Premium Essay

Artist of the Floating World

In:

Submitted By NPC88
Words 1393
Pages 6
Neal Conner
History of Modern Asia
Ehlers
10/23/12
Reading Response to “An Artist of the Floating World” “An Artist of the Floating World” provides us with a unique perspective on the life of Masuji Ono and his struggles following World War II. Ono was a Japanese artist, and what seemed to be a Japanese nationalist. The end of the war coupled with Japan’s loss take a great toll on him and his state of mind. Ono works himself into this state of denial and shows this staunch unwillingness to change. As this story progresses, we see his perspective clash with those of the reality he is living in after World War II. This story isn’t really about art, but more or less a man’s struggle with finding a way to go on after the life and concept of country and world he had have changed. When first introduced to Masuji Ono, it is apparent that his vision for Japan was the great nation that was fighting the Second World War. Ono wanted a strong Japan, and a powerful empire. He believed in this vision that he committed his work and essentially his life to the Empire of Japan. He wanted to radiate his country’s greatness in his work. Ono had great pride in his nation. Everything about him was so heavily invested into his country, that it’s inevitable defeat at the hands of the Allied Powers was supremely devastating on his pride, his career, and even his humanity as he loses his wife and his son. This ultimately leads him down a path of nostalgia, play, and pleasure that is disgraceful, but the only way out of a reality that has no place for him. Early in the reading, it is learned that Masuji Ono’s art master wanted him to focus paintings that were about nature, simplicity, and beauty. This is a noble notion that Ono fails to understand as he is becoming increasingly more drawn by far right politics and the opportunity to illustrate Japan in a powerful light by painting and

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Fan Prints

...8 Views of Edo (Edo Hakkei): Fan Prints by Ukagawa Hiroshige Ukiyo-e, also called “pictures of the floating world” revolutionized art for Japan and for the rest of the world. Artists practicing Ukiyo-e would carefully craft woodblock prints depicting scenes of daily life against the backdrop of Japan’s landscapes. However, these scenes were far from ordinary. Each subject pops off the page with color and thrives within a scene of meticulous detail. Whether it be a landscape or a lively city scene, each print is eye-catching and unique. Some of these prints are well-known today, such as Hokusai’s The Great Wave or Hiroshige’s Sudden Shower Over Shin-Ohashi Bridge and Atake , but most remain relatively unknown. Utagawa Hiroshige was a famous master of Ukiyo-e prints with a wide variety of artwork on a variety of media. One such medium was uchiwa-e, fan prints. These images, although not as well-known, represent a great amount of his work. In particular, his 8 Views of Edo (Edo Hakkei), was very popular during his time. This collection, entitled Hakkei, is a series of scenes portraying beautifully dressed geisha women placed in the foreground of famous sites in Edo. Each plate includes a different location, including Mount Fuji, Ryogoku, Tsukuda and the Sumida River. Interestingly enough, Utagawa Hiroshige’s intention was to capture and popularize the majestic beauty of these places, not their geisha subjects. Woodblock printing did not begin with the Ukiyo-e movement. Instead...

Words: 685 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Cultural Narrative Characteristics

...where the “magic” of art comes into play. The various media can provide a way for individuals to express sentiments, relay experiences and narrate stories that are otherwise hard to communicate through words. For this assignment I chose two art works that embodied great cultural narrative characteristics: “Virgin/Vessel” by the Chinese artist, Hung Liu (Sayre 72) and “The Fickle Type” from the series “Ten Physiognomies of Women” by the famous Japanese artist, Kitagawa Utamaro (Sayre 204). The subject matter for Liu’s painting is an upper class Chinese woman. The artwork is done in black and white, with a pop of bold red in the center and some subtle brown color at the sides. The painting is representational as its form...

Words: 938 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Washed Ashore Project Analysis

...or say into the ocean, or being wind blown up to dangle in the trees. Trashformations: Recycled Materials in Contemporary American Art and Design provides a brief description of how a First World country, America, evolved its harmful disillusionments by way of consumer culture. “Americans relished prosperity after the Great Depression and World War II ended. As new goods flooded the markets in the 1950’s… many families had disposable income to spend on leisure activities… by owning the newest gadgets and machines… Obsolescence became a byword for manufacturers; styles changed quickly, so that last years model… was soon out of date. Excessive and unnecessary packaging, disposables such as diapers and plastic cups, and a plethora of new plastics… added to the problem. In only one generation, America was transformed from a nation of savers to a nation of wasters” (Herman 18). Globally this daunting factor remains. At this point it seems there is no better just worse, in view of what area of the world garbage waste is to be consistently laid to rest. An ominous view could be subject in mind; a cycle met and perceived harmful for the old to the young to the posterity to come. An example of discussion on trash art at the beginning of the book Trashformations includes twentieth century artists Marcel Duchamp’s Roue de Bicyclette, a bicycle tire attached to a stool, along with a quote by Pablo Picasso about the perception on how he created his famous representation of a bullhead from...

