From an artistic perspective, I have always been struck by the raw emotion and gritty aesthetic of depression-era photography. I am interested in emulating the style of the aged photograph and incorporating visually stimulating and emotionally probing content in the prints I will make during this class. As a twist and an added personal touch, I propose to incorporate abstract, geometric patterns and forms to combine this theme with my personal interests in minimalism and abstract expressionism. Through this combination I hope to create a striking contrast that will both evoke deep thought and feeling from the viewer with the raw grit of the subject matter, and guide and soothe with predictable, geometric structure.
I also hope to challenge myself in my work with this combination. I have selected the vintage photograph style not only for its obvious versatility in black and white mediums, but for its attention to particular details, such as the lines in the skin of the woman depicted in Dorothea Lang’s most famous depression-era photograph. I hope to push myself to take risks in the medium of wood-cutting as I attempt to translate these details through the printmaking process. I hope to challenge myself also with the task of creating geometric semi-perfection in the sometimes unpredictable and difficult to control process of wood-cutting and printing.
Todros Geller (1889 - 1949)
Chicago Towers, 1937
woodcut on paper, 9 by 12 inches
Illinois State Museum collection
Lange, Dorothea, photographer, "Destitute Pea Pickers in California. Mother of Seven Children. Age Thirty-Two. Nipomo, California." February, 1936.
4 comments:
Good composition. It really looks like they are looking right at eachother. Cool treatment of the edges, you loose the corners and it really adds to the dreariness/bloodiness.
I'm a huge fan of the border around the image, as well as the strong eye contact between the person and the cow. Word.
Your image is compelling. I enjoy your switch in subject matter. You really captured the tension and anxiety between the cow and boy. Also, nice recession in space.
the carcasses on the right really impressed me; the mark-making and composition of the piece are great. i also loved how the uneven edges create the "dripping" look.
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