Beginning the Journey Discussion
This discussion is two–fold.
For the discussion, you will identify a work of art to analyze and interpret.
Remember, it is important to use credible sites as you research. A site is credible if it is reliable, accurate, and trustworthy. Use the Website Evaluation Checklist to evaluate all sites prior to using their artwork.
Select one work of art and share your interpretation. Post the artist, title, location of image, and your answer the following question: what feelings, moods, or ideas is the artist visually communicating?
Read a post by one of your peers. Look at the work of art he or she interpreted. Search by the artist or title, then comment on his or her interpretation. Was your impression similar or different? Give reasons to support your opinion.
I chose the artwork "The Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh. The image can be found on the website of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
In this painting, van Gogh depicts a night sky with swirling clouds and bright stars. The artist uses vibrant blues and yellows to create a sense of movement and energy in the sky. The town below is painted in darker, somber colors, but there is still a sense of life and activity with the presence of buildings and a cypress tree.
To me, the artist is visually communicating a sense of beauty and tranquility in the natural world, even in the darkest of times. The swirling sky and bright stars evoke a feeling of awe and wonder, while the cypress tree and buildings suggest a sense of stability and grounding. Overall, the painting evokes a complex mix of emotions - a combination of peace, hope, and a hint of melancholy.
After reading a peer's post, I looked at their interpretation of "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dalí. This artwork can be found on the website of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York as well.
The peer's interpretation of the artwork was similar to mine. They mentioned that the artist visually communicates a sense of timelessness and the fleeting nature of time through the melting clocks. They also noted the dreamlike quality of the painting, which was something I also picked up on. Additionally, they mentioned the surreal and whimsical elements in the artwork.
Overall, I found our impressions to be similar because we both recognized the dreamlike and symbolic qualities of the artwork. The melting clocks and distorted landscape do give a sense of timelessness and the passage of time. Additionally, the surreal elements evoke a feeling of the subconscious and the imagination. I agree with my peer's interpretation because it aligns with what I also saw in the artwork.
Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Title: The Starry Night
Location of Image: Museum of Modern Art, New York
The artist, Vincent van Gogh, in his painting "The Starry Night," visually communicates a sense of tranquility, awe, and connection with nature. The swirling brushstrokes and vibrant colors create a dreamlike and serene atmosphere. The use of bright yellows and blues in the sky evokes a sense of wonder and vastness, while the cypress tree in the foreground adds a touch of mystery. The stars and crescent moon in the sky symbolize a cosmic connection and spirituality. Overall, van Gogh's "The Starry Night" conveys a sense of harmony between the natural world and the spiritual realm.
Now, let's consider a peer's interpretation of their chosen artwork and provide a comment on their interpretation.
Peer's Interpretation:
Artist: Salvador Dali
Title: The Persistence of Memory
Location of Image: Museum of Modern Art, New York
The peer describes Salvador Dali's painting "The Persistence of Memory" as symbolizing the fleeting nature of time and the subconscious mind. They mention how the melting clocks represent the distortion and fluidity of time, while the barren landscape and empty sea evoke a sense of loneliness and insignificance. The presence of ants suggests decay and the inevitability of time's passage.
Comment on Peer's Interpretation:
I agree with your interpretation of Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory" to a great extent. The melting clocks do indeed symbolize the fluid nature of time and the distortion of reality. The desolate landscape and empty sea create a sense of isolation and insignificance, reflecting the human experience of feeling small and powerless in the face of time. The presence of ants can be seen as a reminder of mortality and decay. Overall, your analysis successfully captures the surreal and introspective nature of Dali's artwork. Well done!