Visual Analysis of Daughter of the Dancers - Essay Example

Visual Analysis: Daughter of the Dancers Visual images speak volumes of messages that they pass to the audience. In most cases, artists use visual images to pass a particular message to the public or the society. As such, it is necessary to analyze visual images in order to understand all the concepts and dynamics of the image pertaining to the message that it passes across and the artistic elements, as well as cultural, social, and historical elements in the image. There are several approaches used for analyzing visual elements, for example, the approach that uses composition, inventory among other elements. This essay analyzes a visual image of a photograph referred to as Daughter of the Dancers by Manuel Alvarez. This is a photo of a young girl with her back to the camera wearing white cotton skirt, and peeping into a circular cut into a dramatically patterned wall. Inventory Image of a young girl from the back wearing white cotton skirt, and looking into a circular hole or what appears as a circular window in a dramatically patterned wall. A wide-brimmed hat obscures her head and echoes the shape of the entryway. She is bare feet and stands tentatively on her toes with the right foot overlapping the left one as though she wants to create stairs with her feet. She seems to be investigating something mysterious from inside the tunnel in which her right hand has disappeared into the unseen contents of the void. Intense sunlight is revealed with the distinct shadow cast by the girl’s body on the wall. The girl appears to be searching for an unknown thing, which leaves us investigating the contrast between the fearful unknown and her innocence. Composition One of the evident principle of design in this composition is emphasis whereby the artist pulls our eyes to the void through which the subject seems to be searching for something. In addition, the lines create a horizontal view, which focuses the eye to the hole through which the girl is looking through. In this photo, the artist places herself directly in front of the action; thus, the camera is at right angle. Similarly, another composition element noticeable in this photo is balance created by formal or symmetrical representation of the subjects of this image. The circular shape creates a sense of substance and space particularly positive space taken up by the subject. In addition, shape is also seen in the complex and dramatic pattern of the rectangles and squares of the wall. The surface texture of this image appears rough with black and white value that creates timelessness. Finally, there is repetition particularly of the circular shape, which results into a composition with unity and balance. Visual cues Black and white is the color of this photo, but with various tones. In addition, there is a sharp contrast created by the shadow revealing the photo was taken during intense sunlight. With respect to form, the circular shape of the heart leads the eyes of the audience to peep into the circular tunnel that seem to capture all the attention of this girls as she looks for an unknown inside the circular hole. When it comes to depth, only the foreground is focused, as the background is invisible due to the dramatically patterned old wall that blocks it. However, depth is visible in the circular portal, which appears to go deep inside beyond the wall. Finally, there is little movement with the only one created by the girl struggle to see what is inside or beyond the hole. This minimal, restricted movement creates a sense of fear. Semiotic signs and codes The element of semiotic signs and codes in this photo is the exaggerated big hat, which resonates with the Mexican people. The kind of hat in this photo is particularly used for those who work in plantations perhaps to shield them from intense sun, as well as for some cultural festivities. Along with the long white skirt, these two semiotic signs and codes play a significant role in determining the narrative of this image. Cognitive elements The cognitive element visible in the image is salience whereby some objects such as the dark tunnel stands out more than any other object in this composition. In addition, there is dissonance represented by the tension between the subject who appears to be an innocent young girl and the dark portal, which does not seem as innocent as the girl looking into the hole does. This dissonance is essential in creating and shaping one's perception of this image. Another significant element of cognition in this photo is expectation, which plays a key role in shaping the curiosity of the viewer, as well as the subject in the photo. For instance, the girl probably has high expectation about what she is hoping to see beyond the dark tunnel or the wall. In the same sense, the viewer builds an expectation by imagining what the girl might be looking for beyond this tunnel. Purpose of the work The main purpose of this work is to show a contrast; however, this contrast may be interpreted in two different ways. One, this may be a meditation of innocence whereby the girl and her white dress is a symbol of childhood innocence, and the hole represented an end or near end to this innocence. Though the girl stares with a brave curiosity, we get the feeling that something creepy is inside the building. Another interpretation of the purpose of this image would be that the girl is ready and dressed for a dance festivity, but, unfortunately, she is left outside, thus, her desire to get inside. However, no matter how she calls, she is ignored by whoever is inside and left out. The hard cement and peeling off wall represents the hardness of the world outside, a fact that the harsh shadow and light accentuate. The contrasting dark window in this case symbolizes calm, coolness, and release from the hard world. Image aesthetics This shows a compelling narrative of innocence represented by a young girl in shining white dress eager to see what is on the other side of life. In addition, the sharp