Jing Assignment #2

Idol- Not only has she become an icon in America and around the world, her generosity, spirit, and her magnetic personality make Oprah a true idol for many. Her face is one of the most recognizable African-American Woman and she is loved by many. Not only is she an icon visually, her actions are iconic as well like her favorite things, giving away cars, and even her booming voice is also highly distinguished.

Image/Content-



Iconoclasm- While on a smaller scale, this vandalism of church statues in Cheektowaga, NY shows that iconoclasm can occur anywhere. The culprit, a 30 year old homeless man believed he would be rewarded by God for destroying the so-called false idols.

Image/Content- Here, Italian painter Caravaggio depicts the actual moment when Christ called upon Matthew, who later became one of the twelve apostles and writer of the first gospel. To the unknown viewer, the painting doesn't appear to be religious because of the use of such an average setting in a dreary room. The use of light glowing in upon Matthew appears to be Godly and gives the impression that the calling itself was monumental.



Non-Objective- Wassily Kandinsky's "Composition X" is a great example of non-objective art. Some of the movement in the painting seems to present a subject, almost musical, but the colors and placement of shapes offer no explanation of any background information. Even the title itself gives no explanation, but maybe the "composition" can also be interpreted as fluid movement of music.

Abstract- Working alongside Picasso, Georges Braque created "Fruitdish and Glass" which is abstract. The images and words on the drawing suggest some fruit, but the use of stained wood, the appearance of foam, and the words "ale" and "bar" may suggest something else. It appears as though grapes and pears are in the picture, but the dish itself is distorted.

Representational- While some believe that artist Grant Wood may be poking fun at the rural midwest population of America with his painting of "American Gothic," it is actually a representational piece of an 19th century couple. Wood decided to paint a couple whom he thought would live in the cottage in the background. The stern faces and pitchfork represent hard labor and life in the midwest during this time. The clothing and home represent a time of that era.