Art: Montage

In my options, subject options, I have chosen art as one of my subjects. For this term, we have begun to focus on works of arts that are related to photomontages. Specifically those of the works of Hannah Hoch's. A photo montage is similar to a photo collage and to a modern technique popularly called photoshop.  It is the arrangement of photos in a way that conveys an idea by putting them in certain ways. At times the outcome of the finished montage does not at all look like the photos in which we have started with. As we have learned, we have also been tasked with making our own photomontages. For this first, we needed to make pages around 8-9 in where we can put pictures that we would like to put in our actual collage. We needed to use photos that were labelled for reuse and have edited and contorted them in ways that we desired to make 3 collages. 

The subject is not just 1 object, it is a multiple of mixtures. I want the eye of the viewer to search around with their eyes. Mostly though the topic of this collage is Japanese tradition. They are all intertwined through each still provides a piece, much like a jigsaw puzzle. Looking at the mythology of Japan, I use photos that will contribute to the picture. All of the fragments are of Japanese source, however, each does not bore the eye with such collage. It is a tribute to a Japanese art form, Kabuki, it is a stage play much like a “theatre”. The imaginative and beautiful clothing, style that they put in. 

The scale of the pictures that are used in the collage is varied. There are some parts that I have emphasized through, enlargement and teh change in contrast and colour. The collage possesses a mixture of colour, varying from black and white, colour as well as sepia. Even as if there is a mixture of colour that has been used, it still somehow produces a vintage feeling montage. Sepia and colour, quite blend together; there are elements which blurs the edges. Having a warm coloured background, with a sepia subject creates an “earthy” texture. Types of art that I have included, are as such, drawings, portraits, paintings, landscapes and real pictures. Some of the landscape and the drawings have been created as a background to further confuse the eyes.

The fragments are layered, though it could still somewhat be perceived as a flat imagery. I do not have repeating parts. All of the added fragments are all different. There is not a “most” important part, though they vary in size they all contribute quite equal to the picture. For this particular piece, I have used a function that added shadows, yet it isn’t too visible. I have used layering and overlapping, with like a theatre performance set.

I want the viewers to wander their eyes around the picture. Puzzled at the fragments and the many colours of this montage. There is no meaning as such in the montage, but having combined the pieces in such a way, creates a mood of abundance where the viewer can’t focus on a singular point. There is such values in the montage but one of what I think I would interpret it; within my art learn to focus on one part. Within the many “distractions”--the many fragments--you should focus on what you want. I have thought of a meaning which is contradicting what I have said in the previous, which is focusing on a singular subject. For this, I have also found that it could also be interpreted as there are many things that are around, try all the different pieces and see all the many different views and outlook that can be seen.

For my art, personally, I do not want a set meaning, for me, there is to be not a singular meaning into my art. Though I have taken inspiration and likeness into Japanese art and theatre; also have conveyed a certain feeling through the colour. I want the viewer to make their own meanings, what can you see from the art that I have created? I want those who view my art to-- as if I want them to make their own collage within my collage.  Connecting, piecing and putting together fragments of the montage and making a new story each time it is viewed. Looking at it in each time with a new perspective.