Deathly Hallows: May 2012

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Los Angeles Dreamscapes Gallery

Los Angeles Dreamscapes Gallery

This gallery is located in the Downtown Los Angeles area, you may contact me for more information.

My name is Tara Campbell, and I run this gallery.

The type of artwork I show in my Gallery is Dark, Brutal, Realistic, Honest, Historical, Religious art work and focuses on Death and Despair in Art History.

Deathly Hallows Exhibition

Seduction of Death and Despair

Artist's in this Exhibition are as listed:

Francisco Goya
Jacques Louis David
Timothy H. O'Sullivan
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
The'odore Gericault
Joseph Mallord William
John Everett Millais
Tim Burton
Andre Mantegna
Artemisia Gentileschi

This exhibition of artist's is about "DEATH AND DESPAIR," in art.

This show is about "Death and Despair, " Two very prominent human emotions, emotions that affect us in different ways, everyday, and their appearances throughout Art History. The connection between these pieces of art is "Death and Despair," "Trials and Tribulations," "Health and Untimely Death's, and "Religion. I choose these artists based on how well they reflected my theme. I choose older artists because when I first got into art, I was mostly intrigued by "Modern Art," so this was my chance to really explore new options and open my mind wider in this huge Art world. I found it very interesting that most of these older artist's had very similar idea's and actions in their works as modern pieces of art in society today. Death is universal, any place and in any time period, it will always mean the same. They all dealt with very harsh lives and health issues. I choose one current artist, "Tim Burton," to get the point across that even artists work today can reflect similar ideals of older art. Art changes but stays the same as it follows us through time. I made all these connections but reading a lot about these artists and researching their works and triumphs. Every artist is different but we all came from the same place and you can see this in this Exhibition. So please enjoy this beautifully realistic show, of "Death and Despair."

Artemisia Gentileschi

"Judith Slaying Holofernes"

Oil on canvas

6' 6 1/3" x 5' 4"

1614-1620

Biography:

Artemisia Gentileschi was born July 8, 1593. She was an Italian Baroque painter. She was one of the first women to be accepted into the "Accademia di Arte del Disegno." She made many paintings having to do with "Judith's story from the bible. She had a very hard life and faced many trials as a women. She was raped by a man named, "Tassi." And though she sought for her right's, she never fully received them in this situation. "Caravaggio's style really influenced her and she painted feminine works. Her most popular was "Judith Slaying Holofernes." It is said that she may have died in a plague that swept Naples in 1656.

Artist's Statement:

Narratives involving heroic women were a favorite theme of Gentileschi. In " Judith Slaying Holofernes," the controlled highlights on the action in the foreground recall Caravaggio's painting's and heighten the drama."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.540)

Background Information:

This type of art opened up a way of feminine power. The painting depicts a story from "Judith," a book in the old testament. So she mixed feminine ideals and religious material together. It came form the Old testament, and she produced more than one painting of this event.

Connection:

I chose this because it's a painting of some, "Causing Death." It's a very empowering painting and is very graphic in the way that she cuts of his head and the blood is squirting outwards. You can see the struggle of her and her maidservant trying to wield that sword because of it's weight. The lighting really effects the emotion in the painting, you can feel the tension. It's a very dark painting of Death and the endless possibilites of how and when you will die.

Timothy H. O'Sullivan

"The Harvest Of Death"

Negative by Timothy, Albumen Print by Alexander Gardner

6' 3/4" x 8' 1/2"

1863

Biography:

Timothy H. O' Sullivan, was born January 14, 1882. He worked with photography and is most known for his work with the "American Civil War." He fought in the Union Army, and was honorably discharged. His most popular photograph is "The Harvest Of Death." He was the official photographer for the U.S. "Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel." He captured photo's of the "Navajo and Pueblo Villages." He died of Tuberculosis, in Staten Island at the age of 42.

