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Exploring the idea of difference in ‘Portrait of V I Lenin in the style of Jackson Pollock’ by Art and Language.Assignment 4. VS1. Understanding Visual CultureStudent Number 515629Meg Cubitt150256016226200Contents:Introduction ………………………………..……………..… Page 3Altered interpretation/perception in art …..…………..……Page 4Art and Language …………………………..………….……Page 5 Jackson Pollock ………………………..……………….……Page 6Vladimir Illyich Lenin………………………………………… Page 7 Difference- comparing and contrasting…………….……… Page 8 Difference that subordinates’ identity ………………………Page 9 Conclusion ………………...…………………………………Page 10References ……………………….…………………………. Page 11Cover Image: Art and Language, (1980) ‘Portrait of V I Lenin in the style of Jackson PollockIntroductionI am going to discuss the idea of difference in Art in Languages ‘Portrait of V I Lenin in the style of Jackson Pollock’. Initially I am going to explore how prior knowledge or ignorance of both Jackson Pollocks style of art, and the identity of V. I. Lenin, affect the viewers understanding of this, and I will also compare the distinction between two types of difference. Art and Language were innovative frontrunners in the conceptual art world, pushing boundaries and exploring the social and psychological aspects of the world. Their group name, ‘Art and Language’ indicates their repertoire, since did not just create paintings, but used indexes, essays, performances and photography, merging it all together and producing an interdisciplinary collection. 1778535730600[] Altered interpretation/perception in artArt changes as the world evolves. This was most dramatic when as the need for realistic depictions has become obsolete, since the invention of camera. We are now able to experiment and use creativity. With this, we can explore the idea of perception, and use art to depict scenarios that perhaps may be impossible in real life. Specifically, there are two different forms of art in which perception and interpretation is altered somehow. The first form is where there is confusion between the picture and what it depicts. In this first painting, a boy from another time period climbs out of the frame as if it was three dimensional and he was going jump down onto the gallery floor. The second type of altered interpretation involves art which contain ambiguities or discrepancies within the painting itself. ‘The Ambassadors’ at first glance appears to be relatively realistic, however from a certain angle you are able to perceive a skull in the lower third, symbolising the imminence of death. The life experience of each individual viewer changes its meaning and significance. 267068213825800left12477400 [][]Art and LanguageThere are four different categories of people experiencing Art and Languages ‘Portrait of V I Lenin in the style of Jackson Pollock’, all of which will have completely different interpretations. Those who do not have any knowledge of either Jackson Pollock, or V I Lenin, for these people the painting is meaningless. Those who recognise the style of Jackson Pollock but not the portrait of V I Lenin, for whom the expressionistic style of the painting is most prominent.Those who can see the portrait of V. I. Lenin but not Jackson Pollocks style, for whom the iconic image within the painting is prominent. -30416570558800Those who can see and understand both Jackson Pollocks style and V I Lenin’s portrait, whom would be the ‘ideal’ or ‘most informed’ viewer. To create this piece of art, Art & Language initially drew what was called a ‘flash portrait’ of V. I. Lenin. You can see an example in this flash portrait of George W Bush. They then made this flash portrait into a set of stencils, and each individual stencil portrayed a different layer of tone. These, all layered together, create a full image of Lenin. They were individually laid down in stages whilst paint was dripped, splattered and poured over the top, in the style of Pollock. []Jackson Pollock[] The artist Jackson Pollock was an abstract impressionist, , who had an iconic style of art which involved paint being dripped, splashed and flung onto a large canvas on the floor, usually comprising of a restricted colour palette. This action painting compromised of the use of his whole body, and was non-representational, mainly trying to show emotion rather than physical objects. Using a simulacrum of Pollocks artistic style in Art and Languages ‘Portrait…’ indicates the idea of creative risks. This element refers to its genetic character, the circumstances of its production and how it was made. To have no prior knowledge or understanding of Jackson Pollock will ultimately make this painting seem completely meaningless and messy, perhaps a snap judgement would be that it seems childlike and very easy to replicate. However, its iconicity is instantly recognisable to those who have previously seen Pollocks work and understand how much artistic knowledge such as colour theory, expression, composition, goes into creating a piece of work like this. Vladimir Ilyich LeninVladimir Lenin was a Russian political figure in the 20th Century and the head of the USSR. In 1917 he started working against