1. Describe the 'style' that Kruger has used in the two presented works.
Kruger has used a contemporary style in her two art works. In her 2 pieces she has kept the use of colour and texture quite simple. She stuck to a 3 colour scheme on both pieces which I thought was effective because it stopped the work from looking too busy and focusing more on the point of the art instead.
2. What are some of the concepts and messages that Kruger is communicating in them?
"Barbara Kruger takes that sentence, "I shop therefore am" to a materialistic level - in other words, a person is defined not by what they think, but what they own (through shopping)."
And for her otehr piece, 'Face It', it says, 'FACE IT, this luxurious garment won't make you rich or beautiful'. She is trying to send out a message that no matter what you wear, its not going to make you look any richer or any more beautiful, because at the end of the day, its what's on the inside that truly matters.
3. Do these images communicate these ideas effectively? Explain your answer.
Yes it does communicate the idea effectively. Its straight to the point and its directly aimed at people who think that the way they dress is going to make them look better or feel richer.
4. Define the concept of Mercantillism and explain how these two examples can connect with the concept.
I am not sure how to answer this question. I could not find any thing that showed how this related back to the art work.
5. Upload a more recent example of Kruger's work where she has used a new medium, that is not graphic design. Title your image of the chosen work and comment on your response to the work. How do you think the audience would experience this work?
Your Body Is a Battleground
I did some research on this piece of work and think that the message that is being sent to the audience is a good one. "It is a piece of artwork taken and used to sell an idea and furthermore the particular belief set espoused by Kruger. The image was used originally in a Washington DC march advocating a pro-choice position and reproductive rights for women."
Barbara Kruger - Face It! - Artwork details at artnet (2001)
What is Contemporary Art? (2000)
What is the meaning of "i shop therefore i am"? - Yahoo! Answers (n.d.)
Thoughts From the Temple of Hera: Your Body Is A Battleground
Image for Question 5
ReplyDeletehttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/_fnsOmb0Fvog/SrMmUuLFQsI/AAAAAAAABtA/c548Us1N674/s400/BarbaraKruger-Your-body-is-a-battleground-1989.jpg
I agree with what you said about Kruger using simple colours and textures to let her viewers focusing more on the point and the message she's trying to convey with her art work. Her work did caught my attention because of the simple combination. I agree with what you commented about the second art work, "She is trying to send out a message that no matter what you wear, its not going to make you look any richer or any more beautiful, because at the end of the day, its what's on the inside that truly matters." It is very true and I feel the same way. The inside does matter more, no matter how well anyone can dress, if the inner side of them are ugly, everything about them are ugly.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Barbara Kruger's style is contemporary art work and her simply work effect the focusing. and i like how u answer the question2, your answer was easy to understand and showing what i wanted to say. same as question3. I agree the question4 is difficult to make answer, i was not sure too..
ReplyDeleteI agree that the point of the words in her work is aimed at people who dress to look better and feel rich. But it's what's on the inside of people that count, not the appearance. Your answers are easy to understand. I enjoyed reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteKrugers main motive is to convey the message of her artwork. She uses a simple combination of color with bold text to put forth what she means. I agree hat her messages are meant to target the higher society.
ReplyDelete"in other words, a person is defined not by what they think, but what they own (through shopping)" Rather than shopping being a chore, it has evolved into a hobby. Due to this evolution, it has resulted in materialistic attitudes and now, Barbara Kruger has decided to emphasis that we don't need monetary valuables to be happy.
ReplyDelete