Module 15 project 5

1.     1.  Use the vocabulary you have learned in class to describe this artwork or performance in detail.
When first looking at this piece the viewer’s eye travels around it looking for a place to start viewing it from. The viewer’s eye then gets led from the right to the left, because all of the beings point and are directed towards the left.  Many of the beings also stand out because of their value. The background is mostly dark gray, leading the viewer’s eye to the bright, white figures in front of it. The piece also draws in the viewer because of its varying textures. Some beings are filled with what looks like tiny words, creating a bumpy texture. Others are shaded making them appear smoother. Overall, the piece has large feeling of movement. When looking at t, it is hard to focus on one spot. Each spot leads the viewer’s eye onto the next.

1.       2. What processes were used to create this work? What social influences might the artist be responding to and why?
This painting is larger than life. In order to create something so big Picasso had to use a trail and error method, learning as the painting progressed. With each mistake he was able to find a solution that was better than the first. One Example of this is the fact that in the beginning Picasso was going to have a fist in the center. However, he felt this was too obvious and he replaced it with a bull. Picasso is responding in this painting to the idea of war and the horrors it brings.

3. What is the relationship of this work to the time and society in which it was created? Describe the symbols used to express this relationship.
The relationship between this painting and time period is very strong. This time was a time full of hate and war, and with that came death. This painting was done in order to show these horrors and be a symbol of anti-war. The beings within this painting are very abstract. This is done is order to further emphasize the pain and agony people are forced to feel because of war.  Evan the animals in this painting, horse and bull, are frozen in terror. This also emphasizes how war affects us all. Another element of the piece that symbolizes the terror, is the overall feeling of this whole piece. When the viewer looks at it they do not know what to do. This causes the viewer to feel stressed and uneasy, maybe even scared. This is what war does. War makes a person uneasy. It doesn’t allow a person to know who will and who won’t survive.  

4. Identify elements in the work that evoke a persuasive or emotional response. Be specific about what those responses are and why.
A major element that provokes an emotional response is the mother holding her dead child. When one thinks of war they think of soldiers dying. People who chose and knew the risk that they were putting themselves in.  This painting shows that this is not the case. War affects us all. Even the innocent who haven’t even had the time to know what the word war is, or even how to say it. When the viewer sees the mother, helpless, holding the only thing she was meant to protect, and failed to do so; they have no choice, but to start to feel emotional. They think of time sin their own life where they messed up, or let someone down that they cared about.
5. Evaluate what you perceive to be the strengths and weaknesses of the work.  Apply discipline specific vocabulary and concepts when describing your point of view.

I believe overall that this painting is a very strong piece. When first looking I felt the major emotions that I have explained above. At first I was lost and then once looking deeper I felt a connection. One major strength in the piece is the attention to detail. When looking at it at a glance one misses a lot of the content. However, after studying it the viewer continuously finds new aspects of it. This means the viewer will be able to examine this piece for a while without getting bored. This however, can also be a weakness of the piece as well. So many of the details are hidden, because of this the viewer could assume that there are none and dismiss the piece after a glance. 

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