Artist's Statement:

"Though it would be many years before photolithography could reproduce photographs like this in newspapers, photographers exhibited them publicly. They made an impression that newsprint engravings never could."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.650)

Background Information:

"The Harvest Of Death," was a photo of dead Union soldiers at Gettysburg in 1863. It represented life in war. It also was a representation of photographies role and influence on life then and especially now. It was a way of catching permanent history on film.

Connection:

To me "Photographs," are the ultimate sense of permanent, forever truth. It can capture a moment in time exactly as it happened. I will say though that in today's society, we have to be careful because of all the "photoshop" or multiple ways to alter these types of images. Anyways, this photograph is untouched and has captured death. These are real people, live photographs. Death is not always beautiful or pretty, it can very emotional and sad, disturbing and upsetting. The word "Harvest" is a perfect word for this photo because of the multitudes of people dead scattered throughout the picture. It's heartbreaking and depressing and this type of death in war is still happening to this day.

John Everett Millais

"Ophelia"

Oil on canvas

2' 6" x 3' 8"

1852

Biography:

John Everett Millais was born June 8, 1829. He was an English painter and illustrator. He trained at the "Royal Academy of Art, " and was involved with the "Pre-Raphelite" movement. His works were highly controversial but gained popular success with "Huguenot," a sad work about two lovers separated because of religion. he met a women named Effie, who was his friend's Ruskin's wife. He painted Effie and they soon fell in love. She then remarried John, and they had Eight children. Many of his critics were harsh on him and because of his change of style he lost some support. He was elected a member of the "Royal Academy Of Arts." He died August 13, 1896, at age 67.

Artist's Statement:

"The subject, form Shakespeare's Hamlet, is the drowning of Ophelia, who in her madness, is unaware of her plight."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.641)

Background History:

To capture Ophelia's figure the way John wanted it, he had a friend lie inside a bathtub full of hot water for hours on end. Ophelia is a Shakespearean subject and Millais wrote a poem about this painting, also like Joseph Turner with his painting presented in this show. the poem read, "Her clothes spread wide, And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up- Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes, As one incapable of her own distress"(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.641) He was very precise to the visual facts.

Connection:

Death and Despair is the reoccurring theme. It felt natural to choose this piece because of the death written on Ophelia's lifeless body and face. The landscape looks calm and welcoming as her body floats gracefully, lifeless and pale. Death and Nature come together for me because it represents the tragic beauty of death and rebirth.

Joseph Mallord William Turner

"The Slave Ship"

Oil on canvas

2' 11 11/16" x 4' 5/16"

1840

Biography:

Joseph Mallord William Turner was born April 23, 1775. He was an English romantic landscape painter. He also worked a little with "Watercolorist and printmaking." He was involved with the "Romanticism Movement." Because of illness in his family, he was sent to live with his uncle, "Joseph Marshall." He traveled to Europe and gained support from his work from "Walter Ramsden Fawkes." He didn't have many friends and spent most fo his time with his father, but he took it very hard when his father passed away. He never was married but is said to of been involved with a widowed woman named, "Sarah Danby." He died on December 19, 1851.

Artist's Statement:

"The essence of Turner's innovative style is the emotive power of color. He released color from any defining outlines to express both the forces of nature and the painter's emotional response to them."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.627)

Background Information:

He was inspired to paint, "Slave Ship," after reading a book about the history of the slave trade and how they wanted to abolish it. He wrote a poem that goes along with this painting. He used this painting in a political way, much like Jacques-Louis David also did. He used this painting to get his points and feelings about slavery across to britain. He wanted Britain to make more of an effort in the anti slavery effort. It is said that this painting could be part of the reason that the British empire passed the 1843 law, which promised to "suppress" slavery.

Connection:

This connects to the theme, because of the oppression of the slaves and the trials they faced. A life of slavery could very well lead to a life of beatings, torture, despair and death. The way he used the colors of the Red sunset and an un calm sea, his style is very innovative and the immense amounts of color he used really makes you pay attention. You don't always have to use dark colors to get a darker theme across and I feel he showed that. His painting was more than an artistic piece, like many of the other artists in this show it reflected a piece of "History."

