Analysis of an Artwork
For the right and correct message to be passed on to the audience in a context, it requires an in depth analysis to help one comprehend and understand the message. Message are displayed and conveyed in different forms that include both verbal and non-verbal ways and this applies so in equal measure to artistic works and features. Art work conveys messages in various forms that include the various elements such as color, texture, design and shape of the art product among other features that have to be analyzed ad interpreted wholly to get the different meanings and messages being presented through analysis of an artwork. For proper and correct analysis of any art work, it requires what artists have described as the “third eye” that will enable the audience to get and analyze various themes that are described by the said and feature. All forms of art intend to pass on messages that reflect and conform to the developments in the society across all sectors be it political, social or economical segment. Therefore, analysis of an artwork entails the whole process of interpreting the piece of art in relation to many aspects that touch on life and nature. However, my goal in this piece is to evaluate and analyze artwork by Andy Warhol Telephone, 1962 and show how artists can use color to display and bring out various themes form their work.
The piece of work displayed by Warhol presents a fine art print that has been exceptionally done well. Produced using natural colors of black and white that have been displayed and applied equally well in the entire piece to show the reflects and shadows that the product is displaying (Warhol et. al. 42). By use of such colors, and applying them in equal measure to produce a balanced view in terms of light variation, is a strategy that artists use. Variation of both bright and dark colors in art in intended to bring out and reinforce various qualities that the particular piece of art is displaying. In using the strategy, one has to balance the varying colors in equal measure that will display the intended message and results as noted by Anderson (2006) in his article titled Colour: How to Use Colour in Art and Design (8). From the work of Warhol, every part of the telephone used a mixture of the two colors. The base of the telephone has a mixture of both colors applied in balanced measures and areas. This technique is applied to bring a balanced view in terms of exposing all parts of the piece. Therefore by mixing bright and dark colors it enables the audiences to create and interpret the picture fast in their minds and to give it correct meaning. The body of the piece has also used the same technique of applying a balanced measure between the bright and dark colors to relay the same message and help the audience correctly interpret and give meaning to the piece. The neck and head part of the work by Warhol, as well as the arms both, uses the same technique that makes the entire work exceptional and classic. The background of the work also uses color that does not reflect and contrast with the drawing and this further helps the audience has a better glance and view of the work and hence give it correct meaning and interpretation. All these techniques of art have to be used and applied together as a system to bring out the correct meaning and interpretation of the work. Failure to balance one element it will result to the picture getting wrong interpretations and, therefore, loose the intentioned potential that it would have attracted.
In terms of dimensions used a reflection of the real product that the work intends to reflect and display has to be considered for the work, Warhol balance it with uses various measurements that aid the viewers and audience create the correct picture and interpretation of the work. In producing such art work, and factored in the art work produced, especially dimensions and measurements of the various parts (Leland 18). Warhol has done this perfectly creating the balance and hence enabling the audience give correct interpretation to the work. Irrespective of the resources available, artists have to come up with the best product and design to use that will create and give full potential to their works, and display the correct theme. In the piece described above, the simple color used reflects the lifestyle and technology that existed during those ancient days and, therefore, it matches and helps audience further create and imagine life as it was during those times. As the adage says that a picture is worth a thousand words, and this applies to this work too. A good artwork is supposed to display more than what meets the eye, and this piece does exactly the same. In those early times, photography was of poor quality and black and white pictures were common and dominant that reflected the level of development of the ancient people.
In conclusion, art work entails techniques that have to be applied in a balanced manner so as to display and create correct information not only to the audience but the artists at a large. The colors used have to reflect and bring out artistic products, which will display and carry more messages that viewers are able to relate to and tell a story. All factors have to be considered in analyzing an artistic work and product for the correct meaning, to be given to it.
Works Cited
Anderson, Feisner E. Colour: How to Use Colour in Art and Design. London: Laurence King, 2006. Print.
Leland, Nita. Confident Color: An Artist's Guide to Harmony, Contrast and Unity. Cincinnati, Ohio: North Light Books, 2008. Print.
Warhol, Andy, Christopher Wool, Barnett Newman, Bruce Conner, Sharon Lockhart, Giuliana Bruno, and Peter Pakesch. Warhol Wool Newman: Painting Real ; Screening Real : Conner Lockhart Warhol. Köln: Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König, 2009. Print.
