Line
Artist analysis: Laszlo Maholy Nagy
" Relentlessly experimental"
Laszlo Maholy Nagy was a Hungarian painter and photographer born 1895 and died 1946. He was a professor at Bauhaus school and his main interests was in the integration of technology and industry into art, because of his work in these areas he has been described as a pioneer in painting, drawing, photography, collage, sculpture, film, theater, and writing. In his works such as light space modulator you can clearly see the influence of industrial/technological themes which is evident in the shapes and materials he uses. The use of materials such as steel reinforces the idea of a modern world and makes the viewer think of the change in technology and advancements like the industrial revolution. He has used steel to distance his art from older pieces which may contain wood and natural materials that symbolise the past and a more primitive humanity, this new art represents humanities shift from using materials like wood to now using machined steel in the modern age.
Laszlo Maholy Nagy was a Hungarian painter and photographer born 1895 and died 1946. He was a professor at Bauhaus school and his main interests was in the integration of technology and industry into art, because of his work in these areas he has been described as a pioneer in painting, drawing, photography, collage, sculpture, film, theater, and writing. In his works such as light space modulator you can clearly see the influence of industrial/technological themes which is evident in the shapes and materials he uses. The use of materials such as steel reinforces the idea of a modern world and makes the viewer think of the change in technology and advancements like the industrial revolution. He has used steel to distance his art from older pieces which may contain wood and natural materials that symbolise the past and a more primitive humanity, this new art represents humanities shift from using materials like wood to now using machined steel in the modern age.
Laszlo Maholy Nagy works within the theme of sculpture. In his exploration of sculpture, he has carefully considered material choices in order to convey the themes of modernism and technology. A narrative of mans progression is created through exploration of material. His sculptures are constructed from steel and glass. These two materials compliment each other since both display a bright, shiny and modern aesthetic. The theme of technology and modernism has been achieved by the way he has manipulated the materials in order to represent a new technological age. The materials flow and intertwine, they imitate the inner working of a machine and how modern architecture consists of inner steel beams supporting concrete.
The flow of the materials has also been done to connote the idea that his sculptures assume the form of an organic shape, however the materials used are manmade. This shows mans technological progress from the use of natural materials to modern ones such as steel furthering the portrayal of narrative. This links to his theme of shape which is ever present in each of his sculptures. The sculptures feature various circles, dials and rectangular grids. The stamped out circles symbolise the precise workings of a machine, its motion cutting each perfect circle from the materials endlessly and repetitively.
Rhythm is one of theme that works its way into every sculpture, this is displayed in the constant threading of metal wires through holes in the piece. Rhythm has also been portrayed in the use shape, every piece of the sculpture links to the other. The metal clock like structure (image 1) is linked together via its form involving circles and steel grating, the effect of this is we view the sculpture as if it were a working machine. This has been achieved by every perfect piece deceivingly merging into a single form. The theme of technology and modernism hasn't been compromised anywhere and this is why the viewer sees the sculpture as a mechanism.
The flow of the materials has also been done to connote the idea that his sculptures assume the form of an organic shape, however the materials used are manmade. This shows mans technological progress from the use of natural materials to modern ones such as steel furthering the portrayal of narrative. This links to his theme of shape which is ever present in each of his sculptures. The sculptures feature various circles, dials and rectangular grids. The stamped out circles symbolise the precise workings of a machine, its motion cutting each perfect circle from the materials endlessly and repetitively.
Rhythm is one of theme that works its way into every sculpture, this is displayed in the constant threading of metal wires through holes in the piece. Rhythm has also been portrayed in the use shape, every piece of the sculpture links to the other. The metal clock like structure (image 1) is linked together via its form involving circles and steel grating, the effect of this is we view the sculpture as if it were a working machine. This has been achieved by every perfect piece deceivingly merging into a single form. The theme of technology and modernism hasn't been compromised anywhere and this is why the viewer sees the sculpture as a mechanism.
Light is a major theme found in my chosen artists work. Lighting is used in multiple ways to portray certain aspects of the sculptures. One way lighting has been used is in order to give his mechanisms life and simulate them working. This is best illustrated in the clock like structure, in which lighting has been used to cast shaped shadows as well as add colour to the piece. The effect of doing this is that the sculpture now act as an working machine processing the light and turning it into a shadow. The clever positioning of coloured lighting means the shadow emits a glow of red and blue. This connotes working technology similar to the way bright flames can been seen coming from a combustion engine or how electricity creates an ominous blue glow.
