Course Description


This interdisciplinary fine arts course results in the development of a body of work around contemporary art topics. Research, concept development and studio practice will combine to broaden your skills and ideas. Stimulating assignments together with experimentation promote analysis and understanding of contemporary art ideas, world cultures and historical periods, and other areas of visual information. Studio production and the communication of concepts visually, verbally and in written form will be combined in this thought-provoking course

Friday, November 4, 2011

Iconography and Archetypes


Iconography and Archetypes:Warwick Goble
Red Riding Hood, 1912
Kiki Smith
Rapture, 2001James Jean
Fables Cover Collection Cover Sketch, 2008

A strong image that comes to mind when I think of iconic imagery is that of little red riding hood. It sounds silly but it is an image and idea that I grew up with. For the most part everyone has grown up with the story of little red ridding hood. It is one of the oldest documented fairy tales, and it comes up in art and especially illustration. What is interesting to me is how this image and idea is showing up in contemporary art. I choose the first image of Warwick Goble's version of the tale because it was for the most part a very traditional approach to the idea. Looking at Kiki Smith's version of the story it becomes more personal. The figure has really overcome an obstacle here. It is a great example of this iconic story. Another example I choose is a sketch of James Jean. In this image the figure does not seem to be threatened and the wolf acts more like a protector than the monster.
My point I am trying to make is that a story that our grandparents told our parents who told us is a pretty powerful thing in our human existence. It has the power of connecting us all, and it is a story we will keep telling generations to come. Which to me makes this idea iconic to me.

1 comment:

  1. I have always been fascinated with fairy tales and the archetypes that they have created. In many ways we have all been little red riding hood. Innocence is something that everyone has when they are a child even if we face suffering during that time. It is the loss of that innocence, the realization that we have been and will continue to be hurt by others which is represented by the wolf. This loss is almost a rite of passage that we must all endure to reach adulthood.

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