the government, led what was known as the October Revolution, and three years of civil war followed. He had a disregard for the general working population and crushed the opposition. The use of Vladimir Lenin in this painting indicated a stereotype of political symbolism and indicated the idea of historical risk. This element of the image refers to its ‘iconic’ character and aesthetic. Since this painting is so abstract, some viewers will struggle to see Lenin within the paint splatters, and those uninformed viewers who do not know of the Russian political figure, and only the title of the painting ‘Portrait of V. I. Lenin…’ gives the only indication of his involvement. After seeing the title, some people will be convinced they can make out a face, perhaps that of a nameless person, not necessarily its titular character. 20271771132200[]Difference - comparing and contrasting.Artistic style of Art and Languages PortraitSimilaritiesArtistic style of Jackson PollockThe yellows and reds are hints of splatters rather than blocks of colour. No blue.Colour pallet – yellows, greys, black and whiteBlocks of pure colour within the splattered paint, in blue and yellow.Intentional iconic image within the splatters – portrait of V I Lenin.Style and method of creation – splattered, dripped and flung paint.No intentional image or meaning within his work, purely aesthetic. Automatism – unplanned way of making art, using chance.Not much of the background is visible, high density of paint. Mostly light greys and whites make for a more blended overall image.Abstract, no realism involved, gestural marks used to create a piece of art. More background visible, less dense amount of paint splatters. Mostly strong blacks and yellows make for a more striking overall image. There are two types of difference. The more commonly used idea of difference is the comparing and contrasting of two different things, where its identity as a painting comes first. We can use a table to display and explore this. Iconic image of Lenin in Art and Languages PortraitSimilaritiesRegular photograph of V I LeninAbstract depiction, unrealistic, modernismIconic intonation, they are both portraits of V I LeninVery realistic and detailedSplattered paint roughly indicating tonal areas of Lenin’s face. Areas of light and dark, variety of shaded tonal areas.Clear and obvious portrait of Lenin.Colour palette, includes yellows and a hint of redInterpretation of both images depends on prior knowledge. The image would be meaningless to someone who didn’t know who V I Lenin was.Black and white, no colour at all.Difference that comes above identityThe second definition involves the idea of difference coming before its identity. An example of this would be going into a supermarket and understanding that a pear is different to an apple. In regards to Art and Languages painting, this involves the idea of being able to identify the difference between the image of V. I. Lenin and the stylistic expression of Pollock, and how the image differs with each interpretation. center19967800[] ConclusionIn this essay I analysed the many aspects of difference in Art and Languages painting ‘Portrait of V. I. Lenin in the style of Jackson Pollock’. I showed how each person’s experience of this image will be unique based on prior experience. I gave background information about both Pollock and Lenin in order to educate the viewers. I discussed the various uses of the word difference, the first being the more general use of the word as comparing and contrasting two things. I compared and contrasted ‘Portrait of V. I. Lenin’ against a stylistic painting by Jackson Pollock, giving examples such as how both images were created in a very similar manner, but there were differences, such as Pollocks work was completely abstract, whereas Art and Languages represented someone.I discussed how the second use of the word difference involves identity being secondary to its identity, in this case it is the differences between the various interpretations that is most important. ReferencesArt and Language (1948), Portrait of George W Bush in the style of Jackson Pollocks “Number 5”’ [Image]. [Accessed 12th April 2018]Art and Language (1980) Portrait of V. I. Lenin in the Style of Jackson Pollock V. [Image] [Online] Available at: [Accessed: 12th April 2018] BBC History (2018) Vladimir Lenin (1829 -1924). [Online] Available at: [Accessed: 12th April 2018]Hans Holbein the Younger (1533) The Ambassadors. [Image] Available at . [Accessed 11th April 2018]Harrison, C (2001) Essays on Art and Language. MIT Press, USA. Lisson Gallery. (2002-2003). Art and Language: Mother, Father; Monday. [Online]. Available at: . [Accessed 12th April 2018] Meyers, R (2007). What Is Index 01 Like? [Online]. Available at: [Accessed 12th April 2018] Pere Borrell de Caso (1874) Escaping Criticism. [Image] Available at: [Accessed 11th April 2018]Pogrebinsky Jr, A. (1917) V I Lenin in a Wig and Cap. [Image] Available at: [Accessed 10th April 2018] Pollock, J. (1948) Summertime: Number 9A. [Image]. Available at: [Accessed 10th April 2018]Tate: (2018) Art and Language. [Online]. Available at: . 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