Words: 972 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Ukiyo-E

...Ukiyo-­‐e  is  a  famous  Japanese  art  concept.   Discuss  what  it  means  and  give  examples.     Ukiyo-­‐e,  "pictures  of  the  floating  world"  is  a  genre   of  woodblock  prints  and  paintings  that  flourished   in   Japan   from   the   17th   through   19th   centuries.     During   the   Edo   Period   (1615-­‐1868),   a   distinctive   Japanese  art  style  developed,it  is    known  as  ukiyo-­‐ e,   or   "pictures   of   the   floating   world."   Originates   from   a   Buddhist   concept,   the   term   ukiyo   is   translated  to  sadness  (uki)  of  life  (yo).  In  the  time   of   peace   and   prosperity   of   the   17th   century,   another   syllabary   emerged,   having   the   same   pronunciation  Uki  but  it  means  “to  float.”  Instead   of  expressing  the  sadness  of  life,  ukiyo  came  to  be   associated  with  the  temporary,  worldly  pleasures   of   Japan's   rising   middle   class.   Unable   to   change   their   social   status   and   regulated   in   nearly   every   aspect  of  their  lives,  from  behaviour ...

Words: 1281 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Homeopathy

...James Jean is an Artist with quite the imagination. His creations include a lot of graphic yet colorful material. A description of his art can vary from anywhere between breath taking beautiful, interesting, disturbing or terrifying. But yet, even though the most disturbing of his pieces can draw you in. I would say that James’s art is directed towards a certain type of audience; someone who can see the beauty in something that at first, can come off as confusing. The piece Homeopathic drew me in the second I saw it, this piece has a lot to say with a lot of things going. Homeopathic is terrifying yet interesting while also innocent. At first when looking at this piece, you think dark and depressing. Also a lot of questions came to mind. These questions consisted of; Why is there a child laying on the teacher’s desk while someone is holding their heart? What is that creature floating outside of the window? Who is that person wearing a hood in the back? Why is there a cat in the back left corner? I then realized that I didn’t even know what the name of this piece meant. This then led me to looking up the definition of Homeopathic, which I then learned comes from the term Homeopathy. The definition of Homeopathy is “Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicine created in 1796 by Samuel Hahnemann based on his doctrine of like cures like (similia similibus curentur), a claim that a substance that causes the symptoms of a disease in healthy people would cure similar symptoms in...

Words: 1270 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Two Napoleon Paintings

...Dulce Cambron Ms. Pagliaro Art 1B 23 April 2015 Napoleon Crossing Saint-Bernard and Leading the Army over the Alps There has been many artists throughout the years that have captivated the audience with their works of art and/or sculptures. Some of which still remain in important museums like the Musee du Louvre and the Brooklyn Museum. There has also been many artists of today that recreate past paintings and change the message being delivered to the audience. For example, in 1801 Jacques-Louis David created the painting Napoleon Crossing Saint-Bernard. This painting is now located in the Natural Museum of Château de Malmaison which is 12km from Paris. In 2005, two hundred and four years later to be exact, an artist named Kehinde Wiley created the painting Napoleon Leading the Army Over the Alps. This painting has been placed in the Brooklyn Museum and has become part of their collection. These two paintings are considered to be practically the same thing yet deliver a distinct message, as in the modern version it changes the main character as well as his appearance and message. Therefore, Wiley’s painting is better than Jacques-Louis painting as it expresses a different aspect of humanity being in power. Napoleon Crossing Saint-Bernard was a creation of the early 18th century painter Jacques-Louis David. It took Jacques-Louis around four months to complete this work of art, it was done from October 1800 to January 1801. Posterior to all of the terrific situation France...

