The work of Michael Craig Martin - Essay Example

Changing Perspectives with Martin’s “Inhale Yellow” Introduction The works of Michael Craig Martin are specific to the time and culture that is surrounding contemporary times. The works that are provided are able to express different components that are a part of this lifestyle, while causing each individual to examine the ideologies of a contemporary lifestyle and what this means. In the work “Inhale Yellow,” there is a direct statement about the modern day living as well as the complexities which it brings. The techniques which are used in the painting, as well as the overall context which Martin defines creates a specific understanding of the work and what this means in contemporary society. By examining this piece, a spectator can make a direct link to personal, societal and cultural viewpoints that are based on the approach to the painting. Background of Painting The painting, “Inhale Yellow,” is part of a series of works created by Martin, specifically which were commissioned by the Manchester Art Gallery in May of 2002, specifically for the re-opening that they had during this year. The concept which was introduced by the art gallery was based on contemporary themes that are pertinent to the 20th century. This not only included the piece which is often only referred to as “yellow,” which is acrylic on canvas and 243.8 x 182.8 cm. Martin also created a series of inhale / exhale pieces that are exhibited by the side of this one, all which go along the side of this theme as well as the Manchester life style that is reflective for the art gallery. The commission to paint this work is one which was based on presenting modern themes, as well as Martin’s signature techniques, which include bright and vibrant colors to create a specific expression. The techniques were known to be combined with older renditions of the paintings which he had composed. The complete set included works that were on the walls as well as three separate canvas paintings (BBC, 2011: 1). The concept of this piece is one which is combined not only with the signature techniques of Martin. This is based on the main approach which Martin has to contemporary art as well as the philosophies and beliefs which he has acquired through time. Martin was born in 1941 in Dublin and is known as a conceptual artist. His earlier years were spent in Ireland and London, with his father working as an agricultural economist. In 1945, they moved to Washington DC where Martin was admitted into a Roman Catholic school then into a Priory School. He gained his interest in art through these schools, specifically because of the expectations of studying the stained glass and religious art work. In 1959 he attended Fordham University in New York City and received an English and History degree while continuing to study his art. It was after this time that Martin received the strongest influences, specifically with his decision to study in Paris at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere, which led to studies at Yale College where he studied under Josef Albers, Alex Katz and Al Held. These influences led to his understanding of minimalism, multi-disciplinary experimentation and color and form in contemporary styles. These several influences led to his contemporary style and his continuous influences with the contemporary art styles (Cork, 2006: 18). Each of these influences is essential to notice with the contemporary art, including the multi – disciplinary experimentation, minimalism and the large use of color and form. While Martin has moved most of his pieces into the ideal of conceptualism, there are still remnants of these forms that are a part of the painting. Martin’s philosophy is based on combining these elements with forms of experimentation, while allowing the concept to come before the other aspects of the piece. It is this particular influence that has allowed this piece to continue to be interpreted and to become a noticed piece of work. The main concept that Martin strongly displaces is with the idea of yellow and how this is a part of ‘inhaling’ the environment that he depicts through the artwork. Analysis of Painting The painting is one which is known to hold to the traditional works of Martin, combined with the modern artistic expressions and sense of experimentation for 20th century art. The main objective is to use color to create breaks between the different lines and to show the several objects as independent and combined with the overall piece. It is known that this particular style is similar to the comic strip idiom which gives a simple black outline then allows for room to allow for bright, strong colors to be portrayed. The result is a series of linear structures combined with arrangement of space and area, specifically which is defined by the large amount of space that Martin uses with the main piece. The result is the use of flat color, a technique which causes the images to look 2D, specifically because it contains no shading or lines and is depicted as mundane through the bold images (Birch, 2002: 1). The concepts which Martin conceives uses several elements that would create the opposite reaction as expected. When looking at the overall canvas, there is an understanding of chaos, something being in a state of a mess and things which are not proportionate to reality. The concept of the metronome as time being of the essence is one of the subtle meanings conveyed. The file cabinet, ladder and the pencil sharpener are also too big or too small, which emphasizes where the mind is placed as well as how this is not able to create the right approach and only creates chaos. The ice cube tray and the cassette tape, as well as the globe, also have this same ideal, where entertainment and knowledge are out of proportion and add into a forced sense of chaos. The techniques which are used lead to an understanding that the lack of perception creates the