Block Print
Title: "Burning vulnerable"
Size: 9 in x 6 in Medium: Block Print January 2019 Exhibition Text"Burning Vulnerable" is a block print piece that was inspired by "The Gradation of Fire" by René Magritte, "Landscape with Butterflies" by Salvador Dali and a scene from a music video for the song I NEED U by BTS. This piece's purpose is to display in a metaphoric way how women are degraded by society. The butterfly shown represents women and the fire represents society.
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Inspiration
Before creating my artwork there were three factors that helped influence my piece. The first inspiration was the art style of German expressionism, second was Magritte's "The Gradation of Fire" and the third was Dali's "Landscape with Butterflies".
Since block printing is made black and white the influence was not the hue use but more the form and movement of the flames displayed in "The Gradation of Fire". Dali's "Landscape with Butterflies" helped inspire the use of the butterfly and positioning to in order to complete the image and the meaning. Lastly, part of the driving force for the image I decided to create through block print was a scene from BTS' music video for the song "I NEED U". The scene displays one of the members (Suga) standing in the middle of a room full of flames. |
Planning
`The first original sketch that I drew was a woman's face with a butterfly on her nose. With he different image there was also another meaning for the piece.
Experimentation
The first attempt to print the image was very quite unsuccessful. When finishing off the print and peeling the paper, a lot of the ink came off. Not bad for the first printing attempt but there had to be a better one.
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During the attempt of creating another print a different issue came out of this one. When placing the paper over the carved linoleum it moved and that made the ink spread on one area.
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Process
(5 & 6) After the image is transferred on to the linolium block they need to be carved out by tools that are specialized for that work. The tool in shown in step six is a speedball linoleum cutter and It comes with three different gouges that can be changed. The tool shown in step seven is a more traditional cutter.
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(13 & 14) After you feels like is an even amount of ink on the roller you can start putting it on the carved block print. Right after putting the ink on the carved linoleum you place a piece of printing paper carefully on top. After that you can begin rubbing with the baren in order for the image to transfer.
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Critique
Compare and Contrast
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Similarities
- The use of line to create an fire form image. - Movement is shown in the flames within the piece. - Both artworks hold asymmetry. Similarities - Both pieces show the image of a butterfly. - "Burning vulnerable" has the same amount of space as "Landscape with Butterflies". - The Butterflies are the emphasis in both artworks. |
Differences
- Unlike "The Gradation of Fire", "Burning vulnerable" is not in color. - "The Gradation of Fire" is a Surrealist piece. - "Burning vulnerable" is a German expressionist piece, Differences - "Landscape with Butterflies" is a Surrealist artwork. - Unlike "Burning vulnerable", "Landscape with Butterflies is enhanced by various bright hues. - Dali's piece was made using thin lines unlike "Burning vulnerable". |
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Reflection
I am very pleased with how my final block print image turned out. During the process of carving the image on to the linoleum block there were a few challenges such as being careful not to cut too much in order for there not to be holes on the stencil. Something else that was challenging was carving out the fine details with the tools provided. While cutting the print I tried to be very cautious but ended up cutting my fingers many times but in the end I would say it was worth it. After I had the stencil of the image carved well on the linoleum block I began to print of the image. For me it was very difficult to print out an image that was perfect and clean so I did many trials.
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you you were able to "identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork" - There were many aspects in the artwork created that demonstrates the cause and effect relationship between the art style of German Expressionism, Magritte, and Dali. For example Dali helped contribute the use of line and Magritte inspired the emphasis in the piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? - The overall approach of the piece was to be somewhat of a messenger to the viwers. The symbolism of the images in the piece help deliver the meaning.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? - I learned that in society the issue being delivered through the block print piece is very prominent in todays society. There are many ocurrences that have happened that prove that point.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? - The central idea foe the inspieational research was based off the issue of women being degraded in society. The theme is conencted to other pieces as well.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? - While reading my reaserch I made inferences regarding the amount of times the central idea of this piece has been evident throughout the years. The piece made helps deliver the message and meaning well.
Clearly explain how you you were able to "identify the cause-effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork" - There were many aspects in the artwork created that demonstrates the cause and effect relationship between the art style of German Expressionism, Magritte, and Dali. For example Dali helped contribute the use of line and Magritte inspired the emphasis in the piece.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration? - The overall approach of the piece was to be somewhat of a messenger to the viwers. The symbolism of the images in the piece help deliver the meaning.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration? - I learned that in society the issue being delivered through the block print piece is very prominent in todays society. There are many ocurrences that have happened that prove that point.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research? - The central idea foe the inspieational research was based off the issue of women being degraded in society. The theme is conencted to other pieces as well.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research? - While reading my reaserch I made inferences regarding the amount of times the central idea of this piece has been evident throughout the years. The piece made helps deliver the message and meaning well.
Citation [MLA Format]
- “The Gradation of Fire, 1939 by Rene Magritte.” The Lovers II, 1928 by Rene Magritte, www.renemagritte.org/the-gradation-of-fire.jsp.
- “Landscape with Butterflies.” The Temptation of St Anthony by Salvador Dali, salvadordaliprints.org/landscape-with-butterflies/.
- “German Expressionism.” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/s/ge/curated_ge/.
- “Landscape with Butterflies.” The Temptation of St Anthony by Salvador Dali, salvadordaliprints.org/landscape-with-butterflies/.
- “German Expressionism.” Lee Bontecou. Untitled. 1959 | MoMA, www.moma.org/s/ge/curated_ge/.