Traditional Vs. Digital

Rene Magritte was born in 1898 in Belgium. His father was a tailor and his mother designed and manufactered hats until she got married. When Magritte was 13, his mother committed suicide by drowning herself in the River Sambre. His mother was found with her dress covering her face, which has been suggested to be incorporated into his art through objects or clothing hiding faces of his subjects. He studied at the Academie Royale des Beaux-Arts from 1916 to 1918, but found the authority and instruction uninspiring. He created his first surreal painting in 1926. Critics disliked his art. Depressed by his failure, he moved to Paris and became involved in the surrealist group. However, after being unsuccessful in Paris, he moved to Brussels in 1930 and began working in advertising with his brother. He lived in Brussels for the remainder of his life and died in 1967.

Thomas Barbey was born in 1956, in Connecticut. However, his parents moved to Europe when he was 6 months old. They continued to move across Europe. Photography started out as a hobby for him, but he eventually began  earning a living as a fashion photographer.

Artist: Thomas Barbey

Title: Goin' Nowhere

Description: An elephant who's legs are tree trunks growing from the ground.

Analysis: I think the black and white coloring of this photo worked well. The focus of the photo is clearly the elephant because it's in the center. The lack of color allows you to focus on the main subject without being distracted. You can tell that the elephant is the focus, however the greyscale allows it to blend in well with it's surroundings.
Interpretation: The elephant, due to it's tree trunks, is fixed where it is. I think the elephant symbolizes a person who's permanently stuck where they are in their life. The trunks symbolize some difficult situation or obstacle that someone can encounter and is unable to overcome. The way the elephant seems to be in the middle of taking a step symbolizes that people can be rooted right where they are in the middle of their journey without even realizing it. I think the cars/roads/houses below the elephant shows that his life has progressed around him. His roots have disabled him and he's unable to control or participate in his life.

Judgement: I really liked thinking about this photo. I think it's easy to connect with. I appreciate it when you're able to find a complex meaning in such a simple photo.

Artist: René Magritte

Title: The False Mirror

Date: 1928

Description: An eye with the sky as the iris.

Analysis: The painting is symmetrical and the contrast of the dark skin and the bright sky works well.

Interpretation: "Eyes are the window to the soul." I think the empty sky symbolizes the vacancy of the person's eyes. The eyes are facing right at you but there are no signs of any life behind them. The person's mind is empty.

Judgement: I think this painting is successful in being so simple and yet open to many interpretations.