Words: 1174 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Damien Hirst

...Damien Hirst Damien Hirst is a controversial British artist born in 1965. He is a painter and sculptor, among other things, and for the past decade has been one of the richest, most famous artists in the world. He is best known for the “Natural History” works, which are essentially dead animals floating in formaldehyde. Some of his other more notable styles of work include the so-called spin paintings (Beautiful Spill of Light in Destitute Blackness Painting, 2005), the spot paintings, and installations such as My Way, (1990-1991, bottles on a shelf) and a room-sized project called Pharmacy (1992). He has exhibited artwork made with butterflies, and is noted for shocking the public by using human skulls. Hirst also has been accused of plagiarizing other artists’ ideas. One of Hirst’s most famous works is called the Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991), a dead tiger shark floating in preserving fluid. It is part of the series known collectively as his “Natural History” works that includes fish, sheep, pigs, cows and calves suspended in formaldehyde. He has said of these works that he wanted “to make people think, not to totally shock the shit out of them for the sake of it” (Chaundy, “Damien Hirst: Shockaholic”). The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living was displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for three years. It looks like it would...

Words: 1442 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Art Notes

...Sketches That record an idea or provide info about something the artist has seen Plans or preparatory sketches More complex projects such as building, functional designs, sculptures, paintings, plays… Receptive drawing To draw something from observation Projective drawing To draw something from memory or imagination Contour lines Lines that only describe the edges of forms/objects Hatching A series of parallel lines that are used to create value ina drawing Cross hatching A series of parallel lines that cross over other lines perpendicular to them. Used to build value Cross contour lines parallel lines that curve over an object’s surface in a vertical or horizontal manner (or both) to create the illusion of mass Pigment powdered coloring material Dry media Abrasive, scratch across a paper depositing particles wherever they come into contact with the surface Liquid Media Particles of pigment suspended in fluid that flow onto the surface freely Ex: INK Dry media Metal point Pencil/graphite Charcoal Conté crayon Pastels Metal Point Drawing with thin metal wires Charcoal Burnt wood Not shiny black Conté Crayon Graphite grounded into a powder and dyed into a stick Pastels High-end pigments Also bound in a wax stick Wash Ink thinned with water to create areas of tone Media medium Drawing materials Fluid/ wet media 6 pics have to name which media it is Drawing media & pastel Fluid media & ink wash Italian...

Words: 1177 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Leonardo Da Vinci's Accomplishments

...However, Da Vinci was the one who could see that science need repeated experiment done to prove the undiscovered ideas. In 1489, he started to use a sketchbook on the study of anatomy. He made rough sketches of human organs that are impassible to see at his time. During the Renaissance, a growing concern for realism involved artists in more detailed and painstaking anatomical research. Artists wanted to represent and understand the movement off the limbs, muscles under stress, and facial expressions. To seek the knowledge of anatomy, da Vinci had to dissect many dead bodies to look inside, first secretly and illegally, then more openly. He had to risk the law for his own observation. (pg.37-38) Evidentially, his drawings reveal that he took a scientific, as well as a purely artistic, interest in the subject. His studies of the muscles, nervous and vascular system, and of the skeleton are fine examples of what we called the scientific drawing which clearly demonstrate the form and value of the body parts. (pg.39) Those...

Words: 1198 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Renasaunce

...tell us that it was a time of awakening and growth for people who are known by their art. Not only is art a major part of the Renaissance, but there was also a change in the point of views on life, religion and science. What was the “norm” before the Renaissance was now a thing of the past. Churches were split, and ex-members were now forming new churches with new ideas and practices. In some cases, people fell away from the idea of religion and grabbed a hold of the studies pertaining to science, and inventing. This brought about the invention of the printing press, and the exploration of painting with some different styles and techniques. Two-dimensional pieces of art now had a realistic effect and three-dimensional look to it as well. Artists were...

Words: 1101 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Bodhisattevara Analysis

...there are thirty three manifestations including female manifestations. This exhibition will focus on Guanyin, Guanyin is the Bodhisattva of compassion. The Chinese name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, meaning "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World". This exhibition will contain a variety of objects originating from different time periods. White-Robed Guanyin (Figure 1),Set of paintings showing a crane, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara and monkeys (Figure 2) and Guanyin(Figure 3). Guanyin in his white robe is represented through a mixture of compositions, these objects are related to symbols and context within the Chinese Buddhist culture that show his compassion, selflessness and purity. White-Robed Guanyin, (Figure 1) is an ink on scroll painting it overall seems to be a quick gestural painting with thin as well as thick lines. The wide layered vertical brush strokes that look like overgrown rocks give the perception of depth and perspective. The rocky island Guanyin sits on is called Putuo is located offshore in Ningbo. The large amount of empty space surrounding Guanyin can put this in the Zen painting category. This empty space makes it seem like he is floating in...

