Graphic Playground

Graphic novels are a world of color and light. The images contained in each novel are bound only to the reality of the artists' imagination. Mice become men, creatures from other worlds invade reality in a burst of color, doors open in the sky, and bodies are distorted at the whim of the creator. 

In this set, "Graphic Playground", I wanted to explore the imaginary playground of imagery that is the world of graphic novels. By translating images from nine different works, I was able to test the limits of my photoshop and interpretive abilities. Each novel was carefully chosen for its fantastical qualities pertaining to light source, color and subject matter. 

Artist Analysis #9

Image from the series "Wonderland"
by Kirsty Mitchell

The set "Wonderland" was created by photographer Kirsty Mitchell as a way of honoring her mother who had recently passed away. Mitchell described her mother as a great storyteller and felt that creating a fantasy world through her photography would be a good way to keep her mother's memory alive. The entire set uses bold colors, costuming, props and location to create a story through imagery rather than words. The color purple is used to keep a running continuity throughout the images in this series.

I chose this image in particular both for its bold colors and graphic qualities. This image features a model running through a field, holding an umbrella that releases above it a cloud of blue smoke. The image is cropped in such a way that the model fills the frame from top to bottom. The background elements (the ground, horizon, and sky) recede behind her, with the horizon intersecting at the model's waist. The rows of flowers on the ground create a graphic element that pulls the viewers' eyes to center, further focusing attention on the model/actress (the heroine of the "Wonderland" story). The expression on the subject's face, as well as the cloud of smoke billowing from the top of her parasol, create the illusion of movement, giving the audience the impression that she is running from something. This image (as well as the rest of the images in the "Wonderland" series) are, in my opinion, an excellent example of a photographer's ability to create a narrative solely through imagery.

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A gif of my delicious and nutritious breakfast, courtesy of the Sub Market and Ritz...

Artist Analysis #8

Artist Analysis #8

Morimura Yasumasa

"Exchange of Devouring" (2004)

Photographer Morimura Yasumasa stands posed on a black background, gripping the remains of a corpse as he howls into the air. His photograph "Exchange of Devouring" is a recreation of the Francisco Goya painting "Saturn Devouring His Son". Known for his recreations, Yasumasa uses a mixture of photography and digital manipulation to emulate various works by other artist. In this image, Yasumasa uses both lighting and digital enhancement to recreate the Goya painting (he also relies on the fame of the image and the audience's ability to immediately recognize the subject matter). Interestingly, Yasumasa's pose is not an exact mirror of the original work. He stands upright with one leg lifted into the air, his body facing to the right. The subject looks into the air, screaming. In the original Goya painting, however, the subject is crouched down, with his victim's remains still hanging from his mouth. It is Yasumasa's use of light and setting that most help the viewer recognize this as a replication of the Goya painting (as well as the tiny, headless body the model holds). 

Researching Yasumasa, it is clear to see a divide in the art community's feelings towards his recreations. Some do not believe that his photography can be elevated to the level of "high art" because they are merely recreations and not original works. Other's see his body of work as an appropriation of popular images. Yasumasa has also been know to incorporate audience participation into his exhibitions, once including a photo booth at his show that allowed audience members to superimpose themselves on to famous works.