Harrison and Wood ‘Art in Theory’ Summery

In the beginning of the twentieth century artists began to explore ways to create new art which would stand along side classical art but which would be of the future. The route these artists took was expressionism which is the communication of one’s own concepts and beliefs.

The explosion of the modern was spread across Europe. The city of Paris took the lead. The development of Cubism ensured that this remained the case. The modern also developed throughout most of Europe; however urban centres, including Italy and Russia, were late to secure this development.

Modernity refers to changed circumstances and the adaption of change in society in order to improve ways of life.

There were two responses to the modern. While some believed it created a fast-paced phenomenon which was new and exciting, others believed that the human life was being increasingly controlled by the ‘machine’.

Artists used cubism. The way it was understood ensured reason for conflict as it expressed the artist's own views.

Comparative Image Analysis

The Uncle Sam Range’ (1876) by Shumacher & Ettlinger, New York

This image was created when different races came together and Americans began to pay attention to tradition by celebrating Independence Day.

Present in the centre of the page is an image of Uncle Sam, a comical American figure, which symbolized national personification of the United States and, in particular, the American government. The red, blue and white striped clothing symbolizes the colours and patterns of the American flag.

The image of the world could symbolize the different races coming together; it is believed that, in the hands of the earth, is a menu. Are the world and Uncle Sam one and the same? Does Uncle Sam have equal status as a powerful country and governing body. The strength of the United States looks at the rest of the world as its equal. It will not be regarded by other countries as superior but cannot be told what to do, how to govern itself. Equal rights seem to underpin this picture.

What did you do in the War? by Sevile Lumley

Poster is to promote British men to come and fight in world war one. Advertisement along with others like this created at the time use guilt as a recruitment strategy.

The image creates the scene of children asking their father what he did in the war. This shows emotional blackmail and would have made Men at the time wonder what they would say.

This image of the boy shows him playing with toy soldiers, This shows that he thinks war is a great thing and that one day he may want o become a soldier.

Expression on the man’s face suggests he was not one of the men who served his country at this time and is embarrassed to tell his children why he didn’t fight.

The poster is a perfect example of the propaganda used to subconsciously force men into going to fight in the trenches in World War One.

Comparisons

Both images present a central image of a man – women had little opportunity to voice their opinions at these times. Men were the breadwinners and women were not involved in politics.

Each Picture combines illustration and text to communicate its message would both have had a profound impact at the time and would have been used for propoganda purposes.

Colour is incorporated into both and is generally flat and dull to reflect the hardships of the times.

Both statements in the pictures use higher case lettering/capitals and italics in their main statement to capture the viewer’s attention.

Children are present as a key feature in both pictures as the decsions men made would leave a leagcy for the children of the nation and the families within that nation.

The Pictures both leave the viewer in suspence wondering ‘What will happen next?.’