Forms Follow Fiction Flashcards
Reversible anthropomorphic portrait of a men composed of fruit
By: Giuseppe Arcimboldo
- creating images made by fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and books
- Ment to display Rudolf II referencing his wealth (those objects represented rich during renaissance)
Aerial Rotating House
By: Albert Robida (1883)
- A future vision of Paris (1950) how technological advancement will affect
- Also mocking Paris poor air quality + overpopulation at the time (1883)
Late Visitors to Pompeii
By: Carel Willink (1931)
- He was fascinated by ancient Roman life and wanted to capture the experience of people exploring the ruins of Pompeii. Also showing the decline of Western civilization.
- Scene set: Ruins of Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius in the background (79 AD). Four men (not specifically identified individuals but Oswald Spengler at the back and Ferdinand Bordewijk at the front)
Our Lady of the Iguanas
By: Graciela Iturbide (1979)
-photograph, part of her larger series called “Juchitán of the Women.” Documents the indigenous Zapotec people living in the town of Juchitán, in southeastern Mexico.
-Photo captures a Zapotec woman carrying live iguanas on her head, forming a unique crown. Four Fishes shows a woman displaying fish for sale from the private space of her home, the clay and straw of the wall echoing the scales of the fish.
- strength and beauty found within indigenous communities in Mexico.
Strolling Saint
By: Pedro Meyer (1991) - mexican
- a saint hovers above the sidewalk, casting a shadow on the nearby wall. Meanwhile, a man in a vibrant shirt peers out from behind a blue tarp, and a woman guides a child up a staircase.
- Photographer combine three separate photos taken in Oaxaca, blending them together.
- The blue tones in the image (wall, tarp, woman’s jacket) blends themes.
- Using computer technology, The floating saint appears larger than life (the woman and child seem small in comparison).
- Merges reality with religious symbolism. (Magical Realism) , not purely fantastical but embedded in reality, yet infused with wonder.
The Romantic Dollarscape
By: Pedro Alvarez (2003)
- combines images of Cuban peasants with American dollar bill imagery, all in green tones resembling dollars.
- showcasing an exhibit called Queloides: Race and Racism in Cuban Contemporary Art.
- Queloides, in Spanish, refers to the social/cultural scars caused by racism. Despite efforts to eliminate racism in Cuba in the 1960s.
The exhibit serves as a protest by visual artists against this.
Weirdos of Another Universe
By: Avery Gibbs (2023)
-Our perception contains various “worlds,” : physical, figurative, conceptual, or cultural.
- Our understanding of these worlds changes as we gain new experiences. At different points in life, we may enter unfamiliar worlds.
- The author imagine a few humans in an alien world. Explores the feeling of being an outsider and finding one’s place in a new world.
Campbell’s Soup Cans
By: Andy Warhol (1962)
-Andy warhol painted around 30 giant soup cans because he used to eat soup every day for 20 years.
-Andy Warhol created the art work to challenge ideas about art. By portraying the familiar soup cans in a repetitive manner, he questioned the boundary between fine art and everyday objects.
-Reflects on American consumer culture in the 1960s while about the role of art in society.
Liberation of Aunt Jemima
By Betye Saar (1973)
- responds to the Black Power and feminist movements of the late 1960s.
- Using everyday objects, transforms the derogatory mammy stereotype into a symbol of empowerment.
- Saar’s picture of Aunt Jemima connected with increasing activism, among Black women. In this artwork, Saar celebrates the courage of everyday Black women and questions old stereotypes.
Liberation of Aunt Jemima : Cocktail
By Betye Saar (1973)
- Combines a mammy figure and Black Power fist on the handmade label.
- The label is attached to a California wine jug with a rag on the top, transforming it into a weapon against oppression the racist stereotypes of black femininity.
(was suggesting the bottle as a ‘bottle bomb’)
Kawsbob
By Kaws (2010)
-Kaws, Brooklyn who blends art and design in a unique way. explores humanity through his hybrid cartoon and human characters
- Mass produced collectable screenprints of a styized spongebob print. (similar to nfts)
- Made his work by putting exes through spongebobs eyes, like his famous trademarked character KAWS.
Charlie Brown Firstarter
By Banksy (2010)
- Painting of Charlie Brown smoking a dart and emptying a gas can was painted on the side of burnt building.
- The meaning behind portrayal of Charlie Brown as a firestarter is open to interpretation (as much of Banksy’s work. )
- Critique society’s tendency to idolize/romanticize childhood innocence while overlooking the potential for mischief or harm.
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Life, Miracle Whip and Premium
By Brendan O’Connell (2013)
- In this artwork, O’Connell deal with close contrasting effect with everyday consumer products = broader themes of life and value.
- “Life” likely represents existence or human experience. “Miracle Whip” is a brand of salad dressing, ordinary consumer goods. “Premium” indicate something of value.
- Together, these elements symbolize the intersection of everyday life with consumer culture, highlighting themes of materialism, and the value we place on objects.
The IoT (Internet of things)
- describes a network of devices that utilize “smart technology” (sensors, data, internet, etc.).
- The most common example being Smart fridges, umbrellas with weather forecasts, thermostats that turn on when you arrive home, etc. However many of these “innovations” just end up being useless products.
