Other interpretations: "Surrender"

Interpretation 1- Fellow student:

The artist suggests that the women tends to feel vulnerable and skeptical of people thoughts when she is taking a minimalist approach to life (hence the absence of furniture and belongings). She is hiding behind the handkerchief as her association with a lifestyle different to most women is not wanted.

Interpretation 2- younger child :

The subject seems scared and shy, indicating that she might know what she might see behind the material. She seems almost confused or abashed that she is responding this way, yet the dim and dappled lighting gives off a dreamy atmosphere. In a ways she seems like she is within an annoying doze or highly diluted nightmare, she doesn't not seem that scared.

Other Interpretations of "Call of the Wild"

Interpretation 1- fellow student:

The girl looks as if she has put her trust in the dogs to protect her from any dangers of an unfamiliar place. The expression of harshness in the dogs face doesn’t seem as it is directed towards the girl but rather in the direction of the barren space around them. Her being blindfolded suggests that extra emphasis of her trusting in replacing her sense of sight with that of the dogs. The dogs agitation is sensed by the girl and she is now feeling a little uncomfortable of what they are seeing despite her confidence in them.

Interpretation 2- younger child:

The girl does look terrified, but it seems the emotion is more so from the pack’s perspective. They look agitated, torn between the action of abandoning the girl or protecting her from the unknown. This is as some seem to be encircling her, whereas another seems to be leaving, indicating a conflict in decision making.

Interpretation 3- adult:

The girl seems like she is experiencing heightened emotional arousal, due to the loss of her most reliable sense, she is left completely vulnerable to the dogs and the unfamiliar field. Frozen with fear and confusion, she is trying to defend herself by trying to decide within the chaos whether to fight or take flight into the intimidating unknown.

Task 3- Preliminary reading of each piece

28x28, Edited photograph

“Call of the wild” depicts a girl standing blindfolded amidst a pack of dogs, within an urban field. However specific art elements and principles help determine an inner meaning and deeper interpretation of the piece. Firstly in terms of elements, form is portrayed as mainly organic and drifted, despite it being a photograph. This is partly determined by the use of dim light as well as the mix of cool and warms colours such as brown and blue to create a natural and murky atmosphere. Simulated texture can be found throughout the piece, from the dog’s tawny fur to the moist padded grass, as well as the lightly billowing white dress. The white dress is also sunken further back into the background as it’s colour matches the further background, displayed as the sky and forest that borderlines the field. This emphasises the value within the picture, in which the warm colours of the dogs and the grass represent the foreground in comparison to the background, consisting of cool creams, blues and light lilacs peppered on the trees and clouds. In addition the negative space seen mainly within the background also assists in creating depth within the picture. As for principles, the girl’s black hair against the white sky creates an ultimate contrast, therefore representing the focal point of the piece. Balance is accomplished with the right combination of negative and positive spaces as well as the choice of colours which stand out as well as trickle into each other. This also creates a sense of harmony as there are no abstract areas. Variety is yet determined by the complexity of tone found within the work, which also accentuates movement. The movement is specifically portrayed in the way the colours brown and black stream across the picture, in blurred dogs’ fur as they partake a wild frenzy. This seemingly unifies the work with the interconnecting variety of tones and colours as well as a sense of rhythm. Subsequently with the analysis of certain elements and principles we are able to fully understand what Chambers has intended us to see. The girl represents the human race with the blindfold representing adult reality. The similar colours and tones displayed on the distant trees and clouds represents the connections regarding the concentrated (clumped trees) and ambition (high clouds) of the unreality, the reality that is created. However the warm, vast field and the pack of dogs represent the tribe perspective of humanity and incredible vastness of nature. Yet as the human has strayed from nature, it consequently feels alienated from its home, which is why there is a direct distinction with the two realities. This creates a sense of confusion and alienation.

28x28, edited photograph

Within the work surrender, Chambers creates an atmosphere where a girl is portrayed as hiding herself behind a white handkerchief with the light from the background window shining through, lightening up the dim room. A variety of art elements help to portray this idea and are assisted with coinciding principles. In terms of form, the dim dappled lights create patterns of subtly organic shapes and tones, rounding every edge. Line is portrayed as sharp and or illdefined, depending on the position of the light. The colours featured in the piece are monochromatic and pastel, creating a dreamlike mood. Texture is evident and simulated, with the main example including the ‘knitted’ patterns upon the girls dress as well as the embroidery upon the handkerchief. Negative space has a major part within this piece, yet this does not mean it is without purpose, as it allows the viewer to focus on the intricate details found elsewhere. Value is achieved through the use of the negative space, where the foreground is actively occupied with the girl whereas the window and the contrasting field outside the room are categorized as the background and further background. Principles such as emphasis is evident, in the distinctively contrasting white handkerchief in the foreground is the focal point. Balance is accomplished with use of tone is relevance to detail. For example; the far left of the picture is filled with window edges and pasty walls, so these patterns fill the space. However the far right lacks patterns so it is shaded darkly to compensate and balance the complexion of the piece. Movement is compensated by the almost drifting light within the space, as everything else, including the subject, appears stationary and almost theatrical. The light nevertheless helps in the unifying of the work as the tones assist in creating the picture a invigorating piece. Consequently the use of light has an exponential influence on the interpretation of the piece. The light background represents the preconceived ideas of the adolescent subject. These ideas are filtered through the handkerchief, highlighting how preconceived ideas determine how one interprets the world, or their reality. The ‘light’ helps the subject to see the dark areas or life, in which is where the photographer is situated. Therefore represents the dark depths of reality and how shaky and ill conceived one’s reality might be to another.

28x28, Edited photograph

Within “Springs Landfall” a girl is seated blindfolded within a boat filled with flowers, amidst a wheat field. Yet with the analysis of art elements and principles, one can begin to understand the inner message of this work. Firstly, form is displayed mainly with the presence of organic shapes such as the clouds, yet the boat edges also present geometric design. Line is sometimes defined, such as along the boat edges, as well as free and almost brushstrokes like, mainly seen on the close-ups of each individual wheat strain. This also creates simulated texture. Colour is slightly pastel and almost monochromatic, with the majority being subtle greens and light browns. There is little complete negative space, yet the position of the boat is directly in the middle of the foreground, which indicates a direct barrier between the foreground and the slightly empty background, portraying value and balance. In terms of principles, the focal point becomes the subject as the pink pastel contrasts against the natural greens and browns. Movement is created with the slant of the boat, as well as the pushing backward of the oars, which also creates rhythm. The range of colours, textures and forms consequently unifies the piece. Furthermore the interpretation becomes more evident with analysis. The picture clearly captivates the girl’s vulnerability of her surroundings and the alienation displayed with the contrast of colours. The boat clearly exemplifies her bubble of reality, with the flowers representing lush hope and desire. The environment however represents the true reality, as it is obviously atypically a place to find a boat. The contrast of natural and desert tones reinforces this contrast, breaking up the two realities, yet morphing them together.