:Exhibition:
My Piece Hold On! is inspired by Hang In There, Baby by Victor Baldwin and Andy Warhol's Marilyn Monroe prints. This piece is meant to be inspirational, with it's bright colors, and determined feline, it is an encouragement to keep trying. Title: Hold On! Size: 25.5' x 24' Medium: digital Date of Completion: November 2022 |
Inspiration
Hang in there, Baby by Victor Baldwin, 1971, is considered to be one of the first motivational posters. The charming photo is of a cat holding onto a pole, unsure of what to do next but afraid to fall. This is a sentiment that resonated with a lot of people, everyone has at one point or another needed to "hang in there". The kitten's stiff posture and wide eyed expression indicate it's surprise. |
Andy Warhol's several Marilyn Monroe screen prints from 1967 are a well known piece of pop culture. The contrast of multiple images of the same piece in different color pallets is visually appealing to the viewer. The pop art style makes use of images that are familiar to most people as a piece of pop culture, brands and their products like Coca-Cola and Campbells soup, or celebrities' like Marilyn Monroe or micky mouse. |
Planning
My inspiration pieces come together perfectly in this concept, using a recognizable pop culture symbol in the "hang in there" cat poster, remixed into a colorful new concept. In my sketch I experimented with color and pose of the cat, making it look more determined then flummoxed. The inspirational poster is meant to inspire, and a determined cat would appear more empowering then fearful. |
Critique
Marilyn Monroe prints by Andy Warhol (left) Hang In There, Baby by Victor Baldwin (center) and Hold On! by myself (right)
similarities
-The use of color in both the Marilyn Monroe prints and Hold On! is quite similar. Multiplying a single image into several brightly colored iterations.
-The composition of Hang In There, Baby and Hold On! are very similar, with a cat hanging from a branch, and an inspirational message about not giving up.
-All have a focus on a singular figure in the foreground with a solid colored background, in the Marilyn Monroe prints and my piece this image is less central since it's repeated.
differences
-Hang In There, Baby is a photography piece, The Marilyn Monroe prints are screen prints, Hold On! is a digital piece. These different mediums cause the texture of the pieces to look very different, mine looks very clean and solid while the others appear more grainy and detailed.
-The expression of the pieces is different, in Hang In There, Baby the cat is flummoxed and frightened, while in Hold On! the cat is determined.
-The significance of the figure differs greatly, while Marilyn Monroe is a well known individual and the piece centers around her recognition as a cultural icon, the subject of my piece, the cat, represents the viewer.
similarities
-The use of color in both the Marilyn Monroe prints and Hold On! is quite similar. Multiplying a single image into several brightly colored iterations.
-The composition of Hang In There, Baby and Hold On! are very similar, with a cat hanging from a branch, and an inspirational message about not giving up.
-All have a focus on a singular figure in the foreground with a solid colored background, in the Marilyn Monroe prints and my piece this image is less central since it's repeated.
differences
-Hang In There, Baby is a photography piece, The Marilyn Monroe prints are screen prints, Hold On! is a digital piece. These different mediums cause the texture of the pieces to look very different, mine looks very clean and solid while the others appear more grainy and detailed.
-The expression of the pieces is different, in Hang In There, Baby the cat is flummoxed and frightened, while in Hold On! the cat is determined.
-The significance of the figure differs greatly, while Marilyn Monroe is a well known individual and the piece centers around her recognition as a cultural icon, the subject of my piece, the cat, represents the viewer.
Reflection
I feel my work was satisfactory, my piece Hold On! is visually appealing. The many bright colors are attention grabbing, and the imagery of the cat is charming to the viewer while also representing a larger concept of perseverance. The piece would fit well as a poster in a classroom or office and that was the intention. Though I feel I could have added more detail.
ACT Connection
1.) Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
My inspirational artists were Andy Warhol and Victor Baldwin. Andy Warhol makes colorful prints of pop culture figures and Victor Baldwin had a kitten photo shoot that became a piece of pop culture. I kept this cultural inspiration and presence in mind when creating my piece.
2.) What is the overall approach ( point of view ) the author ( from your research ) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Images can carry a lot of meaning and cultural significance, audience response is also a part of art history.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I'm a big fan of the pop art style, exploring cultural pieces and their context is very interesting to me.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Pop art is a popular style. What makes a piece pop art and is that open for interpretation?
5.) What kind of inferences ( conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning ) did you make while reading your research?
Color saturation and intensity does so much for a piece, looking at a piece in many colors shows how different it can feel to view.
1.) Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
My inspirational artists were Andy Warhol and Victor Baldwin. Andy Warhol makes colorful prints of pop culture figures and Victor Baldwin had a kitten photo shoot that became a piece of pop culture. I kept this cultural inspiration and presence in mind when creating my piece.
2.) What is the overall approach ( point of view ) the author ( from your research ) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
Images can carry a lot of meaning and cultural significance, audience response is also a part of art history.
3.) What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I'm a big fan of the pop art style, exploring cultural pieces and their context is very interesting to me.
4.) What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Pop art is a popular style. What makes a piece pop art and is that open for interpretation?
5.) What kind of inferences ( conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning ) did you make while reading your research?
Color saturation and intensity does so much for a piece, looking at a piece in many colors shows how different it can feel to view.