"Formula of Autocracy", the art work I found from Michael Cheval, really impressed
me.
When I saw this painting from the first time, I remembered a painting mentioned in the class. That is "The Arnolfini Portrait". It was a record of the marriage of a couple. The man has traditionally been identified as the Italian merchant, Giovanni Arnolfini and his wife, Giovanna Cenami, but this has not been confirmed. This was a private wedding, the painter was a witness of this wedding and the painting acted as a marriage certificate.
Michael Cheval seemed to use "The Arnolfini Portrait" to be the reference of his painting, "Formula of Autocracy". In this painting, most of the objects, people and structure were the same. However, there were two men instead of a couple. They seem to be the same person, who is Putin, the president of Russia. In the painting, Putin grasped another Putin’s hand and he was taking an oath. Also, there was a crown on the ground instead of a dog. I think it is an ironic painting to Putin. It says that Putin just told an oath to himself only in a private environment instead of the Russian. The crown means the power and he is the king of Russia. Michael wants to mock Putin that he is autocracy, which matches the title of the painting.
Michael is a Russian. He does not agree with Putin’s work and thinks that he does not listen to others and the residents. He complains through the painting and use old popular painting as a reference. That is good to raise people’s attention. I believe that he cares about the politics of Russia. As a resident, we should care more about the politic and express your idea so that the country and the city can be improved.
Hi Choi,
回覆刪除The art work that you chose is interesting.What is the reason for you to choose this instead of the others? I mean, you have mentioned that Michael Cheval is a contemporary artist who specializing in Absurdist paintings. So why don't you choose the other artworks which can show more his special style?
In my opinion, this one is much more interesting compared with "The Arnolfini Portrait". I think you can tell more about the reasons why you think that it is an ironic painting. Also, you can tell more about the color.
Venus:)
It is really such an ironic politic related artwork. Putin is just marrying to himself. Also, it’s interesting to see the artist to keep reference with the original and make the right Putin, a man , the well-known Russian President to be pregnant. That’s even more ironic.
回覆刪除But why the artist changed the colour to be that dull, with yellow,grey and black as the main colour? Is that his expression for hopeless for Putin’s ruling?
Other than referencing, is there any reason for putting the crown on floor? As I think if Putin wears the crown on head that would be more expressive for his desire for power and autocracy.
This is an interesting piece to write about.
回覆刪除I think it would be worth analysing why the artist made the decisions he made. As commented above, why did he choose the colour palette? Why specifically replace the small dog with the crown? Have a look for other details and examine them also.
How does the piece make you feel? What emotional response (of any) does the painting cause?
Good choice though!
I think the two paintings are really comparable as they are very similar in composition. Good choice of reference! Maybe you can do more comparison on the background color and the things that been replaced in the two works. Of course with the reason behind as well! Is it because of the difference in the backgrounds of the painters to cause the replacement? You can have more explanations on that! All in all, you can have much to write about the two art work.
回覆刪除By the way, why is one of the Putin got a big belly ;)
Dear Choi,
回覆刪除The your post and in your presentation the artist's intention and political views are quite clear. For you final paper, I think it would be interesting to do an in-depth comparison of each element in the two paintings. As you have researched the original painting is full of symbolism - so which one's did the artist decide to use and play with? Some are obvious and some are probably hidden. This kind of work has a strong sense of satire and parody to it, what are these elements and how does it emphasize the artists message?