These two pieces, like many others done by Kruger, consists of photographs overlaid with declarative caption. She has said that ‘I work with pictures and words because they have the ability to determine who we are and who we aren’t’. In ‘I shop therefore I am’, we see another common factor present in Krugers works which is the use of personal pronouns.
The concept of mixing photographs with text reveals the influence of the artist’s experience as a magazine editorial designer during her early career. I feel as though Kruger is trying to convey the idea of materialism through her work by making us question our ways of living today. She is trying to make us realise that a piece of garment won’t make us ‘rich or beautiful.’
Her play on words with the famous quote by Rene Descartes ‘I think therefore i am’ expresses that in today’s society shopping and materialistic things have become more significant over non-materialistic aspects of our life’s. These ideas have been communicated effectively through Kruger’s challenging captions and her ability to question society.
Mercantilism is an economic theory from the 16th to the 18th centuries. It was based on several ideas. Economic assets, wealth of nations measured by how much bullion (gold, silver-Bullionism) they have. The government encouraged exports of trade rather than imports to make a profit and balance of trade in a nation. Since the Renaissance Mercantilism has developed because the metal was limited to possess. Art works from the 16th through to the 18th century were about expressing wealth through the use of possessions. Kruger on the other hand is trying to say that nowadays a ‘luxurious garment won't make you rich or beautiful’.
Chessboard by Barbara Kruger
I love how well the colours work in this chess set as it looks quite sophisticated and edgy. It is pure genius how this is also a custom electronic kit which says things like “don’t even think about it” and “why prolong the pain?” as you play. I would definitely love to get my hands on this $30,000 set. I think the audience would find this piece intriguing and new coming from Kruger but saying that she has still stayed true to her consistent style. As in most of Kruger’s works the text, photography and the use of white and red is clearly evident. I feel that the electronic kit will be something that will get people talking as to whether they appreciate the constant comments or prefer the traditional chess board.
- http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mercantilism
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Kruger
- http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/feminist/Barbara-Kruger.html
- http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/Literary_Criticism/feminism/kruge r/kruger.htm
- http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barbara-kruger-chess-set
Barbara Kruger does use alot of texts in her work and i do agree that she uses these statments to make us think more about materialism in our lives and make us question about how we are living, also makes us think about what changes the world has made around us. I think that these statments do relate to us as you said that, things do determine how we live our lives and also i think that the possesions we have are just to show people what we want them to think about us but is not actually showing people who we really are. For the piece of artwork that you have chosen from Kruger, i think you are right about that, this artwork would get people talking as it is something different to her other work but also very intresting.
ReplyDeleteI agree that she uses a lot of texts all through her work and that they make us question our living today. It is also true that the works she uses are play on words and she makes us think more deeper into what she is trying to say. These help us to look outside of the square and not only see what is in the images but what she could be thinking about when she produces this image.
ReplyDeletei agree that she uses alot of text throughout her art work and being the main focus. Making us think about materialistic aspects of our everyday lives. The quotes question not only about the art work but persnal opinions and answers. i also agree with the edgyness of her work it is very with colours and the form she has done with this piece as it helps us understand more about the image.
ReplyDeletei agree with you on the barbara kruger work she uses short phrases which are the main focus which shows some peoples state of mind and explores why people buy materialistic items which may not be necessary. you mentioned that materialistic items have become of more significance in todays world and it is true as quoted from Barbara Krugers first piece "i shop therefore i am" it shows people think to be somebody in todays world you must buy these materialistic items. the few colours used in the images also does create a atmosphere helping the viewer understandmore of the image like bobby said.
ReplyDeleteBarbra Kruger loves to use text, she expands the meaning of what she stated and makes the viewer think alot more deeply about the message she is trying to convey. Barbra's message 'I shop therefore I am' represents that material items are needed in todays society, due to people being judged by what they wear and own. People see different messages through certain artists but thats the mystery she possesses by sending a message through her artwork and viewers trying to decipher what her message really means. Lan, Chloe, Bobby & Zach's comments are all true and adds more emphasis on the piece.
ReplyDeleteWe are often caught up in the material side of society. We are often bombarded with different media telling us what we need in order to be "rich and beautiful" I admire Barbra Kruger for the way her art work doesnt tell us or force to do anything, it just leaves simple text to allow us to step back and think about what is going on around us. Having said that, it is popular today to buy clothing that best tells other people who we are and what we believe in. We can often tell a personality through clothing, but yet we still don't understand the person themselves.
ReplyDeleteShe is the artist who is well known as the graphic workers with black and white photography. Her works are well explained about the mercantilism in 17th and 18th century. She normally uses texts on their works well to give strong ideas. Also with the texts, she uses the strong colors red as an example. Because this red color attentions people to the works so that people can focusing the messages more than one time which is on the works. However she doesn't make the works complicated. The works are all simple. I really like the styles how she does.
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