The'odore Gericault

The'odore Ge'ricault

"The Raft of The Medusa"

Oil on canvas

16' 1 x 23' 6"

1818-1819

Biography:

Jean-Louis Andre' The'odore Ge'ricault was born September 26, 1791. He was very prominent French artist, painter and lithographer. He was involved with the "Romantic Movement." He studied the anatomy and action of horses. He was very intrigued by "Michelangelo" from his trip to Rome. One of his more popular pieces still today is, "The Raft Of The Medusa." He also was inspired to paint Ten portraits of the, "Insane." He didn't just focus on living subjects but also a lot of the dead. Death welcomed him into it's grasp at a very young age though, at only age 32, on January 26, 1824. He also died of health issues, Tuberculosis infections left him suffering for a long period of time.

Artist's Statement:

"The Raft of The Medusa," has been described as such, "This depiction of a historical event, the artist abandoned the idealism of Neoclassicism and instead invoked the theatricality of Romanticism."

(Fred S, Kleiner, 2010, P.621)

Background Information:

This is not just a simple painting, it was depicting a moment in history. The tragedy occurred in 1816 off the "African Coast." It took him Eight months to finish because of the time he spent making sure the audience would eb able to see the inexplicable horror and pure chaos these people experienced. He visited many morgues and even spoke to a few of the survivors so he could really depict this moment correctly and most realistic to the actual history of the tragedy.

Connection:

I choose this piece because it really spoke to me when I saw it, It drew me in. This is the purest example of hopelessness, despair, destruction, death, and the small amount of strength those people could muster up. The dark shadows, the withered, beaten bodies, all represent hurt and death. Many bodes are sliding off the raft into that cold freezing water and their is nothing they can do but wait for help. I find this piece so believable and a true example of suffering, and great despair that led to death.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

Caravaggio

"Entombment"

Oil on canvas

9' 10 1/8" x 6' 7 15/16"

1603

Biography:

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was born September 29, 1571. He was an Italian artist who was specialized in Baroque type style of art. He was trained as a painter in Milan by "Simone Peterzano." He handled his success horribly and was even jailed a few times. He would purposely engage in fights and made it almost impossible to get along with him. He killed a man in 1606 and ran away. The pope had a death warrant out for him and he became unknown after his death. Not till later was he re looked at and brought back into the light. He died from a fever in July 18, 1610, at only 38 years old.

Artist's Statement:

This has been said of Caravaggio's piece "Entombment." "This work includes all the hallmarks of caravaggio's distinctive style: the plebeian figure types, the stark use of darks and lights and the invitation to the viewer to participate in the scene."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.539)

Background information:

Caravaggio's piece had a "Theological Implications." He made it look to the audience that the men carrying Jesus were laying him on the rock altar below him. He used that to give a "visual form to the doctrine of transubstantiation, (the transformation of the Eucharistic bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ.)"(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.539) He used Christ's body to make a point and draw your attention towards the center of the painting. It is now kept in a museum though where many can not enjoy or see that emotional experience form the painting.

Connection: This piece was very similar to "Mantegna's" piece of Christ. They both show and symbolize the death of Christ. I choose this because of the great detail and depth he showed in this painting. The way he positioned his figures and gave the audience a front view of Christ. The despair and sadness on the people's faces surrounding him. I feel the dark background leaves a lonely, desolate feeling, drawing your attention to Christ's dead body.