In my exploration of Line I have experimented with the use of light, background, creativity and composition. In picture 2 I have used a red diffuser in order to highlight the tube, the red light diffuses onto the top if the tube leaving the lower end white. The picture has been taken centrally using the light to split the left and right side of the centre linear object, the use of the black background to help create a silhouette helps to emphasize the lines on some pictures such as picture 2 and make it the focal point. I have chosen a black background creating a focus on just the items and more specifically the lines which means the viewer is not focusing on the background or the scale. One of my photos contains the reflection of a bottle. I have used a strong light in order to propel the light through the bottle producing a strong reflection with a light blue colour and wavy lines passing through the bottle. I have constructed this shot in a way to make the viewer thing of themes such as water, the wavy pattern produced by the bottle as well as the white background helps to emphasize the simulation of water in the viewers mind which relates to line because of the wave pattern produced by the sea.
Photoshoot
In this photoshoot, I wanted to explore material via the combination of textures, materials, light, patterns and shutter speed. I have selected to photograph this shoot using black and white background to draw attention to the sculpture and materials rather than a location. I have used the white background in order to shine light through the sculpture in order to create a silhouette of the sculpture, I have also positioned the light in order to shine through coloured transparent plastic forming new shapes on the background. This use of formal elements and material is similar to photographer Dee Sands who similarly uses combinations of material to portray themes such as the modern materials used to construct a place such as New York Dee Sands Artworks | Saatchi Art. I have taken inspiration from both Nagy an Sands. The theme of technology can be explored in so many ways, I have chosen to display it in a way that causes tension and curiosity via the use of various formal elements. The use of material like steel connote mans progression into a technological age whilst the reds invoke negative emotion stemming from the mechanical sculptures. In Nagy's work his sculptures become almost menacing when cast as a shadow with additional blue and red light being emitted. I have also experimented with using shutter speed to capture a swinging sculpture similar to that of a pendulum of a grandfather clock, a complex piece of technology. Although I have been able to successfully capture texture, material, lighting and pattern I lack the facilities to explore shadow in the way Nagy does with large shadows with lights beaming from all different directions forming multiple different silhouettes.
Edits in style of artist
Edit Response
The main focal point of my edited images is the use of formal elements to explore the object. Shape can be found within the image in the form of organic and mechanical forms. The stockings forms an organic shape on the outside of the sculpture whilst the steel interior represents the inner working of a machine with chaotic wiring. Another use of shape would be the casting of the circular shadows formed from the stamped out holes in the ruler, the repetition represents the repetitive motion of a machine. I have employed the use of colour and texture in a way that portrays the materials as mechanical. I have used beiges and a yellow lightbulb to connote that the sculpture is unalive similar to an old mannequin. Reds have been used to connote a darker side to mans enlightenment and progression enhancing more and more aspects of the modern world such as machines. The red symbolises he potential for failure and danger just as how when red light is displayed it often is negative, like if a machine is malfunctioning. These elements create a mood of tension since machinery is an oxymoron to life. Exploration into the use of modern materials and technology could benefit humanity how ever due to machinery and life being polar opposites how can we fully understand it. This is why I used red light to portray the ever lurking danger of progression into the unknown. The colour and saturation have been enhanced in one image to give the effect that the machine is producing immense heat and is red hot like molten metal. The effect of this is it displays how machinery and modern materials are superior to man and can withstand immense heat. Lighting has been used to highlight the form of the object. Artificial red light and soft lamps have been used to draw attention to parts of the sculpture, for example the sculpture appears red entirely however a second light has been used to illuminate the mirror. The effect is that the materials properties have been explored connoting that each material has a purpose and use.
From my work looking at Laszlo Maholy Nagy I gained an understanding into how to explore material, lighting, shape and how these themes can be used to portray a narrative like the mechanical one found in Nagy's work. I began to explore the theme of form and exploration of that element, this is why I have selected Irving Penn as my next chosen artist. This artist use of form is central to his work compared to Nagy were material and lighting and shape are greatly emphasized. Penn purely explores form in a deeper manner, use of natural objects such as skulls, shells and insects have been used to convey the focus of formal elements. What I would like to learn from Penn is how to make the form of an object the focal point, from what I observed he softens the use of colour and uses central framing to draw the eye to the formal elements within the image.
Exploration Of Form
Artist Analysis: Irving Penn
"I can get obsessed by anything if I look at it long enough. That's the curse of being photographer".
