Fox Games by Sandy Skoglund - Essay Example

VISUAL ANALYSIS PAPER The transformation of art-especially from Renaissance to Rococo-is utmost important within art history. To be specific, this transformation is symbolic of the progression from traditionalism to modernity. Within this scenario, the artworks by Sandy Skoglund are important because the same provides ample importance to naturalism and is beyond the scope of traditionalism. Besides, her artworks focus upon the vigor, charm, and spontaneity of nature and are symbolic of her portrayal of the differences between two worlds, i.e. manmade and natural. The artwork was created in the year 1989 and the medium is Cibachrome print. Thesis statement: The stylistic features in the artwork named as Fox Games, by the renowned artist named as Sandy Skoglund, prove that the artist combined different elements of art (composition), provided importance to the usage of contrasting colors (color), the decision to use light/shadow determines the artwork’s visual beauty, perspective provides depth to the theme, figures help the viewers to evaluate the differences among different figures, pose elevates the artwork from predictability to originality, and gestures provide charm to the work as a whole. Stylistic features: This section is broadly divided as: composition, color, use of light/shadow, perspective, figures, pose, and gestures. Composition One can see that unity is the basic element of composition within visual art. As this term (composition) is superimposed into the scenario of the artwork-Fox Games (see appendix-1), is evident that the artwork can be easily detached as animate objects (fox and human beings) and inanimate objects (chairs, tables, chandelier, table cloth, food etc) and enjoyed differently. Still, there is a symmetrical connection among these visual elements in general. Similarly, the sense of movement is visible in the artwork because the foxes dominate the artwork as a whole. For instance, the presence of foxes is symbolic of fast movement, and the human images/figures in the artwork are symbolic of slow movement. On the other side, the chandelier is the focal point of the artwork and this is symbolic of the division between two worlds in general. The basic pattern within the artwork proves that the artist is obsessed with curved and straight lines. For instance, the basic proportion of the room is symbolic of straight lines and the table cloth (curved lines) and other elements are symbolic of the wise usage of pattern within the artwork. Similarly, Skoglund provides ample importance to proportion and the same is evident in the proportionate alignment of objects in the artwork. So, it is evident that the artist provides ample importance to composition, and the same is evident in the artwork. Color One can see that artists provide ample importance to color within art because they know that proper combination of colors can elevate their artworks. To be specific, Sandy Skoglund’s color combination within her artworks is amazing because she is aware of the proportionate usage of different colors. For instance, grey and red dominates the work as a whole. One can see that grey dominates the inanimate objects in the artwork. Similarly, red dominates the animate objects in the artwork. Besides, proper combination of red and different shades of grey provides color balance to the work as a whole. For instance, the foxes in the artwork are portrayed red in color. One can see that red is an unfamiliar color among foxes. Still, the artist depends upon red color to project the importance of animals within the living world. On the other side, grey color in the artwork is symbolic of monotony or the routine happenings in life. For instance, even the food items are portrayed in whitish grey because the same is symbolic of monotonousness. On the other side, the human figures (two customers and waiter) are portrayed in dark color to contrast the skin color. The artwork’s focal point (say, the chandelier) is red in color and it signifies the difference between bright and dark colors in the artwork as a whole. Use of light/shadow World renowned artists, especially painters, depend upon the usage of light/shadow to attract viewers towards their artworks. To be specific, world renowned artworks are the byproducts of keen observation of the characteristics of light. The artist must be able to foresee the effect of light/shadow on his/her artwork. This is important because the end product must be similar to the image in the artist’s mind. If not, the artwork may not satisfy the artist and this may force the artist to think that his/her artwork is imperfect. Within the scenario of the art work named as Fox Games, utmost importance is given to light/shadow. For instance, the viewers can identify that the source of light in the artwork is on the upper side. The figures in the background fade out into the shadow, but their faces are glowing. This is unusual because the background is in whitish grey color and the shadow is greater and thicker than the figures. On the other side, the foxes in the artwork are in playful mood and this creates uneven shadows. Still, the wise usage of light/shadow is attractive because it does not hinder the combination of different images into a single whole. So, it is evident that the artwork is symbolic of the wise usage of light/shadow. Perspective One can see that perspective technique provides depth and space to the elements in an artwork. This technique can be divided into linear perspective (shapes) and aerial perspective (colors). In the artwork, Skoglund makes use of both the techniques within perspective to unleash her