Andrea Mantegna

"Foreshortened Christ"

Tempura on canvas

2' 2 3/4" x 2' 7 7/8"

1500

Biography:

Andrea Mantegna was born in 1431. He experimented with perspective, he had a sculptural way of painting. He was trained in Painting, and Fresco. He was involved in the Italian Renaissance and is known for "Agony in the Garden" "The Ascension, " and the piece I'm presenting, "Foreshortened Christ," (more popularly know as "Dead Christ.") He was appointed court artist to "Ludovico II Gonzaga." The Pope even called him in 1488 to paint fresco's in the chapel in the Vatican. Mantegna's son died and this left the artist irritable and upset. His own health was declining but he continued working until his death in "Mantua," in September 13, 1506.

Artist's Statement:

"The work of "Dead Christ," but recorded as "Foreshortened Christ," is said to be, another example of the artist's mastery of perspective."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.454)

Background Information:

This painting is popularly known as the "Dead Christ." He presented a very realistic study of the extremely short body, and he still was representing a very important biblical moment. He put deep religious emotion into this while still making the painting look corrosive with harder edges to get that harsh appeal.

Connection:

This piece connects to my theme of Death and Despair because of the way he captured Christ's physical state. Even the godliest, perfect people can and will die. The corrosive colors and the marks upon his hands and feet represent the ultimate sacrifice, and the pain and suffering he went through. The death of an influential person, Christ. The death of Christ has been depicted so many ways and I felt that Andrea's take on the piece was very appropriate and emotional, it was realistic of a historical death, while still being respectful to the religious biblical part of the history.

Tim Burton

"Heads Will Roll"

Movie Poster

514 x 755

1999

Biography:

He was born August 25, 1958, and is most known for his films, writing, and art. He attracted the attention of Walt Disney's production people and was given an apprenticeship. From there he flourished and produced films such as, "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," "Beetle Juice," "Batman," "Edward Scissorhands," "Sleepy Hollow," and more recently "Dark Shadows." He is now currently married to Helen Bonham Carter and have Two children. He's won many awards, for example, "The Golden Globe," and even an "Emmy." He is still alive and producing many forms of art.

Artist's Statement:

Robert Adam's said this about Burton's art, "Tim Burton's career is the ultimate revenge of the art nerd. Mr Burton, the self-professed alienated child of a dysfunctional family in Burbank, CA., who funneled his loneliness, pain and grief into drawing cartoons, has found fame, and fortune by telling cinematic tales..."

(Art Review of Tim Burton, "A World Of Macabre Misfits.")

Background Information:

The piece of Art, "Heads Will Roll," was a movie poster for Burton's movie "Sleepy Hollow." It was based as an American period horror film. The art in this movie is incredible and he used "Monochrome" Saturation and dark colors to represent Death and Despair. His cinematography skills were put to the test throughout the film. This poster was just a small piece of the art for that project.

Connection:

I enjoy Tim burton's work, it's very dark and appealing to me, it draws your attention in. It's relatable and weird. He's so interesting to me, and he is so talented and constantly working. I feel he really emphasizes death, sadness, loneliness, being different and alone. He usually has a dark theme within his work and he is actually who got me very interested in "Edgar Allen Poe's" work. I choose him because he is perfect for this show, and is very popular and modern in our culture today. His art is even similar to the older artists and their art works of Death and Grief.

Jacques-Louis David

'The Death Of A Marat"

Oil on canvas

5' 5" x 4' 2 1/2"

1793

Biography:

Jacques-Louis David was born August 30, 1748. He was a very popular French painter and specialized in "Neoclassical" era. He supported the "French Revolution" and was very smart and kept up on politics. He wanted to revolutionize the art world eternal concepts of "Classicism." He didn't get along with many people and actually had an abnormal face after a sword fight incident. This led to the nickname, "David the Tumor." Because of his involvement with politics he was exiled for participating in and helping with the Death Of King Louis XVII. He spent his last days with his wife and was met with an untimely death after being hit by a moving carriage. He died December 29, 1825.

