Big Idea: Materialism
Major Theme: Examination of material objects that signify wealth and happiness
Medium/Presentation: Oil paint on canvas
Visual Components: Balance, Direction, Line, Movement, Scale, Shape, Space, Texture, Value, Harmony
Category: Fine Arts
Description/Interpretation:
“Fashion Whipped” is a 2-dimensional painting and is 20X20 inches. In the background towards the left of the canvas there is a small cityscape that lies beneath a strip of puffy white and shadowy gray clouds. Throughout the cityscape and just in front of it are trees and bushes in abundance. The sky is blue with white clouds wisped in it. In the upper right-hand corner there is a moon that is almost full. Moving towards the middle ground of the piece we see a bridge held up by strong pillars overarching a small body of water. Just at the edge where the water meets the land on the opposite side of the cityscape, there is a small boat with three non-descript figures. Two of these figures are tending to the boat while the other sits on the edge of the “pier.” The foreground of the piece consists of a large dome-like structure that is a stiletto heeled shoe. A giant stockinged foot wears this shoe proudly. The shoe takes up much space in the piece which is why we can only see the cityscape on the left of the piece as the shoe is overlapping the other side of it. The stiletto heel is all black except for the bottom which is bright red. The top of the stiletto has an intersecting line pattern to it that appears to be shiny. The rest of the heel appears to be more of a matte finish but glistens in the sunlight seeping into the painting from the left-hand side. There are two working non-descript figures that are using a ladder to hang up a gold label on the red underside of the shoe. The large heel casts a shadow going to the right. The overall style of this piece is reminiscent of Salvador Dali with its strong surrealist nature. The painting is smooth and well blended which also contributes to its dream-like manifestation.
This piece elicits the idea that materialistic goods are the way to the “promised land” of wealth and prosperity. We can see that the boat has reached the end of the water to the/near the stiletto heel. It can be assumed that the figures traveled from the cityscape to the shoe as if they are trying to get to it and reach its all-powerful existence. The fact that the shoe is so big and, in the foreground, shows how much influence that it actually has among the figures who live in this area. This shoe and foot that is wearing the shoe appears to be stepping on the "little guys" quite literally and figuratively. This is omniscient of the power of the wealthy and how the wealthy uses there power to dictate. In the process, they are walking all over the less powerful and not as wealthy. The fact that this shoe is a stiletto heel and specifically has a red bottom is important because this is reminiscent of Christian Louboutin’s shoes in society today. These shoes are known to be very expensive. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez have even sung about these very shoes. The red bottom has become a signature for these shoes exemplifying high-class and gracious living. The non-descript figures in this piece are putting up the label of the shoe which also signifies the need for a label and how people buy material goods of certain brands or specific labels to show that they are wealthy. The sun is setting due to the strong cast shadows present and the moon being out, so this would mean that the piece is taking place at the end of the day. This deepens the overall meaning of the piece in the fact that the figures are just now reaching the other side where the shoe stands. It’s like they worked all day to get to the point that they are getting to. This is similar to people in real life who work all day and then buy these heels so they can wear them, show them off, and appear to be wealthy. The strong use of line and movement in this piece give off a feeling of upward motion. The stockinged foot pushes the piece upward and challenges the viewer to think about what is connected to the foot which would be leg in a vertical position. In art, upward motion that is strongly lit signifies heaven being above. In this piece, it’s as if the shoe is heaven and what we all strive to reach for.
“Fashion Whipped” is a 2-dimensional painting and is 20X20 inches. In the background towards the left of the canvas there is a small cityscape that lies beneath a strip of puffy white and shadowy gray clouds. Throughout the cityscape and just in front of it are trees and bushes in abundance. The sky is blue with white clouds wisped in it. In the upper right-hand corner there is a moon that is almost full. Moving towards the middle ground of the piece we see a bridge held up by strong pillars overarching a small body of water. Just at the edge where the water meets the land on the opposite side of the cityscape, there is a small boat with three non-descript figures. Two of these figures are tending to the boat while the other sits on the edge of the “pier.” The foreground of the piece consists of a large dome-like structure that is a stiletto heeled shoe. A giant stockinged foot wears this shoe proudly. The shoe takes up much space in the piece which is why we can only see the cityscape on the left of the piece as the shoe is overlapping the other side of it. The stiletto heel is all black except for the bottom which is bright red. The top of the stiletto has an intersecting line pattern to it that appears to be shiny. The rest of the heel appears to be more of a matte finish but glistens in the sunlight seeping into the painting from the left-hand side. There are two working non-descript figures that are using a ladder to hang up a gold label on the red underside of the shoe. The large heel casts a shadow going to the right. The overall style of this piece is reminiscent of Salvador Dali with its strong surrealist nature. The painting is smooth and well blended which also contributes to its dream-like manifestation.