contrast represents a difference in either two lives or two different world; thus, creating a narrative of calmness, peace and on the other side, roughness. In addition, the fact that the girl is walking barefoot may create a culture of the rough world, poverty or lower social class, for example, peasantry. Finally, the girl’s attire from the large and wide hat to the dress creates a narrative of Mexican culture. Personal perspective This is a very compelling photograph because it is unlike the photographs that you see every day, which focuses on the faces of the subjects. This captured my imagination mostly because we only see the back of the subject; thus, much focus is given to the whole through which the subject seems to be gazing through as opposed to the subject herself. However, I cannot deny that it took me about 10 minutes to figure out what the photograph is all about, or what the artist is trying to say with this image. In addition, this image arouses curiosity enhanced by the sharp contrast created by the intense sunlight and the darkness inside the hole. This creative image resonates with other works of the self-taught photographer, Manuel Alvarez that I have seen. The cultural elements in the picture show that the artist probably aimed at exploring his culture using this picture. Historical perspective This picture looks as one that was taken in the 1990s particularly because it lacks recent photographic effects that are currently used in photographic works. In addition, several elements resonate with history such as the attire, which represents the period that cultural dances and festivities were common in the Mexican culture. The picture refers to Muchachita, which is the name used to call a young girl in Spanish. Muchachitas is also the name a Mexican telenovela that hit the airwaves in the 1990s. Therefore, this picture may represent the characters of the movie who were young upcoming artists struggling to make a career out of acting, and eventually they became stars. The girl represents a young Mexican girl in the 1990s, one whom I about to leave innocence behind and begin the rough life of developing a career in a male dominated world. Technical perspective In this image, the artist played close attention, and was aware of what was going on enabling him to come up with a quality composition. The photography is done on gelatin silver print, which was commonly used during the 19th century. In addition, the image seems technically important from the positioning to the use of light, as well as the timing to capture the exact moment when the girl is peeping into the circular portal. This shows that the photographer is a master of this kind of work because he knows exactly what he is doing, for example, what to capture and what to lay emphasis on. The artist plays close attention to detail such as the rugged cement, the wall paint peeling off, and the bare feet girl, which gives a narrative about the roughness that exist in this environment. Finally, the use of sharp contrast is also a technical component that reveals the intense sun and heat present in this place. Ethical perspective This photography raises several ethical issues. First, one cannot help, but sympathize with the innocent young girl who is about to meet the fear of the unknown. She seems curious and brave to enter inside, but she might not be aware of the danger that awaits the other side of life represented by the hole she is peeping into. Another ethical issue that may arise from this image is the use of an innocent young girl to represent the ruggedness of life or the world behind the photography. Nevertheless, this is a piece of art that does not fit the ethical perspectives such as utilitarianism, hedonism, golden mean, categorical imperative, golden rule, and the veil of ignorance. As such, individuals will make their own interpretation and conclusion about the artwork. However, what remains clear is the sharp contrast that represents a dark place and a bright place. Cultural perspective As mentioned above, the most evident element of culture is the attire, which includes the long dress and the hat mostly worn by the Mexican people. Thus, this image represents the dancing tradition enjoyed by the Mexican people especially common during the 19th century. This girl could be on her way to a dance festival, either to participate or watch, and that is why she wears the kind of attire that she has. Thus, the picture in every aspect suggests the Mexican culture particularly of dance. Critical perspective Finally, on the visual analysis of this image, with regard to the critical perspective I see this as a great photography that represents a good and careful composition. This image tells an interesting narrative that encompasses the elements of culture and history to tell a complete story. In addition, it is quite imaginative and arouses curiosity in the public by leaving the wondering as to what the girl might be looking for inside the hole. Nevertheless, I think it fails on the emotional component because we cannot see the subject’s face; thus, it is hard to interpret the kind of emotion portrayed by the subject. Overall, this image achieves the ability to freeze the moment in time because of its powerful nature. Daughter of the Dancers is a powerful piece of photography with effective composition that combines the principles of design to create a compelling piece. What is more interesting about the image is the imaginative nature, and curiosity that it arouses in one in a bid to understand the intentions and purpose of the artist. I have had fun analyzing this image based on six perspectives among the other aspects of the analysis. The analysis reveals that the image speaks volume about the culture and history associated with the photo. Lastly, the image uses several elements of photography to create a powerful narrative that draws the public to like it more and more. Daughter of the Dancers Work Cited Lester, Paul Martin. Visual Communication: Images with Message. Print. Read More