Valedictory Abstract Photo Examples

Rene Magritte Questions

1.     What is surrealism?
      
Surrealist artists developed their ideas from the strange things that happen in dreams. They juxtapose unrelated objects, placing them side by side, which makes them seem both real and surreal.

2.     What motif did Magritte use in many of his works? Why was this significant?

He used the motif of a man wearing a bowler hat to signify the time period, and how almost all businessmen like himself wore that bowler hat. Some think he used it as a symbol for himself. 

3.     In his work Golconda, why is it important that Magritte varied the image of the man in the bowler hat?  How does it add depth to the work?

The variation made the painting more dynamic and complex, and makes the viewer look into the piece more. It makes it less boring by giving the piece more perspective.

4.     Why did surreal artists choose to create strange worlds with their art?

They argue that, since we already know what the world looks like, why represent it literally on canvas? If our dreaming minds can create strange worlds, perhaps artists should try to do the same in waking life. For the record, I think this is brilliant, and I think this type of art is that type that holds just as much or more truth than a work of art that shows just what the world looks like. It is story truth vs. happening truth.

5.     Explain how the techniques of juxtaposition, altered scale, and language help Magritte explore Surrealism. 

They help him pull viewers into his compositions by using rich imagery, but doesn't provide all the answers, and in this way, the viewer becomes a part of the work. Every viewer's experience in seeing it changes the meaning of each painting.

6.     What would be a few reasons why Magritte would cover the faces of his subjects?

One theory says that it is because when his mother drowned herself, she was reportedly lifted out of the river with her clothes over her face. Another reason that I could think of would be to represent humanity in general. To represent humans without specific identity. Or, he might hide their faces because he wants to show how people all want to know what it hidden. I think he might hide their faces and make people wonder why their faces are hidden just to show that humanity is always worried with that they can't see rather than with what they can.

7.     Why did Magritte strive for realism & precision in his paintings?

He believed that realism allowed for the viewer to focus on the subjects of the work and not the techniques used to paint it. It also makes the scenes in his paintings seem all the more surreal.

8.     Google more of Magritte’s work and include 2 images that interest you.

o   Explain the technique(s) used to enhance the work

o   Hint – review the words in bold from the reading

Magritte uses juxtaposition of the canvas and the actual window to show how man wants to assume and fill in what he can't see. He once again hides a part of the window with the canvas.

Here Magritte again uses the apple motif as well as the curtain and blue sky with fluffy clouds motif. He also uses juxtaposition making a section of sky look like a curtain, and repetition of the curtain shape. In addition, he gives the painting a background, foreground, and middle-ground showing scale. 

Perception vs. Reality

Outward

What are peoples perceptions about you based on looks, clothing, actions, and stereotypes?  How do you present yourself at school? What does that look like?  How would you pose in a portrait to represent these notions?  What would you wear?  How would the light look for a studio shot? 

Create a list of words that describe the outward you.  Provide a written response and find visual examples of poses to aid in your shot-taking.

• Artsy
• Reserved
• Old
• Receptive
• Conscious
• Self-assured
• Calm
• Smart
• Interesting
• Funny
• Ambitious
• Irritable
• Relaxed
• Lazy
• Dry

This is a hard question for me to answer, because I think that I, along with a lot of other people, project myself differently when I'm in different social settings. I could get a whole different set of answers from someone in, say, my 7th period class, than from someone in my 6th or 4th or 9th. I don't really think that there is one concrete perception of my outward self. However, most people see me as an artsy kid. They think I am more reserved, and smart because of that, which I don't really think is true. I've been told many times that I am "interesting," but I don't think that they suggest the word's regular connotation when they say that. They just aren't really sure what else to say. I think people think these things because I do generally present myself more quietly and subtly. I am not overt about myself. People think I am interesting and smart because I haven't really proven them otherwise, but am not shy either. This gives me a sort of mysterious or artsy vibe. Also, I really am into art, so that probably has a lot to do with it too. -- To have this come across in a pose, I think I would do something that is closed off, but confident in the face, with either silhouette lighting or very bright direct light. I would wear something simple, but pleasing to the eye that sort of drapes over me fluidly. -- Sometimes, I think,  people also interpret this as being a bit arrogant. For that I would do upward angles of me, making myself look larger, maybe walking over things or seemingly crushing what is below me, and I would definitely use bright, hard lighting for that pose, and for irritability and self-assurance, i would do an intense stare into the camera.

Examples: 

Inward

Who is the real you that people are unaware of?  What is a side of you that people don’t know or necessarily can’t tell just by looking at you on the surface?  What are your interests/passions?  How can you represent this realistic viewpoint of yourself through imagery (no selfies)?  How can emotions, moods, and feelings be personified through a static image?  

Create a list of words that describe the inward you.  Provide a written response and think of images you’ve taken that describe your true self.  

• Tired
• Caring
• Self-reflective
• Stressed
• Uncomfortable
• Determined
• Indecisive
• Optimistic
• Doubtful
• Bored
• Adaptive

A lot of people don't know that I actually live and have grown up on a farm, and I certainly don't show that on the surface. So, I think I might use images of the countryside, or even of just the scenery around my home to show my inward self that people don't usually get to see. I think I display a confidence or self-assurance that I described above, but I'm really unsure of myself most of the time. So in a sense, I am just as much of a mystery to myself- I am just as "interesting" to myself-as I am to those around me. But i do know that I am tired. I might represent this using darker, more mystical landscapes, like a dark forest, or a city. Something that doesn't make much sense, but has an obvious complexity to it. 

Inward Self Contact Sheet 1

Surrealism: 6 Examples That Inspire Me

Surrealism Contact Sheet

Dada final

Color Block

Cut/Copy/Rearrange

Halftone Screen

Text

I liked working more spontaneous like this for the Dada project, but I don't mind working more planned either. I think both give very interesting results. One thing I noticed was that I never really knew when to stop editing a photo in this unit. The editing was really fun and more creative than we have done before, and you could do anything you wanted and make the pictures as abstract as you like, so sometimes I found I didn't know when the photo was finished. I ended up focusing a lot on composition, complimentary color schemes, and unity throughout the pieces, but I also tried to make each one unique- from my own photos, and from everyone else's. Overall, I think this unit was a great way to display photoshop skills, and I like that. Even though I didn't know when to end sometimes, I am very happy with the results of this project. I think my pictures are artistic and unique, and the freedom of the project allowed me to do this. If I could change anything or offer any advice, I would try to not get so hung up on one photo and just go with what I felt came naturally with the piece instead of trying to plan so much, and I also wish I would have got more pieces done. 

This project ties in with the Dada art movement because there was a lot of freedom with it, and it had much to do with chance and the abstract. You might look at some of these pieces and wonder why, which is what the Dada movement tried to do. 

:-)