a personal piece. I personally like to know the artist interpretation of the work and then add my own interpretation to the work.
3.The contrast of the metal object and glasses objects really enhance the meaning of the work. It symbolizes the power of her father to cage her and her siblings under his power and their helplessness she was. The contrast gives the work a very solemn and melancholic mood. Changing the material will greatly affect the overall feelings and emotion of the work.
4.The work provides me with an alternative view on family. Society praise family value and portray home as the safest place but ignore a large part of the population who live in an abusing household. It also shows the gender equality, how her father can bring another woman into the house and pretend nothing happen while her mother can do nothing about it.
*on part 4 by "gender equality" I really mean "inequality"
ReplyDelete