20th Century Art History - MoMA Museum - Essay Example

20th Century Art History Paper MoMA Museum Feelings, ideas, innovations and malfunctioning of specific relationship between humans and the world are expressed via various avenues. Through this human character, sculptures have emanated and erected in places that the audience can view. A change of different times has emanated a class of its own in art work. 9th century has seen upcoming of various ideas and expressed in the form of carvings, moldings or even real wood sculptures. Inside the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), various sculptures are on display from various artists since the beginning of 19th century (Fred S. Kleiner). In the museum, Alberto Giacometti and Marisol work is displayed on the 5th floor of the premises. Alberto Giacometti’s work known as the tall figure III on display in the museum present a different intention from Marisol’s LBJ. Analyses of the two sculptures qualify their similarities and differences depending on the perspectives taken. In the following paper, the sculptures are analyzed according to their size, materials used, placing on the museum gallery and their 360 degrees perspective. The creators’ use of styles and technical pros determine how the message carried by the sculpture is presented and embraced by the audience (Temkin). In the museum, the relationship between the sculpture and the surrounding displays are covered in depth. From this analysis, a personal view on the ideas, presentation and understanding of the writer is presented as a conclusion at the end of the paper. The tall figure III of Alberto Giacometti and Marisol’s LBJ have similarities and differences (Fred S. Kleiner). Alberto Giacometti: The Tall Figure III Alberto Giacometti was born in Switzerland and started his art work in France. His work started during the pre World War II in Europe. The overall work touches on the nature of the population in Europe between 930 and 1970. It particularly presented the suffering nature of the people of Europe. The tall figure III is one of the renowned works of Alberto Giacometti. A brief history of the sculpture leads to Chase Manhattan bank in New York in early 1960s (Michael Peppiatt). The physical appearance of the sculpture is depicted by its name. The tall figure III is thin, tall and made of bronze. Since being conceived in New York, MoMA kept the sculpture in remembrance of the artist. It is located on the 5th floor of the museum. There are other sculptures by the same artist that features in the same floor. This gives the room ambience view by visitors and brings back the memories of post world war II sufferings. As the artist say, the work give the closest form of experiences of that time. This was the driving force behind successful work. The initial sculpture was made of plaster. The bronze sculpture is a modern form of the original work by Alberto Giacometti. The tall figure III present the real content of historic nature (Michael Peppiatt). Marisol, LBJ Revisiting the artist, Marisol was born in 1930 in Paris France. She was in touch with the political events that took place in Europe at her time. Through constant travelling between Europe and America, Marisol had more contact with different political alienations (Diane Telgen). LBJ was conceived after the assassination of President John F Kennedy. This led to the rise to power of Lyndon B Johnson as the president of USA. LBJ presents a wood carving of the president holding portrait of his wife and two daughters. The carving was perfected in 1960 and placed in MoMA on the 5th floor. The working presents the characters of the late president Johnson. The perfect work symbolizes a defined form of LBJ administration tactics. Presentation of the sculpture stipulates the feelings of the artist in the form of content and form of work. Being placed on a platform in MoMA, the surrounding figures do not dominate this work (Temkin). Differences between LBJ and the Tall Figure III The first visible difference in the two artistic works is on the material used. Both artists had a different view on the materials they preferred while presenting their ideas. From Alberto Giacometti perspective, plaster produced the best figure. This originates from the history of the tall figure III outside Chase Manhattan Bank in New York. The bronze sculpture has a stronger understanding taking its tall and thin nature. The bronze finishing gives it the distinctiveness in the museum floor. It confirms Alberto’s words, "All the art of the past rises up before me, the art of all ages and all civilizations; everything becomes simultaneous, as if space had replaced time (Fred S. Kleiner). Memories of works of art blend with affective memories, with my work, with my whole life." Use of bronze followed his imagination and need to capture replacement of time with space. LBJ by Marisol is a wood carving. It presents two dimensional carving from wood. Use of wood by Marisol and two dimensional figures preoccupied her nature from being a former painter. The difference in materials used presented a diverse view on the gallery (Temkin). Marisol carving can be viewed on two dimensions while that of Alberto Giacometti is a 360 degrees view sculpture. This difference is distinctive from a distance by all visitors. They are placed positions that take advantage of their nature and dimension. Two dimensional figures can only be viewed from one side while 3 dimensional figures are all round. From a block of wood, the front part is carved the figure of Lyndon B Johnson and small portraits of his wife and two daughters. The portrait part of the carving