In the process of working on a research project for my contemporary art history class I came across an artist in my book, Yayoi Kusama. What seemed to have caught my eye was that the image is a black and white picture and she is in dots. It is actually a performance piece but I still loved the way it photographed. Kusama is from Japan and most of her work has to do with childhood trauma. Growing up as a child she had hallucinations where herself and the environment she was in dissolved in a net or into dots. What I like about her work is that it is personal and that she takes something simple and ordinary like a dot and makes a statement with it.
The photo itself has motion with the dots and it keeps the eye moving and the orders of the dots are also sporadic. The shadows that are created from her body gives it depth, I read it as dark and light. I’m not sure if that could be a statement that she is trying to make. After reading her background the dots could be symbolic of the trauma that she has encountered and the fact that they are sporadic could relate to how they occurred in her life. Most of her work is done in dots and some are even site specific. Seeing dots on trees and in color is pretty cool. I goggled her and was fascinated by her work. I need to find time to go to the museum so maybe next time. Until then!
A great choice Monica! There are a number of photographers who conceptualize performances to be photographed. You should also look up Erin V. Sotak, Cindy Sherman's film stills, and Adrienne Pao & Robin Lasser and Morgan Konn.
ReplyDeleteOh, those were all women...also Bruce Charlesworth, Bruce Davidson are good ones too!
Brittany Kennedy
ReplyDeleteI came across her work in Contemporary Art this past spring semester and was immediately drawn in. Though I have seen her other work there is something strong to me about this image. The simplicity of this image is intriguing however it is just enough to pull you in. Some of her other works like (such as :-) "Ascension of Polka Dots" where she covered multiple tree bases/ trunks with white dots on a red accented background are works done on a larger scale. The photograph however is very personalized and slightly unexpected. There is alot of motion within the photograph and this motion compliments the concept behind the dots. It represents the motion in her life and the travel of this pain associated with her childhood. Interestingly it also enhances the concept with the suitcase symbolizing travel and the turned over chair with no where to rest the constant chaos and pain of her childhood is ever present with her. NICE CHOICE!