Artist's Statement:

David made this statement about his work, "Citizens, the people were again calling for their friend; their desolate voice was heard: David take up your brushes... Avenge Marat... I heard the voice of the people., I obeyed." (Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P. 601)

Background Information:

This piece of art holds so much history an has a deeper meaning than just the death of a man. This painting holds a lot of political anger and views. David's friend Marat was assassinated by "Charlotte Corday." The man was tricked and invited her into his home, not even expecting the events that would unravel next. This painting is said to be one of his most famous paintings. The woman, "Charlotte Corday" was sentenced to death by Guillotine. This painting stood as a political statement and a man who died in the fight of the Revolution.

Connection:

I felt this was a good fit in my show because my theme is "Death and Despair." Death is such a natural thing and I felt this painting really embodied death. He took the tragedy of his friend and the pain in his heart and turned it into this tragically beautiful piece of art. This painting shows the pain that his followers felt after their "leader" was slain, and I think pain and despair are usually associated with the word, "Death."

Francisco Goya

"Saturn Devouring One Of His Children"

Detached Fresco mounted on canvas

4' 9 1/8" x 2' 8 5/8"

1819, 1823

Biography:

Francisco Goya was born March 30, 1746. He was a Spanish romantic painter. Spain's main national film awards are called the "Goya Awards," in honor of him. He was trained in painting, drawing, sculpture, and printmaking. He was the court painter for Charles IV and received a salary form working for him. He gained an illness that left him deaf, this changed how he thought and looked at things in his life. He became less social. He died in France from his declining health issues at age 82, on April 16, 1828.

Artist's Statement:

"Goya's work rooted in both personal and natural history, and presented very dark images while still keeping the romanticism."

(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.620)

Background Information:

This fresco was painted on the walls of Francisco's Farmhouse and showed viewers an honest look into what was going on in his mind at the time. He wasn't in the clearest state of mind because of his declining health. In "Gardener's Art Throughout The Ages," it says, "Because of the similarities of Kronos and Khronos, (meaning time) Saturn has come to be associated with time. This has led some scholars to interpret Goya's painting as an expression of the artist's despair over the passage of time."(Fred S. Kleiner, 2010, P.620) These photo's were supposed to private, not for the public's view, so it really gives you a scary realistic of what most of been going on in his mind at that time.

Connection:

I choose this piece because it's realistic and graphic and even in its simplicity still makes you think. It shows great suffering and despair, resulting in death. I think he knew a lot about death and the feeling of death coming for him, because in his case of his declining health. Fear can evoke such strong emotions, this painting is very disturbing to me but I feel it expresses raw and unfiltered emotion.

Conclusion

I will say that this process was challenging at times for me, seeing that I wasn't exactly sure about what I was doing and how to put together a well rounded blog. Picking my theme came very natural to me because I know what I like in art and I knew that dark, deathlike scenes were what I was going for. Finding stuff and collaborating all the artists in the way that showed their talents and accomplishments was hard. I did learn a lot about these artist's lives more and the trials they suffered, it gave me a deeper understanding of their roots in art. It gave me a chance to really explore my options, I could pick any artists and my first thought was pick "modern" artists, I felt that be easier based on the idea that I know more about modern art. That is why I felt the need to challenge myself and look for artists in our book, so I could get a better look into older art, art that isn't always appreciated.

I think curators have a fun but challenging job, with all the artistic freedom they have they can put together something beautiful and express that emotion through their hard work. But it's not easy putting everything together and organizing an event to the proper standard. The process was long but it was very surprising to me how much symbolism can be found in art. Many used their art as a way of getting a political view noticed, and used death and despair as natural tools in their work. Many of the artists were faced with horrible tribulation, declining health, lost loved ones, unkind homes. This led to the incredible ideas in their art and the emotion they presented through that type of art to an audience even today. All around this process was challenging but rewarding and gave me a better opportunity to understand these different forms of art and the artists behind them. Art is such a wide spectrum of things, when I came into this I wasn't fully opening my mind but I've learned so much from art and my appreciation for art in this world is still growing. Without art, the world would be a dismal place.