Victor Brauner piece: The art Suicide at Dawn

Art Suicide at Dawn

There is an interesting artwork that can be interpreted in any manner, but this depends on the angle at which your mind views it. This art is called "Art Suicide at Dawn". It was created in 1930 by Victor Brauner and it is presently situated in the Los Angeles county Museum of art.
A brief history on Victor Brauner: This artist was born in Piatra-Neamt, Romania on the 15th of June 1903. Out of other things that he is well known for, this is the most interesting one. (http://www.Guggenheim org/new-york/collections/collection-online/artists/bios/1502)

The Meaning Behind the Painting

This painting was created in the 1930s at the beginning of the second world war in Europe. This was just after he ran away from his hometown which was affected by Fascism something that he never wanted to be part of and he went to Paris. The paint is probably based on the European culture since it was painted during this period of time. It has some political, or social message for example it shows us a problematic government can affect the public and artists as well.

Analyzing the Artwork

Looking at this piece there are many analysis that one can come up with, there are two figures on this piece. And one of them which is the red figure is sticking out of the other figure
is bright. The bright figure is bleeding and its stomach is ripped by the red figure that is just hanging out from the body of the bright body making the expression pretty gore. Interestingly both figures have the same facial features since they are the same person. But what more interesting is that the red figure has unique eyes from the other figure because they seem to be looking at the viewer. The meaning could be that he has been feeling dead inside for quite a long time and its time he comes out feeling reborn and alive through the red figure.

The Title and Symbolism

The title of the painting has the word 'suicide' that means the readily death of a person, but the red figure is seen to have forced itself. So it might mean that the figures had an internal fight and the red one that is evil is winning. It might represent the conflicted self of the artist or even the struggle between life and death. It can also be related to the Romanian folk tales which hermit communes with the evil double spirit. (http://www.wikiart.org/en/victor-brauner/suicide-at-dawn-1930)

The Artist's Struggle

The piece can also show how the artist wants to kill himself but a part in him does not want him to go through with it. This portion of him still wants to live and so he is striving to make sure he stays alive. Due to the time period the piece was made, the artist has pity for himself because there is a possibility that he is showing his struggle for leaving his homeland. It must have been hard for him because he left the place he grew up in and escaped to a strange place.

The Background and Composition

The background of the art also might also have some meaning like for the artist might be lost in his life. The background of the piece is an empty void of darkness this shows he does not know where to go. But upon more contemplation of the picture it might not be depressing and tragic as it may seem. It's more of the death of one's old self who was corrupt, subject to conformity, and phoniness and path way for the true-blooded self within the unmasked sincerity and truthfulness. In a nutshell the piece captures the beauty of disaster and the continuing series that we face of devastation and elation.(http://larme-de-plume.deviantart.com/art/Reflection-on-Suicide-at-Dawn-360825484)

The Use of Surrealism

The lines of the two figures are implied lines, the composition of the piece is also interesting, it is oil on canvas. The dark background that contrasts with the bright colors of the two figures tells us there is a huge element of value. Surrealism is the method that the artist has used and it shows that the bodies don't have the naturalist form. He also gives different tones on the body parts of the figures like the arms and the legs to give the art a sense of volume. The art, however, does not display the two-dimensional aspect since he paints the muscles in such a way that they look more realistic and three-dimensional. The background is also composed of different colors, for instance, the top half of the piece is much lighter and has different shades of colors.

The Illusion of Space

This gives the illusion that there are clouds and the sky, but there is no sense because the figures are floating in this empty void of darkness. The art also does not have any consistency perspective, no ups and downs nor sense of depth. The texture of the art is also quite soft. The there is a strange thing about the quote and perspective of the art. It's also hard for the viewer to tell where the bodies are placed; it's like they are just thrown out there into a grand space. They are not evenly balanced body-wise and also as well as the background. It is clear that they are not on something solid nor are they straight. But if looked closely the body parts fit then well and they are evenly proportional in terms of size.

The Emphasis on the Figures

The main emphasis is definitely on the two figures since there is nothing more on the art. The purpose of the background is done to bring out the emphasis of the figures. There are no other paintings on the piece so there is basically nothing else to concentrate or look at on the figure.

Final Thoughts

Basically, the piece was enjoyable and very interesting to look at, it touched me and it made me believe I made the right choice selecting it. It made me come up with many theories and ideas about, and it also opened up my mind on the perspective of looking things. It made me realize that there are many angles of looking things in life depending on what you feel. The piece also seemed simple but behind it, there were so many meanings. I love grotesque artwork I felt that this piece was perfect for me. The piece taught me that there could be a lot of work that includes a lot of meaning.

Reference

“Victor Brauner.” Guggenheim
The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2016. “Suicide at Dawn Victor Brauner.” WikiArt
WikiArt.org, n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2016. “Reflection on Suicide at Dawn.” DeviantArt. N.p.,
21 Mar. 2013. Web. 03 Nov. 2016