Le Style Mucha

Bières de la Meuse, 1987, colour lithograph, 141 x 90cm

Alphonse Mucha moved to Paris from Czech Republic in 1887 to continue his studies whilst working as an illustrator for local advertisements and magazines. In 1985 he designed a lithograph poster for a play which was displayed though the streets of Paris which is when his style became so popular, it became known as ‘le style Mucha' and soon after given the name of Art Nouveau French for ‘new art’.

This style was used in architecture and decorative arts echoing the themes of natural elements and plant-like characteristics. Mucha often produced series of prints that echoed the elements and seasons bringing the emphasis for this style to nature.  The use of details produced through fine lines are balanced by the bold lines around the subject which is a technique still used today in comics/cartoons and illustrations. Mucha also often uses warm colours echoeing the beauty of the subject often being an elegant or goddess-like female.

Art Nouveau faded during the 20^th century due to modernism but I don’t think there is an illustrator I admire more for bringing a style to life as much as him. His images are so beautiful in the detail, line, text and decorative pattern design.  Characteristics of his style are still used today and i think people should know and appreciate its origin.

Ormiston, R. Alphonse Mucha Master works (2009). London: Flame Tree Publishing

Semiotics

Semiotics is the reading of signs and codes within society and how an image can mean something else from what it actually is due to our society’s interpretation. A great philosopher named Ferdinand de Saussure stated that a sign would have a signifier and a signified.  For example the signifier would be physical form of something like the colour red, whereas the signified would be what it refers to, in this case being love or danger. However a different philosopher, Roland Barthes, stated that not all symbol and signs would be signified to have the same meaning in different cultures. For example the signifier of putting your thumbs up in the western world would be signified as ‘good’ and ‘okay’ while in some parts of the Middle East such as Iran doing this would be signified as an insult towards the other person, like how the western world have the middle finger signifier.

The signifier in this image is Audrey Hepburn and the signified is what is identified her with; iconic talent, musical stardom, an idol. But showing this image to someone from Africa or other parts of the world the signified would be something similar to a woman with big hair with a stick in her mouth.

Culler, J.  Saussure. (1976).Glasgow: Fontana/Collins.

Barthes, R. The Semiotic Challenge (1994), University of California Press Berkeley.

About Feminism...

Many people, women in particular, have always been sick of the way women are seen as lesser beings to men or as sexual objects whether it’s through film, photography, art or reality. I do agree with this, why are we regarded as being less important and knowledgeable to men? And why are women degraded so much to be presented sexually and dim-witted in film and television? Why is it always that we need saving from a macho male hero? Well, this may have been the case some years ago but I think society has moved on significantly, although, sexual representation hasn't really changed and I don’t think ever will. Unfortunately, sex sells. Not just to men though. Look at women, look at yourself and ask yourself have you ever watched something on TV  longer than you expected or stopped to take a look at a poster or photograph because you thought the male model had dashing abs? As I woman, I can admit I have and I don’t think dressing in a manly manner like some crazy feminist extremist do will stop women being represented in such a way. Not saying I approve of it; briefly hearing rap music lyrics makes me sick by the tone and language used to represent women. Physically sick. It’s disgusting.

Your body is a battleground, mixed media, by Barbara Kruger.

Barbara Kruger’s work presents her frustration with racial and gender stereotypes, religion, sex, corporate greed and power and her social, political and especially feminist irritations with society. This piece she made is for a feminist march to support legal abortions, birth control and women’s rights.

Keaton Henson - Weird and Wonderful

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This music video (fig.1) was made for The Japanese Popstars, directed and animated by David Wilson. The main illustrative concept designer was Keaton Henson whose work has a sense of pop art surrealism. His style is quite uncomforting and bizarre but i think it’s the cartoony approach what makes it work and look really well done.  His illustrations (fig.2) are usually quite simple yet very detailed As well as being an illustrator Henson is also a musician which is why his work goes as far as music videos and album covers. He has also design T Shirts for high street brands like top shop and I’d say his style is slightly part of this generation’s fashion.

But even I, as a youngster from this generation, think his work is a bit too much at times. Sometimes it just gets too weird and detailed you wouldn’t want to wear a graphic like that printed on your T-shirt (Fig.3/4). I suppose it’s down to personal taste but as a concept artist I really like his work. I love the way this music video portrays unusual wild imagery which is disturbing yet comical. I found this three and a half minute animation is inspiring as an illustration student.

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modernism to post-modernism

Modernism had introduced a new way of living and seeing things with new technologies, social changes and art forms and focused on the idea of tomorrow rather than today. It was about being innovative and letting go of the old and embracing the new. It’s about building and changing. Waiting for the new almost speeds up life as you’re so focused on tomorrow you’re not living out your today. Post-modernism is taking something else and making it your own and working so spontaneously that it becomes hard to comprehend at times. It is something to look at with no real meaning behind it whereas modernism has a purpose and is made to do or fulfil something specifically. It is everything you use every day of your life.

This chair for instance is designed to look different and unique but it still fulfils its purpose making it a modern item.

Nan Goldin

Cookie in Tin Pan Alley, New York City, 1983

I have mixed feelings towards her. On one hand I love the way she works, I love her style and on the other I think her photography is not what she claims it to be. It’s limited to gay, sexual, or emotional subjects. Which is great don't get me wrong but to me it seems that at that time of her life there must have been typical usual things and I think she concentrated on what she knew to be different for the sake of being different even though she makes it clear that she photographs all her experiences without really thinking. I know that a lot of people wouldn't agree. But from what I've seen that's just the vibe I get.

What I love about her work though is the simple and authentic approach she has when photographing her experiences and loved ones. It feels effortless and real; the blur, the framing, the uneven flashlight all reminds you that she’s behind the camera interacting with her subject making the photograph all the more intimate. It’s quite genius really, how it draws you in, you begin to try to understand the relationship between photographer and subject. I’d say it’s a technique I myself shall be trying more often as of now for personal work.