Image Essay #15

This is an illustration by Nathan Fox a talented commercial and comic book artist. This image depicts a strongly triadic color scheme. It consists of a basis of the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and is accompanied by earth tones. The use of this color scheme is done subtly and in a natural fashion, that is excluding the voyeuristic man’s blue hair. The colors seem to differentiate each figure or element from the next very effectively. The two main figures differ in skin tone assisting in the connection of which hand is whose. Their vibrant and more saturate elements of clothing bring them forward in space, as does the high contrast of the contour lines establishing their forms. In addition, the aggressive folds of clothing which double as contour create a lot of movement throughout each figure.

The contrast of the yellow window frames against the dull neutrals of the less defined outside make the scene behind the glass recede; thus some depth is created to this distinctly two dimensional image. Depth also presents itself in the way the table is at a diagonal and overlaps the figures. The diagonals of the surrounding booth have the same effect, while the head overlaps the background further establishing its placement.

Image Essay #14

This image is a prime example of tension. Displaying a soldier with a smile slapped on his mouth, the image is then placed in an elegant picture frame. These images are undoubtedly conflicting and much can be read into the meaning of this piece.

The first clear opposition in this image is the contrast of mood. The artist depicts the image of a soldier in its bleak, dirty, and depressing mood then places a happy and vibrant smile over his mouth. As one could gather from watching any war film, war is ugly and not a happy-go-lucky fun time as implied by the overzealous smile.

Secondly there is a strong conflict in color choice. Though both elements are monochromatic, their saturation varies distinctly. The soldier bears a dull sepia tone while the smile is the most chromatic red. This stark contrast feeds the observed meaning. It seems to be a satirical attempt to glorify war. It appears that the artist intends to bring forth the reality that you cannot just place a happy facade over a gripping reality. To further exam the fact that a frame of some importance surrounds the image denotes perhaps the ownership of a relative. Thus we can infer that the relative is either given a false view of the soldier’s condition or that they are perhaps being overly optimistic about the situation to avoid depression or worry.

Image Essay #13

This is a work entitled “Leaves with Hole” by Andy Goldsworthy a true artistic “natural”. Goldsworthy uses natural objects found in the area where he makes the piece to compose his sculptural works and then photographs them. Often these works are temporary such as the one above. Each piece is completely natural and lacks a man made aesthetic. This piece displays a careful arrangement of fall leaves in an analogous color scheme, appearing next to each other on the color wheel.

Goldsworthy’s design uses radial symmetry, at least to the greatest extent nature will allow. The radial pattern is a great example of gradation. The colors gradually shift from red to yellow. The gradation extends further as the red becomes darker and blends into the ground. With the addition of the yellow leaves overlapping the black center circle the design takes on some depth. The gradation adds to the illusion of a tunnel.

Though the arrangement is centered and the focal point as well, the composition is not entirely static. The overlapping leaves draw the eye out in a spiral or circular movement around the image. It is a great example of repetition through the leaves and unity through the use of gradation and analogous colors.

Image Essay #11

To exemplify figure ground reversal I chose a woodcut and printed piece called “Day and Night” by M. C. Escher a Dutch graphic artist. Escher’s use of this principle to differentiate between the interlaced birds is fascinating. His use of mathematics as well as the principles of art makes for elaborate and well-structured pieces.

Escher’s use of the figure ground reversal operates on two levels. It both affects the foreground and the background; separating the black birds from the white birds and separating the dark landscape from thee light landscape. The elements push and pull for foreground dominance or positive dominance. Each of the bird shapes fight to be birds or landscape between birds.

The image also sets up a near symmetrical balance structure thus leaving it to be lightly described as asymmetrical balance.

Escher seems to toy with the principle of making an object both recede and come forward almost simultaneously. He did many works comparable to the one above, including long morphing chains that would continue the pattern like the birds in this piece but change objects. Beyond his works similar to that of the above, his architectural drawings have the same effect. Escher uses the rules of perspective and alters reality to create an effect similar to figure ground reversal.

Image Essay #8

The above painting “Supper at Emmaus” is one of many works by the artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Caravaggio depicts a passage from the bible (Luke 24: 30-31) in which a resurrected Jesus blesses bread for his disciples and reveals to them that he is Christ for they did not recognize him.

Caravaggio’s treatment of this is quite dramatic and made so through use of lighting; such a depiction is just to achieve the feeling of shock and revelation of the event. He places great contrast on the face of Jesus creating an immediate focal point on the most important figure. The figures gestures and expression react to their discovery and are also treated with dramatic lighting but not as highly as the face of Jesus; thus this sets up a dominance structure of contrast among the people. The figures with their implied movement toward the center seem to contrast the still life on the table.

In addition, Caravaggio seems to adhere to the color scheme of compliments, red and green, amongst earth tones and other neutrals. He also allows the viewer to be included in the story, offering openness in the foreground giving the viewer the illusion of participation.

Image Essay #10

1) How do you interpret color?

I have always thought of color as an embellishment to black and white value. The information of the form (value) lies underneath and the color offers variation to each tone or shade. Color itself essentially nothing without other elements to interpret it.

2) Who taught you that meaning?

I believe I taught it to myself. By means of observation and drawing my own conclusions I believe I established my own interpretations of the world around me. Essentially I have determined, at least in my opinion, what color is and is not capable of.

3) Can color have more than just one meaning to you?

Color is very objective; one color can have multiple meanings but is ultimately determined by its context. To state that a color has one meaning and only one is very closed minded. The color Blue could mean both sad and depressed or delightful and refreshing like water.

4) How was that meaning influenced by your culture?

Well, in this culture we are overwhelmed with color daily. As with anything, such a universality of color usage and meaning seems to eliminate association of a specific color with a specific subject.

5) How is it different than other cultures?

Other cultures often have specific meaning and attach a symbolic identity to colors. For example the identity of funeral colors differs greatly between cultures.

6) What feelings or emotions can a color evoke?

Color can evoke many feelings and emotions through their associations with common uses of that color. A greenish golden yellow could easily evoke disgust due to its association with mold and gross toenails. Also from a psychological standpoint, colors also have subliminal predispositions: evoking anxiousness, hunger, and more.