Words: 650 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Byzantine

...history, fine poetry, much religious prose, and the visual arts flourished too. The term, however, refers more to a style associated with Byzantium than to its area. Byzantine art was a religious art, the orthodox subjects were chosen according to traditional themes and theological meanings. Christianity had an immense influence on Byzantine art. Most of the artists remained anonymous working as servants of the court or belonged to religious orders. Panel painting, frescoes, Ivory carvings, Byzantine crosses, illuminations, metal work and mosaic decoration attest to their skill. Byzantine art was intended as religious lessons, they were presented clearly and simply in order to be easily learned. The Byzantine era lasted for an immense time period so it is difficult to make concrete generalizations about this diverse period. Byzantine art can clearly be seen in direct relation to foreign ideas and radically different styles, both architectural and artistic. Byzantine artist continued that which his predecessor had taught him, demonstrating the style of a particular region or school. This uniform made it challenging for artists to demonstrate their individual flair however emerging individual personalities started to seep into their work. This style is simplified, flowing and symbolic characterized by a rich use of bright color and strong linear emphasis. The attitudes and movements of the figures are artistic stereotypes boldly conceived and highly stylized creating strong symmetrical...

Words: 557 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Essay

...much in the way Romans organized their buildings. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (hereafter referred to as the SFMOMA) is most defiantly a civicly oriented building. Museums usually are, as they hold treasures for the people of the city to admire, but the SFMOMA goes beyond that. It is a symbol of pride for the people of San Francisco, and is known throughout the country as such. It was called "A vibrant new heart for art in San Francisco," by Morton Beebe in Smithsonian Magazine, July 1995. Millions of people go through the doors to see the constantly changing exhibitions in the many galleries. As the meuseuem was being renovated, this was probably a consideration. So, taking in to account that people would come from around the world to see not only what was inside, but the building itself, Botta designed a structure that was not only efficient, but pleasing to view as well. That is why the SFMOMA is a civicly themed building. The SFMOMA most definitely dominates the surrounding landscape. The color alone makes it stand out from the background. The vibrant brick façade is a visual shocker when viewed against the bland grays of the adjacent...

Words: 1542 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Visit a Local Museum or Play

...Assignment 3: Cultural Activity Report Jakie Liebhaber Christine Prickett World Cultures I 3/11/2016 I visited the Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art at 119 Main Street in Memphis, Tennessee. I work within walking distance of the museum, and I had passed by the museum many times. The collection of Asian art is the largest in the southern United States with more than 900 pieces. There had been carved jade, ivory, sculptures and many other forms of art that range in date about 202 BC up to the 20th century. The Judaic displays depict stories from the Old Testament and demonstrate the change throughout the centuries of the style of Judaic art. I was amazed upon entering the museum with the size and detail of the carvings that were in the front area. You can purchase an audio tour for $3.00 that gives great detail about the pieces on the tour. The Museum is décor and atmosphere is very eloquent and feels warm and inviting and makes for a very pleasant experience. The rich detail of the Ivory Pagoda temple was unusual in its size and the accuracy. It is an octagon shape and tall. The people on five levels of this hand carved are done very detailed, and there are many visitors in this sculpture. The walls were decorated with designs and symbols with excellent point precision. The roof on all five levels was formed perfectly and painted to make it look like it was gold with stripes painted on them. The carved ivory Ball-in-ball was intricate. The base of the sculpture...

Words: 480 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Pop Art

...The Pop Art movement began as a reactionary statement against the long running streak Abstract Expressionism held on popular art. It began the late 1950s, though it truly prospered during the sixties and early seventies. Pop artists utilized the imagery and techniques of consumerism and pop culture as a subject matter. As a style, it was based on using bright imagery and reproduction, to show the beauty of everyday objects. The movement set out to break down the distinctions between good and bad taste. Most importantly it broke down the distinctions between fine art and commercial art. One of the most well known artists of the Pop movement was Andy Warhol, a young commercial illustrator from Manhattan. Warhol’s use of popular icons and brands as the focus of his art is what made him famous. As an artist, Warhol used techniques that had rarely, if ever, been seen in the art world. He often combined painting and photography, by painting canvases silk screened with an image with bright abstract colors. Though he often used his own photography, he was also known for using the photography of others when he wished to portray a subject he never had or never would have the opportunity to photograph. The painting is a portrait of a young woman’s face which has been silk screened on to the canvas. You can see very little of her clothing, because of the tight crop of the painting, however she appears to be wearing a garment that ties behind her neck. Her hair is short, yet falls close...

Words: 787 - Pages: 4