misunderstanding of the importance of the objects. The only object which has a realistic look is the chair, which shows the concept of relaxation and which provides a sense of getting out of the chaos that one is surrounded by. When looking at this specific painting, it can be seen that the main element is with the chair. The eyes are instantly drawn to the chair because of the color, perception and the elements which are surrounding it. At the same time, the other elements are seen as out of proportion, discolored and look as though they are in a state of chaos. By leaving the chair as the central object, it becomes the place in which one can breathe, or inhale, as the other elements are unable to create this specific feeling. The concept of yellow as the place of inhalation then becomes the focus of the eye, with the concept based on moving outside of the chaos and irrelevance, specifically in a work place, and moving into the chair, or relaxation area, to begin breathing. The depiction of the office as well as the concept of what occurs artistically then becomes the main association that one links to within the cultural depictions which Martin makes. The first element which is essential to the piece is the colors. This is known as one of the most important aspects that Martin uses. Each of the objects in the painting has one solid color. There isn’t shading, concepts of background or foreground using light or dark and there is little difference in the strength of the colors. All of them are seen as strong and as clashing against the other. However, the red orange, blue, pink and other colors in the background don’t match with the intensity of the yellow that is used in the chair. This is the only depiction of yellow in the entire painting. While there are fragments of yellow on a background file cabinet and with a ladder, these are more subtle and use a slightly different color that is darker than the center chair. This immediately draws the eye to the chair, specifically because it is a brighter color and stands out against the colors which form a sense of chaos with the piece. The color is important not only because of the bright colors that are used. There is also the need to notice what is missing in this painting. Martin doesn’t use shading, 3D structures, light and dark or other elements of color. There is also very little texture that is used, making the specific objects seem flat. This is important to note because it causes the eyes to not distinguish between the different objects. Instead, one can look at the piece and instantly think that each of the objects is only a splash of color and don’t have meaning behind them. The objects then become hard to identify because there isn’t depth perception, shading or other colors that are used. This is done purposely as it causes each of the separate objects to blend together, despite the different colors. However, there is the yellow chair that, while keeping the flat color, stands out from the others because of the lack of blending in, bright shape and as being the only color that holds the brightness against the others. The second element that is used by Martin is inclusive of shapes on the canvas. Martin paints in a 2D style with very little depth or perspective. This is reminiscent of the minimalism that is a part of the influence of Martin from earlier years. The aspect of having little shapes and distinct lines as the difference between the shapes becomes a main part of deciphering between the different objects. It can also be noted that the shapes are able to convey the background from the chair as the main portrait because of the simplistic shapes that are used. Each object is a set of squares with the globe being the only circular object. Even the light bulb that is used has a simplistic shape that is round and oval in perspective. The chair; however, doesn’t have the simplistic combination of circles and squares and instead uses the life like element of the chair, which includes a combination of several shapes that are placed together to make a different element. This helps the chair to stand out and allows the shapes in the background to accent the complexity of the chair, allowing one to inhale this as the better part of the office area. The perspective which is taken by Martin also offers a different outlook and concept with the piece. Martin doesn’t have any of the objects as life size. Instead, they each are blown out of proportion, specifically with an ice maker, pencil sharpener, cassette tape, drawer, world and light bulb. These make the concepts seem unimportant and unrealistic. However, it also makes the chair seem like it is life like as it is surrounded by the objects that aren’t in real proportion. The only object that has direct proportion is the file cabinet. However, when looking at this in perspective, it looks smaller than the chair, which is also not an accurate depiction of size. Instead of making the objects life like, there is an imaginary sense that is created through the painting, specifically to create a sense of animation and imaginary scenes, while the chair is the only realistic item in the painting. This causes the chair to continue to stand out against the others in the painting. The shapes, color, defined objects, use of flat images and perspective combine together to make the specific perception which Martin refers to. The concept is one which is inclusive of either an office or a home, as well as the several things that are in the area. In this particular painting, each of these elements becomes unimportant. They are not able to do anything but only set a background. Even the light bulb, cassette tape and pencil sharper are imaginary and don’t have a practical purpose. The concept is furthered because of the perspective which is used as well as the use of the background. However, the concept of the chair becomes important because of what it signifies. It is a place to rest, sit down, undo