This piece elicits the idea that materialistic goods are the way to the “promised land” of wealth and prosperity. We can see that the boat has reached the end of the water to the/near the stiletto heel. It can be assumed that the figures traveled from the cityscape to the shoe as if they are trying to get to it and reach its all-powerful existence. The fact that the shoe is so big and, in the foreground, shows how much influence that it actually has among the figures who live in this area. This shoe and foot that is wearing the shoe appears to be stepping on the "little guys" quite literally and figuratively. This is omniscient of the power of the wealthy and how the wealthy uses there power to dictate. In the process, they are walking all over the less powerful and not as wealthy. The fact that this shoe is a stiletto heel and specifically has a red bottom is important because this is reminiscent of Christian Louboutin’s shoes in society today. These shoes are known to be very expensive. Celebrities like Jennifer Lopez have even sung about these very shoes. The red bottom has become a signature for these shoes exemplifying high-class and gracious living. The non-descript figures in this piece are putting up the label of the shoe which also signifies the need for a label and how people buy material goods of certain brands or specific labels to show that they are wealthy. The sun is setting due to the strong cast shadows present and the moon being out, so this would mean that the piece is taking place at the end of the day. This deepens the overall meaning of the piece in the fact that the figures are just now reaching the other side where the shoe stands. It’s like they worked all day to get to the point that they are getting to. This is similar to people in real life who work all day and then buy these heels so they can wear them, show them off, and appear to be wealthy. The strong use of line and movement in this piece give off a feeling of upward motion. The stockinged foot pushes the piece upward and challenges the viewer to think about what is connected to the foot which would be leg in a vertical position. In art, upward motion that is strongly lit signifies heaven being above. In this piece, it’s as if the shoe is heaven and what we all strive to reach for.
Use in Teaching:
Vladimir Kush calls his work metaphorical realism. He works in a realistic style but uses a metaphor to convey an idea. I think that students could also work with the use of a metaphor as the topic for a project. This introduces students to combining different images that they may not have been seen together before. The academic language of juxtaposition would be discussed in class as well as surrealism. This project would hopefully get students used to putting together images that they may have not thought about putting together before. This teaches students about composition and to think outside the box. Objects that don’t necessarily belong together normally can belong together in art. There are no rules and that would be an important concept for students to explore in and of itself. When talking about the art movement of Surrealism to students, discussing its dream-like nature is a simple, more broken-down way for students to understand its rather complex nature. A possible assignment could be for students to use a medium to portray a dream that they may have had before (if they can remember one). This will get students thinking about Surrealism and how it consists of images that don’t always make sense together as well as its direct relation to something that they have personally experienced before. This would help students learn how to juxtapose images with a dream that they themselves actually have had; therefore, it would be more personal to them and they would be stepping into their subconscious. On the other hand, I could have students bring in a materialistic object that they treasure and re-create a sculptural piece of that object but also include text on the sculptural of abstract ideas that are an explanation of why they care about this object more. This would get students thinking deeper about why they care about this particular object so much. Some students may even realize that they do not have a good reason as to why they like that particular object. This would tackle the root idea of materialism.
Vladimir Kush calls his work metaphorical realism. He works in a realistic style but uses a metaphor to convey an idea. I think that students could also work with the use of a metaphor as the topic for a project. This introduces students to combining different images that they may not have been seen together before. The academic language of juxtaposition would be discussed in class as well as surrealism. This project would hopefully get students used to putting together images that they may have not thought about putting together before. This teaches students about composition and to think outside the box. Objects that don’t necessarily belong together normally can belong together in art. There are no rules and that would be an important concept for students to explore in and of itself. When talking about the art movement of Surrealism to students, discussing its dream-like nature is a simple, more broken-down way for students to understand its rather complex nature. A possible assignment could be for students to use a medium to portray a dream that they may have had before (if they can remember one). This will get students thinking about Surrealism and how it consists of images that don’t always make sense together as well as its direct relation to something that they have personally experienced before. This would help students learn how to juxtapose images with a dream that they themselves actually have had; therefore, it would be more personal to them and they would be stepping into their subconscious. On the other hand, I could have students bring in a materialistic object that they treasure and re-create a sculptural piece of that object but also include text on the sculptural of abstract ideas that are an explanation of why they care about this object more. This would get students thinking deeper about why they care about this particular object so much. Some students may even realize that they do not have a good reason as to why they like that particular object. This would tackle the root idea of materialism.
Discussion Questions:
- Who can describe what they see in this piece?
- What is Surrealism?
- Does this piece remind you of anything? If so, what does it remind you of?
- Is this piece confusing to you at all? Why or why not?
- What elements/principles of art can you identify in this piece?
- What is materialism? Please give me an example.
- What statement is the artist trying to make through this piece?
- Do you feel like you live in a world that is too materialistic or too idealistic? Why or not?
- Do you care to purchase branded items? Why or why not?
- Are labels important to you? Why or why not?
- Do you feel like you live in a society where labels are important? Why or why not?
- What would you consider when juxtaposing two images that don't normally go together?
- What is a materialistic object that you care about a lot? Why is it important to you?
- Please explain to me a dream that you have had. How would you visually depict your dream considering juxtaposition and surrealism?
Source:
http://vladimirkush.com/fashion-whippedoil-1011
http://vladimirkush.com/fashion-whippedoil-1011