Irving penn was an American photographer who was born in 1917 and died in 2009. He is known for fashion, portraits and still lifes. He has worked for vogue magazine as well as many other advertising companies. I am interested in his work because of his transition from black and white to modern coloured images, I like in particular the way he highlights the 3d form. In his modern work he uses the genre still life to help people understand the 3d forms of objects, he is effective at this due to the range of objects used in his photography. In his still lifes he uses objects ranging from organic materials to industrial and modern items like money, when he uses these objects he highlights the form of them via the use of shadows and types of lighting. His pictures are realistic and focused because he uses objects such as skulls which contain lots of details and shadows and have a complex natural 3d form. Irving has used white backgrounds to ensure that you are focused on the silhouette of the object as well as the depth of field within the objects. Evidence of the rule of 3 is displayed in his pictures that are shot on a surface rather than a background. One picture has a plate with folks and a cloth which has been set on a table with the edge visible. This is effective because you get a sense of realism and depth of field within the photo and it has been set up with careful placement to make it appear like a snapshot of a scene.
Irving penn was an American photographer who was born in 1917 and died in 2009. He is known for fashion, portraits and still lifes. He has worked for vogue magazine as well as many other advertising companies. I am interested in his work because of his transition from black and white to modern coloured images, I like in particular the way he highlights the 3d form. In his modern work he uses the genre still life to help people understand the 3d forms of objects, he is effective at this due to the range of objects used in his photography. In his still lifes he uses objects ranging from organic materials to industrial and modern items like money, when he uses these objects he highlights the form of them via the use of shadows and types of lighting. His pictures are realistic and focused because he uses objects such as skulls which contain lots of details and shadows and have a complex natural 3d form. Irving has used white backgrounds to ensure that you are focused on the silhouette of the object as well as the depth of field within the objects. Evidence of the rule of 3 is displayed in his pictures that are shot on a surface rather than a background. One picture has a plate with folks and a cloth which has been set on a table with the edge visible. This is effective because you get a sense of realism and depth of field within the photo and it has been set up with careful placement to make it appear like a snapshot of a scene.
He has used diffused lighting in order to create a shadow on the focal objects, in the oyster picture this has been done to draw focus to the form of the object. He intentionally uses light to make you consider and appreciate everyday objects 3d form. In the skull photo the use of diffused lighting is apparent and helps to make features stand out such as the eye sockets and teeth. Irving has used colour to his advantage in his images, in some of his picture he has chosen items which draw the eye for example the jade beetle or the bee on red lipstick. This is effective because it is a brilliant way to draw focus to parts of a photo like the beetle which is centred. Irving also works in black and white which is good because it challenges both the photographer and the viewer since they both have to find a way to see something in the picture. In his black and white photos he has done a lot of close ups on people which means he can use them to convey emotions, this is evident in most of his picture where the person has a surprised or serious look. To further convey emotion he uses harsh lighting in order to create a dark shadow on half the persons face, this works because the harsh lighting draws out many small details in the persons expression. The people in his photographs wear costumes that will create an interesting silhouette as well as shadows, he uses hats, scarfs, greatcoats and cigarettes in his work to crate interesting focal points al well as uses the crinkled fabrics to cast more shadows to emphasize the outfit.
In my exploration of formal elements I used light and backgrounds to help emphasise the form of my chosen objects, I have used diffused light in some of my pictures in order to create lighter shadows which I experimented with. I experimented with the use of coloured gels that can add an emotion to the picture, by using blue I found it beautifies the shell and makes the viewer picture the sea however when I used red it highlights the spikes and edges making the viewer see it as a threatening objects instead of reminding them of the seaside. I have used a variety of materials and coloured backgrounds in order to make the focal point of the picture form, for example I have used black backgrounds to further help to draw attention to the objects and not the location or surroundings. I have used material such as wood and metal in my photos to help create natural theme since I have mainly used organic items like a shell, plants or peppers. I have linked my work to the likes of Irving Penn and have emulated his style in some of my photos, I have used a shell which relates to Irvings use of organic items. I replicate his use of diffused light to help highlight the silhouette of the item and cast a shadow which also emphasizes the form.
Photoshoot
Edits in style of artist
Edits Response
My response to my edits is that I have correctly been able to explore form. I have selected a natural shape such a shell since it will help to greatly emphasize the formal elements of its shape for example the spikes and curves. My edits have been photographed and edited to match the style of Irving Penn, I have achieved this by using a variety of objects Penn would include in his work such as a shell and edited various effects such as yellow and pink tones to match the vintage look of some of his photos. I have distorted one of my pictures by slicing it and moving the pieces randomly breaking the form of the skull, this effect is present in Penns work and emulates his use of skulls which are a common theme in his work. Penn also worked in black and white so I have edited some of my photos like this, keeping the theme formal elements in mind I used tools such as midtones in order to bring out area that light has caught to further draw out the objects form. I think to improve my work I would have to introduce people to fully be bale to recreate all of Penns work. His best work has people in it with a specific style of natural and traditional clothing, he also has portrayed unique facial expressions that highlight the eyes and other parts of the body.