artistic creativity. To be specific, the shapes in the artwork are not unfamiliar to human eyes. For instance, the tables, chairs and other figures in the artwork can be viewed in different dimensions. Besides, this difference in view will not hinder the viewer’s observation of the work. The aerial perspective or the texture work on the walls, floor etc is still visible to the viewers. For instance, the shadow originates from the human images fade into the wall. If one tries to view the artwork will full concentration, one can see that the shadow fades into the wall. Similarly, the shadow of the fox images fades into the floor. But this does not affect the linear perspective or the real shape of the images or figures. To be specific, the perspective technique made use by the artist provides originality to the artwork. Figures One can see that figure drawing is an important technique related to human figures within art. For instance, human figures in different shapes dominate the world of art in general. When this term ‘figure’ is superimposed into the context of the artwork, animal figures dominate the work. For instance, 23 fox figures dominate the artwork by refusing proper decorum within a dining space. One can see that decorum is important within a dining space. But in the artwork, the fox figures are not ready to be under the influence of human beings. On the other side, the human figures in the artwork are not ready to control the foxes. Besides, they are not disturbed by the fox figures because the human figures are not interested in it. The inanimate figures include tables (eight in number) and chairs (black in color). Besides, the figures in the artworks are in entirely different worlds. For instance, the human figures are in their own world and are trying to ignore the vigor of animal figures. Similarly, the animal figures are not ready to be under the control of the human figures. If the animal figures are under the control of the human figures, they will be begging for food. But close examination of the artwork proves that the animal figures are free and they are aware of the importance of cheerfulness in life. So, the proper combination of animal and human figures is one among the features of the artwork. Pose Pose (posture) is important within sculpture because specific posture determines the idea of the artist. If a mother is portrayed in an artwork, her posture will represent tenderness and motherliness. If a warrior is portrayed in an artwork, his posture will represent brevity. To be specific, artists adopt different poses to different images/figures to help the viewers to assess the character/quality of the same. In the artwork, the waiter’s straight pose is symbolic of his duty-mindedness. For instance, the waiter’s posture proves that he is ready to serve the customers in the background. On the other side, the customers are in squatting position and the same is symbolic of power. The posture of the foxes is most interesting because they are totally out of control. This uncontrollable joy is the reason behind the visible charm and novelty of the artwork. Some of the foxes are sniffing the food items, some are scratching their body, some are jumping, some are trying to hide, and some are fighting. This sort of playful pose breaks the seriousness of the artwork. In short, the artist makes use of pose (posture) to differentiate seriousness (human interaction) from playful attitude (animal interaction). Gestures One can see that art makes use of different gestures to freeze time and movement. To be specific, the time element is frozen in an artwork because movement is totally restricted. The artist exploits the importance of animal gestures because the same is uncontrollable. For instance, the gesture of the human images in the artwork proves that they aware of their social status. Sheri Klein stated that, “Skoglund’s use of puns in her titles, such as Fox Games, serve as a metaphor for relationships and life, and link the literal with the symbolic” (74). The waiter’s body language proves that he is aware of his duty. On the other side, the customers know that they are customers/guests and must act according to the situation. But the gestures of the fox figures in the artwork prove that the same is symbolic of animal life. The animals ignore the rules within the human world. So, they act according to their basic instinct and this determines their gesture within their domain of interaction. So, the usage of different gestures within the artwork proves that the artist is aware of the importance of gestures within the scenario of socialization and interaction. Summing, the artwork is symbolic of the progression from Renaissance to Rococo art within the scenario of art history. The artist knows that combination of different elements can transform an ordinary theme into a genuine work. Besides, the usage of different colors and light/shadow prove that the artist needs to astonish the viewers. On the other side, the artwork’s depth is interconnected with its perspective. In addition, the artwork is symbolic of the wise usage of figures within the limited framework of art. Similarly, the pose and gesture of different figures in the artwork helps the viewers to interact with the same with ease. In short, the artwork is a visual treat to the viewers because almost all stylistic features are inherent in the same to an extent. Works Cited Klein, Sheri. Art and Laughter. London: I.B.Tauris, 2007. Print. Appendices Appendix-1 Available at: - http://www.artsask.ca/en/collections/themes/interiorplaces/sandy_skoglund/fox_games Read More

 

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