A Thematic Tour of “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” and “PixCell-Deer#24”
A Thematic Tour of “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte” and “PixCell-Deer#24”
This thematic tour will examine two artworks that explore the theme of modernity and its effects on society: Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884, and Kohei Nawa’s PixCell-Deer#24, 2011. Both works present unique perspectives on this theme. The thematic tour will examine visual elements, design principles, subject matter, social-historical context, and the meaning of both works to compare and contrast their approaches to the theme of modernity and its effects on society. By comparing and contrasting these works, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of modernity and its impact on the human experience.
Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884
Subject Matter
The subject matter of A Sunday on La Grande Jatte is a group of people enjoying a leisurely afternoon on the banks of the River Seine (Artincontext, 2022). The scene is full of activity, as people engage in various activities such as picnicking, boating, and playing music. Seurat included a wide range of people in the scene, including the wealthy and the working class, suggesting a sense of social unity.
Visual Elements
The visual elements of A Sunday on La Grande Jatte are characterized by the pointillist technique and Seurat’s careful attention to detail. The painting is divided into a series of geometric shapes, further broken down into smaller dots of color (Seurat, n.d). It creates a sense of depth and movement in the scene, as the viewer’s eye is drawn to the various dots of color. The use of bright, bold colors also adds to the overall vibrancy of the scene.
Principles of Design
The use of balance, unity, and emphasis are all present in Sunday on the Grand Jatte. It has some geometric figures and shapes to keep things in check (Seurat, n.d). The use of color and recurring form establishes a firm understanding. Seurat highlights the young woman in white who serves as the painting’s focal point.
Social-Historical Context
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte was created during Paris’s significant social and economic change. The Industrial Revolution brought significant technological and industrial advances, leading to rapid city expansion (Artincontext, 2022). The painting reflects this change and progress, depicting leisure and leisure activities becoming more accessible to the middle and working classes.
Meaning
A Sunday on La Grande Jatte has multiple meanings. It celebrates modernity’s riches and progress. The middle and working classes could take advantage of the newfound leisure time and material prosperity made possible by the Industrial Revolution. The artwork may also criticize modernity’s downsides, such as the loss of traditional ways of life and social estrangement.
Kohei Nawa’s PixCell-Deer#24, 2011
Subject Matter
The subject matter of PixCell-Deer#24 is the relationship between nature and technology. Using a taxidermied deer and the pixelated pattern created by the beads suggest merging the natural world with the artificial world of technology (Crothers, 2018). The pose of the deer also adds to this theme, as it seems to be looking at something beyond its immediate surroundings, perhaps symbolizing the way that technology can connect us to the world beyond our physical selves.
Visual Elements
The visual elements of PixCell-Deer#24 include using the taxidermied deer and the beads covering its surface (MFA Art Writing, n.d.). The beads are arranged in pixelated patterns, creating a sense of artificiality and digitalization. The deer is also posed in a natural position, adding realism to the work. The use of transparent beads allows the natural form of the deer to show through, creating a tension between the natural and the artificial.
Principles of Design
PixCell-Deer#24 adheres to unity, proportion, and focus design concepts. The taxidermied deer, the beads, and the repeated pixelated pattern combine to form a unified whole (Crothers, 2018). The symmetry of the beadwork and the deer’s realistic stance contribute to the piece’s overall harmony. Emphasis is created through the pixelated pattern, which draws the viewer’s attention to the deer’s surface and how it merges with the natural form.
Social-Historical Context
PixCell-Deer#24 was created in the 21st century when technology became integral to daily life. The use of a taxidermied deer also speaks to the way that technology has the power to preserve and manipulate the n<