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.