The Twentieth Century - Essay Example

The Twentieth Century KATHE KOLLWITZ You will find the Käthe Kollwitz Museum in Berlin. If you are uncomfortable with German, click either the English or the French buttons at the bottom of the page. Write about Kollwitz’s background. Answer- Kathe Kollwitz comes from a very humbling background. She was born in East Prussia. From birth, Kathe has traveled to many different areas in pursuit of her passion for art. Despite her passion for art, Kathe takes on the role of a wife and a mother of two.

She does not let her passion for art become interrupted by being a wife and mother, as she continues to teach about art. Not only does Kathe continue to teach art, she also explores different forms of art such as sketching, sculptures and self portraits. After spending a life dedicated to art, Kathe passes away just before the end of the war in 1945. 2. Compare and contrast Kollwitz’s prints and her drawings. Answer – Kathe’s prints and her drawings allow viewers to feel the emotion that she was portraying.

Many of her pieces have a strong feeling and an apparent view of what she is trying to convey. Manu of Kathe’s prints and drawings capture real life situations. Her self -portraits are very satisfying and capture what many may have been feeling during that time. Her drawings are an exact match as to what was happening in the early 1900’s, as they show war, fear and sadness that many felt. Although a large portion of her work focuses on sadness in life, her art that shows life’s happiness is able to capture life’s most treasured moments.

Many sculptures and drawings radiate life, happiness and joy. 3. Which piece do you have the strongest reaction to? Write about the elements and principles, the iconography and why you respond to the piece.Answer- Although many of Kollwitz’s art are breathtaking, the piece that I have the strongest reaction to is the Mütter, 1919. This drawing seems to represent a lot of feeling. Each person in the drawing has their own expression. The expression is different for each individual but still portrays the same message.

Some elements in the piece that allow me to have such a strong reaction are the way the adults are holding the children. They have a look of determination as well as fear while they protect their children. I respond to the piece so greatly as it represents what many families were going through during that era and it is an interpretation of real life. JACKSON POLLOCK1. Engage Pollock’s statement that “the modern painter cannot express this age … in the old forms of the Renaissance or any other past culture.

” What in this picture speaks specifically to mid-twentieth-century American culture?Answer- The statement made by Jackson is an accurate statement and example of why Jackson has taken on a new approach to creating art. Jackson was known for his new ways of creating art. He chose to express art in many different methods. These methods were different then what other artists were using as they stepped outside of the world of only using an art easel. One of Jacksons most famous pieces such as his drip paintings were a great expression as to how the mid-twentieth-century was shifting into a new age.

When Jackson states that the modern painter cannot express this age with basic forms of art is a very true and accurate statement since many new techniques and ways of life were being introduced. This meant that new ways to create art were also necessary. BASQUIAT1. How does Basquiat’s painting seem connected to modern abstract expressionism? Answer- Basquiat has his own style of paintings. He used graffiti, vibrant colors and words to express different feelings. His work is connected to modern abstract expressionism in a sense that he distorts images and uses un natural coloring.

He distorts images just as other paintings of modern abstract expression. These distortions help to create a specific emotion.2. In order to create contradiction and ambiguity, what organizational conventions are ignored? Answer- In order for Basquiat to create contradiction and ambiguity, organizational conventions are ignored when he uses techniques that are random. By random, it is meant that his work is not usual and the viewer can look at the painting multiple times and be able to find something new.

This keeps viewers wanting to see more and left with a sense of trying to figure out the piece as well as the artist. 3. How do graffiti, hobo symbols, and text crossed out with an “X” serve as icons for the artist? Answer- Many of the symbols and text that are crossed out with an “X” serve as icons for the artist in a sense that he was showing a strong feeling toward something that he did and did not believe in. He wanted the viewers to understand what he was trying to express. 4. How does the painting express postmodern dualisms, such as beauty/ugliness, power/powerlessness, homage/debasement, and so on?

Answer- The paintings represent post modern dualism as they portray mixed feeling. Many express such ugliness that is makes them beautiful. The power shown in many paintings seems as if they are representing a powerful message but also show a weakness in the artists sanity. Each paining created by Basquait is so disorientated that the viewer is left trying to figure out exactly what the artist was trying to portray. With paintings that have many different meanings, this is a great expression of dualism.

References"Basquiat." New York Amsterdam News 96.12 (2005): 23. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 30 Dec. 2011.