Black Squares

  

 ORDER                                                  

  The 4 squares show order because they are all positioned symmetrically which to me shows some sense of order. 

 BOLD
This is bold because three black squares with one in the middle positioned differently shows that this black square is bold and out of place. 

INCREASE
You can see in this photo how the shape
increases from black or white. 

  PLAYFUL
 This photo is upside-down however it is showing playful, you notice this with the decrease in sizes with the black squares, showing a happy mood in sizes.

Tension
Should be self explanatory as to why this
shows tension, you notice this because the black occupies
almost all the space in the square altogether. 

 Congested: The reason why i think this shows congestion is because they are both extremely close to each other, they are creating some form of tension because they are both equal in every way.

Critique....1. Lorna Simpson (Untitled (2 Necklines)

Stefan Miller

Title: “Untitled (2 Necklines)”

Artist: Lorna Simpson

Date: 1989

Site: http://www.thecityreview.com/lsimpson.html

                In this photograph I see two necklines, hence the name. The words condescending through the middle give meaning to the two adjacent pictures. Surround, ring, lasso, noose, eye, areola, halo, cuffs, collar, loop (colored in black) and feel the ground sliding from under you (colored in red) give true meaning towards the photographs. The first woman in the circle is positioned as if she is leaned or disturbed, it almost looks as if her feelings have been obstruct, as if she wants to feel sad about something. Her lips give off a bad vibe, in no ways does she appear to be happy, and she is emotionless. The picture is giving off a reflection as if it was intended, almost as if you are supposed to see through her. The picture on the right is not the same as the other, her lips are calm, and her blouse is put on to its utmost potential. Nothing about her is wrong, she looks relaxed. They are both wearing a white blouse, and they are both in geometric circular frames side by side with words in the middle.

                There are two geometric shapes, the pictures are in circular frames, and the words are in rectangles. The shades contrast with the vivid red that is put at the bottom (middle).  The Dominance found in this piece are the textual writing that have related meaning to the picture, they dominate because they give more potential than the pictures itself. The photograph is symmetrical with two shapes on either side that are of the same shape and size as well as the words that descend from top to bottom. The picture also provides harmony and unity, because of the subtle use of geometry and color, they are positioned in such a way that it appeals to the audience.

                To me, this art work appears to be interpreting African-American women, and the hardships that are faced with being one. The letters tell us about the pictures and how they correspond. The clothes that the lady in the first photograph is the same, but the positioning of the clothes has no similarities, the blouse is slowly falling off, giving a sense that someone is doing this to her. Her emotions are in no way happy, she is putting me in a position that makes me want to know more about her situation.

The word “surround”, could mean what is around them, they could be surrounded by good or bad, in my opinion I would have to notion that the photo on the left is bad, and the photo on the right is good. The photo on the right gives off a vibe that her surroundings are perfect and that nothing can get in her way, although she is dressed the exact same way as the other; she is presented in such a way that makes her impervious.

Her lips appear to be smirking as if she’s done well or as if she’s gotten rid of her bad surroundings. The word “ring”, could mean a marriage, symbolizing her spouse.

To me the picture looks like a before and after, seeing as her posture and her expression has changed, and the words that are written could mean what has changed now that she is happy. I am interpreting this photograph as a change for the better, because before she was broken down, her clothes were not on properly, her face was disturbed. Her image had a reflection as if she was being barricaded and stuck; she was trapped in this world. The second image to me looks as if she got out, there is no reflection her clothes are the same but they’re adjusted.

The artists view on the world from this picture is that women are trapped in certain relationships that they cannot get out of, they are helpless without hope. The words that she used are “feel the ground sliding from under you”, this could mean that she is finally able to let go and become free. The artist believes that women are bound by something, and in this picture this women is getting freed, and her ground is falling beneath her because she no longer needs to walk on it. The artist expresses her content with letters and pictures, two forms of art that better describes her depiction of African-American Women.

“Lorna Simpson, one of the foremost figures in conceptual photography and installation art, began to exhibit in the early 1980s while in graduate school at the University of California in San Diego. Her early works question the authority of photographs as bearers of factual truth, attacking, in particular, stereotypes attached to African American females.

In the late 1980s, Simpson concentrated increasingly on text-image interventions and serial imagery. Untitled (2 Necklines) is exemplary of this period. Two identical black-and-white photographs of a woman, shown from her lower chin and mouth to her breast bone, hang in matching black circular frames on either side of a vertical column of black-and-white plaques. All but one of these plaques bear a single word—ring, surround, lasso, noose, eye, areola, halo, cuffs, collar, loop. These references to encirclement combined with the round shape of the photograph evoke the menace of lynching. The final textual panel, larger than the rest, makes this threat explicit; set against a blood-red background, the white words read, “feel the ground sliding from under you.” Manipulating language and form, Simpson subverts the serene beauty of these photographs and converts aesthetic seduction into a compelling picture of aggression and victimization.”

The artist’s intent was to show seduction and the way that she interpreted this was through a variety of conceptual art, she used writing and pictures. My thoughts have not changed, seeing as my thoughts on the art were the same as the artist’s intent.

I have learned that looking closely and fining change in such simple art is excruciatingly important, having that keen eye and being able to interpret what the artist is saying allows me to understand more. Lorna used words in her photograph without these words it would have made it harder to understand the meaning but, at the same time the different emotions on her face and the posture told me just as much.   

Symbols

These are the 10/20 symbols that Gavin and I found, and thought were interesting
to look into to

My Symbols


Heart

 The heart is one of the most important and vital 

organs in the body. The heart is also known as a symbol of love

and compassion shared between two human beings. 

Butterfly 

The butterfly is a symbol known in the Christian faith as a reminder of the amazing transformation that takes place throughout Jesus' redemption and regeneration.

 Cross
                                                                 

 

The cross is used for the Christian religious faith as a symbol that reminds of us how Jesus dies on Calvary to die for our sins. 

  Phoenix 

 

The Phoenix is a symbol of the sun, or a mystical rebirth. resurrection and immortality.

Unicorn

To many Agers the symbol of the Unicorn means healing, wisdom renewal, eternal life, self-knowledge and purification.   

Angel

The angel represents the symbol in most religions as the good and evil spirits. 

   

    Bats

Bats symbolize good fortune in the East, and also represents demons and spirits in the medieval Europe.  

Circle 

The Circle in numerous cultures and religions symbolize unity, wholeness, infinity.  

Cow

To the Egyptians the cow symbolizes the sky goddess Hather, to Buddhist, enlightenment, and is considered to be one of the highest and holiest stage to Hindu. 

Lion

An ancient symbol that means dominion, power, ferocity and bravery. 

       Gavin's Symbols

 Symbol: The Cross

This symbol is used by Christians, it represents the death of Jesus Christ and his resurrection in the new life. The cross also represents how Jesus Christ freed us from sin and opened the gates to eternal life in heaven.

Symbol:Pentagon

Symbol used in witchcraft. Represents elements such as earth, wind , fire and water

Symbol:Nazi

Symbol used in world war 2 era. Represents the Nazi army lead by the famous dictator Adolf Hitler. The objective of the Nazi was to persecute all Jews.

Symbol: Corrosive

Warning sign indicating acid will burn the skin

Symbol: Washroom

Indicates where a washroom is located

Symbol: Stop Sign

Indicates the vehicle to stop

Symbol: The Olympic Rings

The symbol representing the Olympic games where many countries take part in.

Symbol: Handicap

Symbol representing where there is access for mainly people in wheelchairs.

Symbol: Radiation

Warning sign indicating there is radiation

Symbol: Star of David

Symbol used during the world war 2 era. Represents the Jewish identity