Tuesday, June 08, 2004


This weeks work of Art (an occasional addition to the blog) - I and The Village by Marc Chagall (1887-1985), painted in 1911,oil on canvas. What hits me is the colour and "wholeness" of the picture. Like he has captured the whole village in one non-conformist cubist rectangle. This is held at The Museum of Modern Art in New York - I will see this one day. Chagall is renowned for his distinctive use of color and form, which is derived partly from Russian expressionism and was allegedly influenced decisively by French cubism.
 Posted by Hello

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Umm, this one I'm struggling with. There is a lot to it. On first sight I thought "yuk" or probably "uh?" but I keep looking at it so I guess it can't be "yuk". And every time I look at it something else springs out. I think the problem is I'm thinking about it and shouldn't art be instant response? Is it like meeting somebody for the first time you can decide in the first 90 seconds whether or not you like them/it? Den

ttt said...

Thats precisely the problem with society and its treatment of art and everything. Its all about instant gratification. I used to be the same - one glance was all it took. I never took time to look and examine, use different angles, try and see the different things in the painting or sculpture. But do you listen to a sing once and dismiss it? Do you watch a film once and dismiss it, try a food or drink once? No , most of us persevere and to be honest the slow burners are usually the longer lasting. Thats why art galleries are so relaxing, because you take time to look!

Anonymous said...

Oh you are absolutely right. However, also is the problem if you try/see something and you don't like the plot/taste/texture etc. the chances are you won't see/try it again. My greatest possession is a picture my son painted when he was eight. Its a copy of a Van Gough..unfortunately I don't know the name, I have seen it once as a poster. When he first brought it home, it was Mother's pride that made me hang it up, not a liking for the picture itself. However, twelve years down the line, it is still hanging on the landing and I adore it..it is no longer my son's piece of work it is a lovely piece in its own right. So I guess I'm agreeing with you .. I will keep looking.