Blog 5(undirected)

After completing the assigned reading I am amazed at the archaeological work and advances in discovering and interpreting the Mesoamerican sculptures we have studied. I feel like we have already covered so much material and yet their efforts continue to reveal new information about these significant Mesoamerican cultures. What I found most interesting is the idea of conformity or “self-consciousness of uniformity” found among the artistic expression during the Mesoamerican period. While I have noticed an obvious theme in the sculptures and paintings qualities and characteristics; I never realized this sense of uniformity. For whatever reason, I felt that the Mesoamerican cultures would be more into using artistic expression to reveal individualities. However, after reading about this idea of uniformity I wonder if artist during this time experienced the same restraints as later artists. Perhaps, much like Picasso was ridiculed for his “lack of artistic” ability during his time; the Mesoamerican artists also had similar constraints or standards for their art. I feel that we have explored differences in Mesoamerican art among different cultures; so this really intrigues me. Perhaps even as far back as this Mesoamerican period, artists were truly expected to conform and restrain their artistic abilities according to what was at the time considered “true art.”

Blog 4

I love art but for whatever reason every time I visit the MOMA I feel like I am being followed by the museum workers, slightly ruining my experience. On top of that the crowd was crazy but it made for a very interesting and memorable experience. I understand that Frida Kahlo’s artwork showcased her life and her skills are obvious; however her art is definitely not my favorite. The majority of her work was unsettling to say the least, so it was difficult for me to further explore her work. Yet there were a few paintings that caught my interest:

“The Love Embrace of the Universe” 1949, oil on masonite. In this painting Diego is portrayed as her baby or her universe; there’s a sense of Frida’s need to cater to Diego, much like a baby. This may be due to her devotion to him or her desire to have a baby never being fulfilled; perhaps both. It seems that while Frida cradles and cares for Diego, Mother Earth does so for Frida, and the Universe for Mother Earth. She also shows both sides to life, the good and the bad; through night/darkness and day/brightness. I like this painting mostly because of the emotional affect it has on an audience. While I have not had the same life experiences as Frida, I still grasp an understanding of the struggles and perhaps enlightenments in her life. In life, everyone has good and bad experiences and I feel that she reaches out to her audience by concentrating on this theme in this painting. Perhaps this is why Diego has a huge eye on his forehead; maybe it is supposed to represent insight into one’s life. I also like her use of color and tones; not only visually but the use of colors are also very cohesive with the idea behind the painting.

“The Broken Column” 1944, Oil on masonite. After reading about Frida Kahlo’s life and history this painting took on so much more meaning and significance. While I did not have such a traumatic experience, I have also had a few surgeries; specifically on my feet that has greatly affected my life. So I can somewhat imagine the pain and frustration she must have felt while struggling with this problem for the majority of her life. My emotional attachment to her story and the reason behind her painting is what draws me to it. Considering the amount of surgeries she underwent because of her broken spine, I understand why she must have felt like she was under constant “construction.” I love how honest she is about her life and struggles; her sorrow is obvious in her face, allowing her audience to connect with her on a personal level. I also enjoy that rather than being completely literal she chose to represent her broken spine through a cracked column; it adds even more artistic quality to her painting.

Quite a few Kahlo art pieces show at least some Mesoamerican or Pre-Hispanic Mexican influence. For example, her “Moses” painting shows several religious, royalty, or god-like figures. Towards the upper left it appears as though there is a man who appears to be royalty within a Mesoamerican community and beneath the community there appears to be a burial. This reminded me of the Mesoamericans use of either sacrifice or worship by burying people or art pieces. It also appears that all life stems from a baby found in the center of the painting. This resembles the idea of a shaman making an offering or sacrifice in order to gain in other aspects of life. Lastly, the most obvious aspect of Mesoamerica is the architecture and sculptures found in Kahlo’s “Self-Portrait on the Border Line between Mexico and the United States.” The structures show aspects of the Mesoamerican architecture that we have been studying and there are sculptures towards the forefront that look similar to Mesoamerican sculptures in our book. Both sculptures have little definition on the body and face, similar to Mesoamerican sculptures. Their faces appear fairly flat and their mouths are turned downward and although their bodies do not show much definition they appear to have some incisions or symbols on their bodies; which is also found on Mesoamerican sculptures that we have studied thus far.

Blog 3

Throughout our readings, I have been amazed by the structural quality of the Mesoamerican architecture. It is difficult to imagine that so many years ago; these people were able to sculpt something so magnificent and fairly stable considering we are still able to visit them. I am astounded by the fact that Mesoamericans were able to use what few tools and little knowledge they had about building in order to produce these structures. It’s also interesting that it is as though the Mesoamerican people wanted to ensure that they were a significant part of history by carving stories (written or mostly visual) into slabs of stone. Without these carvings we may never have even known of all these Mesoamericans. Similar to their art, the Mesoamericans’ architecture was a form of immortality; forever giving tribute to their people.