the clutter and to separate from the imagination of what is occurring around one in a given situation. The concept then pertains to inhaling the yellow, or learning how to breathe, despite the continuous movement and chaos that is surrounding the individual. The colors and the brightness, as well as the clutter of the piece, create an understanding that the spectator needs to move into a relaxed type of position. The elements then work against the main concept, specifically because bright, flat and lack of perspective, as well as chaos, create the opposite message. As the chair separates from the main idea of clutter, the mind also is able to inhale, or breathe in, the representation of yellow and what the chair stands for. These concepts are not only important in terms of the individual perspective and analysis of the painting. There is also an understanding that this is linked directly to the ideologies of society today. In the modern world, there is a sense of continuous movement, belief in going forward and the need to be on the go, all which creates a sense of chaos. Whether in the home or at the office, the idea of moving and continuous chaos is always perceived. At the same time, there is an identity with things that are needed, what needs to be done and how this relates to a sense of materialism. Martin shows all of these perspectives while creating a sense of how unrealistic this is as well as what the lack of perspective is on the inanimate objects that are in the room. However, the chair, concept of relaxation and the title of “Inhale Yellow” are able to create a different understanding of how the inanimate objects are not relevant to the main concept of the chair and the ideology that it brings. Choice of Artist and Painting The artist that was chosen for this particular analysis was done so because of the new and modern concepts which he takes. I was familiar with Martin before I began this project and understood the concepts of experimentalism, color and other expressions which he used. However, I didn’t understand how these philosophies applied or the differences which were given when Martin approached different pieces. I wanted to see how the philosophies which Martin had were able to move into a painting while he developed specific concepts that were surrounding his influences. My familiarity with Martin, as well as the limited knowledge of specific pieces of work, was the main reason why I decided to choose this artist. This painting was chosen because it is known as a representation of Martin’s style. The exhibit which was given for the opening of the art gallery was known to carry the same experiments and ideas as past works and was done specifically with a commission that drove forward the ideas of the paintings. This was relevant to the pieces and the decisions which Martin took in creating and re-creating his main works. However, it also works as a main presentation of how he approaches painting and different techniques as well as how he decides to work with concepts such as color and minimalism. It was these main philosophies of Martin that drove forward this piece that began to intrigue me. Despite the history, this particular piece intrigued me because of the concept behind it. When first looking at this piece, I didn’t like it. For this reason, I decided to look at the work closely and to examine what concept Martin was really trying to place with the design. The simplicity, bold colors and the general chaos which is initially seen in the piece all worked against my ideals of what a painting should hold. I naturally tend to like the pieces which hold more depth and which provide perspective through the simplicity of the design and the focus. However, this has none of the above elements. At the same time, it can easily be seen that the focus on the yellow chair and the concept which drives forward the message are easily seen. I wanted to examine why and how Martin was able to do this as well as what message was being given with the main ideology. When examining this piece, there was a sense of deeper appreciation and understanding with the message that Martin was trying to convey. I was able to understand the concept of the inhale / exhale that was a part of the piece, as well as how Martin uses the ideas of chaos, missed perspective, bright colors and simplicity to create a deeper message. The use of each of these elements becomes irrelevant when one focuses on the chair. Each of the techniques is used as a concept which works against the main techniques. The concept of the chair as a place of relaxation and a way to begin to examine a sense of peace becomes the main ideology. When looking at this closely and analyzing the main concepts, there is the ability to appreciate what Martin has done, as well as how he has used the techniques known best to create a different perspective and understanding of the modern world. Conclusion The concepts which Martin displays in “Inhale Yellow” provide a deeper meaning in contemporary society. When looking at this particular piece, one can see several objects and things that are out of proportion and which hold false representations of concepts such as color and depth. However, it is this main ideal that places the concept of the piece, specifically as the yellow chair stands out as a way to inhale out of the chaos and to relax into a different state of mind. The philosophy of conceptual work and the techniques which Martin uses to convey this is one which makes a strong statement within contemporary society and the ideologies which are now represented. References BBC. (2011). “Inhale Yellow: Michael Craig Martin.” Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/arts/2003/11/10/inhale.shtml. Birch, Tim. (2002). “Michael Craig Martin: Inhale / Exhale.” Manchester Evening News (May). Cork, Richard. (2006). Michael Craig Martin. Thames and Hudson: London. Martin, Michael Craig. (2002). Inhale Yellow: Painting. Read More