This week I will touch on the subject of manipulation of art, and its tentative impact on culture.
Artist, M.C. Escher - is one of the world's most famous graphic artists for his so-called impossible structures (Escher Company. 2010). He explored the concept of representing infinity on a two-dimensional plane. For instance, in his work, Relativity, a 1953 lithograph, he combines the theme of paradox with another common proprietary theme - the staircase (Epand. 2010). In Relativity, the laws of gravity are defied in favor of rooms and staircases that are turned in every direction (2010).
But what happens when the today’s self-made amateur starts manipulating Escher’s work in light of, e.g., correcting the laws of gravity in the piece of Relativity. Or augment the impossible structures in an attempt to ‘correct’ these thoughtful errors (by reproducing his work in a three-dimensional pane) or update the artwork with today’s technology, ideology or futuristic surrealism?
Look at some examples and see what can happen:
Escher Art Pictures
Deviant Art
I think that we have to merit artists based on their contribution to culture and the significant impact their work has accomplished in societies at large. In the past, Escher’s work allowed us to think differently – to look at things in a different way. If, in today’s augmented culture, we continue to change his work through digital reproduction, his hallmark will be lost to most of the new generation; they will not be able to grasp the artist’s upbringing, history and authenticity; and the tribute paid to that specific era in art – set in the 90s.
References:
Benjamin, W. (1935) ‘The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction’. In Benjamin, W. (1992) Illuminations. London: Fontana Press, pp. 211-244.
Epand, V. (2010). ‘The Paradoxical Art of MC Escher’ (Internet). Accessed on August 19, 2010. Viewed from ezinearticles.com
The M.C. Escher Company B.V. (2010). Accessed on August 20, 2010. Viewed from MC Escher
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