can only be identified from behind. Alberto tall figure III can be identified from both front and rear (Carol Kort). This presents a distinctive difference in the two. In consideration of artistic intention, both artists sent the message of political nature of the time. The difference in their intention lay on the intended audience. Alberto focused on the suffering of the people of Europe while Marisol looked at the unpopularity of President Lyndon B Johnson. Alberto Giacometti tried to convince the masses and the leaders to take responsibility of their suffering. Post World War II presented the biggest challenges to Europeans. By standing tall even if challenged, the masses would achieve more. Marisol intention was focused on the sitting president to change administration tactics (Richard Lee Roth). Other work displayed in the same space give different ideas in the two sculptures. For tall figure III, the surrounding work has been done by other artists while for LBJ it is surrounded by other work by Marisol. This presents a characteristic of changing times in galleries. The lighting in both presentations is different. Two dimensional figures cannot get same lighting three dimensional figures. The two dimensional portrait fit well on the wall while a 360 degrees sculpture fit well at the center of the room (Richard Lee Roth). Similarities between Marisol and Alberto Giacometti Sculptures One of the most distinctive similarities of the achievements is the timing. Both sculptures by Marisol and Alberto Giacometti were done during the 60s. The idea that preoccupied the two artists emanated from the political temperature of the time. In Marisol’s time, the president of USA was unpopular among his people. Marisol captured the moments of the time after Jon F Kennedy was assassinated. The president oppressed the masses while implementing his government policies (Diane Telgen). This is similar situation that faced Alberto in Europe. After World War II, the governments that followed and their leaders oppressed the masses. They had preconceived political alienation in developing the artwork. Other artists have ranked the two sculptures amongst the active records of history. Handling of materials by Marisol and Alberto convey the real organized simulation of ideas. The talent depicted in this classical artwork arouses the thoughts of modern artists. They shared a principle of where they started their work. As put forward by Alberto Giacometti, (Michael Peppiatt) "Just the same, if I begin my statue, as they do, with the tip of the nose, then an infinity of time will not be too much before I get to the nostrils.” The protruding part of a sculpture determines the end result of a carving. This view by the two artists brings in solidarity amongst modern artists in major fields. The tall figure III and LBJ by Alberto Giacometti and Marisol respectively have received applaud in the modern world by many people. The work, act as propelling fuel for modern artist to use satire in art to condemn social, political and economic shortcomings from leaders. Presentations of artwork in galleries play a vital role in determining the inception in people. Critics have used the work to expand their thoughts and classical work. The technical and stylistic choices used by both artists produce an impressive output (Carol Kort). This is realized by the views and feedback received from visitors at MoMA. The ideas presented by the artists have fit in the current society. Personal Thought From the analysis of the work done by Alberto Giacometti and Marisol, preconceived social problems propel artists to create a lasting artwork. Both artists had direct relationship with the problems experienced in the society at that time. These problems are being experienced in the modern society. As a result, the sculptures have meaning to the current population in all parts of the world. Presentation of artwork in galleries plays a vita role in publishing the work. Well presented artwork meet the functional point meant to keep. Lighting, location and other work surrounding the sculpture determine what the viewers perceive. The changing of the tall figure III from plaster to bronze had little impact on the visitors (Temkin). The time frame since the sculpture was built 52 years swallow the change it has undergone. The lives of the two artists played a vital role in shaping the ideas that are presented by the artists. Oppressed people will use ways in which complains are heard and attended to by the ruling camp. Through satirical and humorous presentation, artists push forth artwork to stir people to react. Therefore, the two sculptures give the ideas and thoughts that were in the people at that time (Fred S. Kleiner). Works Cited Carol Kort, Liz Sonneborn. A to Z of American Women in the Visual Arts. New York: Infobase Publishing, 2002. Diane Telgen, Jim Kamp. Notable Hispanic American Women. New York: VNR AG, 1993. Foote, Andrea J. Psychobiography of Alberto Giacometti: Uncovering Early Dynamics Using an Object Relations Perspective. califonia: California Institute of Integral Studies,, 2006. Fred S. Kleiner, Helen Gardner. Gardners Art Through the Ages: A Global History. New York: Cengage Learning, 2012. Michael Peppiatt, Alberto Giacometti, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Fondation De LHermitage. Alberto Giacometti in Postwar Paris. Yale: Yale University Press, 2001. Richard Lee Roth, Stephen Pentak, J. D. Roth. Design Basics: 3D. Chicago: Cengage Learning, 2012. Temkin, Ann. Abstract Expressionism at the Museum of Modern Art: Selections from the Collection. New York: The Museum of Modern Art, 2010. Read More