Molotov

On the Rights of the Molotov Man

The Molotov Man's struggle in his real life was a personal one in his own country. The documentation of this event led to a photograph that changed not only it's imagery, but also it's context. The Molotov man was a rebel who was fighting for change, and the original photograph was the evidence of this victorious moment. Yet this image was then put on the internet, and it's popularity sparked a wide array on interpretations and contexts. When I Google searched, Molotov Man, I the results were a staggering array of imagery that have nothing to do with it's original story. But how often does a picture have to be manipulated before it looses it's original form all together? I think an image merely transfers it's identity from one idea to another, and it's usually the majorities idea that wins. 

In this case, most of the changes have been more towards the idea of a revolutionary figure in society. That's what the new Molotov man represents to a people who face struggle with their communities, and governments. He's become the hope, the answer to the question of, "can we do something about all the wrong in the world?". 

The original context of this picture was a moment of victory, yet it's interpretation as a sign of revolution gets muddied once it becomes an advertising slogan for products like Pepsi. Suddenly he becomes an advertisement for a product, he becomes mass produced, and in turn he becomes a product. Similar I think to what Andy Warhol did with his Marilyn Diptych. He repeated her famous image over and over, which showed her being mass produced, like a product of her own fame. 

I think becoming a product dehumanizes the image entirely.Molotov Man isn't a man anymore, just a picture that represents an idea. The idea started as a moment in victory, and ends as a Pepsi advertisement, because soda and revolution have so much in common anyway. This Dehumanizing makes the person in the image, and his original intentions almost nonexistent. The person behind the image no longer matters because the image becomes its own creation of meanings that vary depending on it's interpretation. 

For the Molotov Man, his original picture, taken by Susan Meiselas isn't going down without a fight. Thanks to this article there is an explanation behind the phenomenon of the Molotov Man. Yet, I think it's almost too late to capture the man behind the image. He'll always be a symbol of hope, and revolution, maybe even a symbol for Pepsi. His identity as a person was stripped from the moment the image was turned into a painting. Nobody asked who he was, or what he was even fighting for. They objectified him, and turned him into a icon without a question as to where to photo even came from. I think it's amazing that we as a people feel so safe to jump to our own conclusions about what we see. We feel safe to translate visual information into our own interpretations so much so that we don't even look back to question it. For the Molotov Man, his image was transfered and lost in translation to everyone but the people who were there when it was originally taken in Nicaragua.

* I was unable to find the Pepsi advertisement that was in the article.*

Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

Journal Entry

The memorial is situated across the street from BSU in a small corner right off the greenbelt. The memorial contains several different areas that can be explored, each with its own purpose. There are two separate circular reading areas that are surrounded by water. There's also the amphitheater, which is surrounded by semi circle stone benches. In the center, is a window cut into stones where the statue of Anne Frank herself stands. There is also the Universal Declaration of Human Right's walls out in front.


Lots of light colored stones, and rocks fill in around the area, and even a small water way that runs past the reading areas. There is plenty of greenery, including trees, and grass. It's a very picturesque space, with a lot of circular motion, everything seems to follow a circle pattern in the design.


The large stone benches were one of the first things I noticed. Also, the large Declaration of Human Right's walls at the front, which are large raised plaques. I also liked the water, and and the little isolated areas for reading off to the sides.


Awhile back, in 1994, a traveling exhibition of Anne Frank came to Boise. The event attracted thousands of people, which sparked the idea for a permanent memorial to be built in Boise. The memorial itself was designed by Kurt Karst, who used natural elements as stone, water and plants to incorporate the feeling of hope in humanity. Greg Stone created the bronze sculpture of Anne Frank herself, and the funds to pay for it came from Idaho school kids. The idea for the park itself came from several community leaders, human rights stalwarts and people from across the state and country.


The written Declaration of Human Rights is the main attraction of the site. I think it's great that this memorial provides access to anyone who wants to learn more about their rights. There is also a wall of quotes from world humanitarian leaders, which I thought were very inspirational.


The intended function for this site is to allow for people to know what their rights are in this world. We all are the same, blood pumping, air breathing people, and we all deserve our humanity. Our history, and even in current events show the mistakes we've made and continue to make. I think this is a great memorial because we're teaching the next generation to embrace a new humanity, where everyone is allowed the same privileges. The memorial I think is a huge success. It's public access is non restricted, people can go, learn, and ask questions. It allows everyone the opportunity to think about whats going on not only in our community, but also the world.

Artist Spotlight: Annette Messager

Messager is known for her works using different medias. Including photographs, prints, drawings and various materials. She's also a partner artist with Christian Boltanski. I enjoy her work, even the dead squirrels are interesting to look at. 

Museum Exhibit Analysis

Exhibit #1

Cabelas, Barbed Wire framed Animal Prints. These prints were on display in the home section on a wall, all of them were for sale. Dimensions are 14 3/4'sX17 3/4's.

The first picture I looked at was of a  male caribou laying down amongst its heard. His head is raised, which makes him appear on alert in comparison to the other animals. I think whats being conveyed is the ideal setting for a hunting party. The caribou has a large rack, which makes him a valuable target. But having the picture in this context, in a hunting and fishing store makes it difficult to discern any alternative motives aside from hunting.

Describe:
The picture is actually very pretty. It has neutral colors, and is encased in a large wooden frame that has barbed wire wrapped around the outside, and several smaller caribou animals on the frame itself. The painting is monochromatic, and has two caribou laying on the ground. The larger animal is obviously the male, he has a large rack and beautiful brown and beige colorings. The other animal is a female who is sleeping towards the front plane of the piece. There are also two black and white birds lingering in the picture as well.

I think it's a very well done print. I love the coloring, and how they chose to present it in the old wooden frame with the wire. I really like the rustic, outdoors look and thinks it's a very pretty piece of art work.

A framed print of a painting, which has two caribou laying down in their herd. Surrounded by a old wooden frame, inlaid with barbed wire and more caribou figures.

It's a display in a hunting store, it's about animals, mostly big game animals that are popular among hunters. The prints are beautiful though, and they show the grace of these beasts in all their glory.

Docile, calm, peaceful, relaxed, rustic, outdoors, protection, safe keeping, serenity, family, alert, sleepy, down time, satisfied, comfortable, cautious, wild.

They have a small display which shows the name, and the dimensions of the piece, as well as the price. They are arranged nicely on the wall, makes it appear more like a museum show piece rather than an art sale.

These animals I assume are representations of what we know of caribou behavior in the wild.

The point of view is straight forward. The animals are almost centered, and lined up, the female in front of the male. However, they're both lying sideways. The male caribou has his head turned slightly towards the viewer.

Interpret:
The overall meaning I think is how caribou act in the wild, and how they act with each other within their herd. Like I mentioned earlier, the male seems to be on alert, as if he's heard a noise. This could be a representation on the caribou being hunted from the caribous perspective, how they first hear the noises of the hunters drawing closer. But that could also be a misinterpretation based on where the picture is located.

The rest of the herd isn't included in the image, just the two animals in front. But there is a indication of another animal nearby; you can see the rump, or butt of another animal from behind the male caribou.

I think the information is conveyed to reach a certain audience, in this case being hunters, or outdoors
men who shop at Cabela's and likes for their out going lifestyles to be reflected in the decor of their house. I think the context from which the artwork is displayed does have an impact on its meaning directly. I wouldn't expect to see a piece like this in a coffee shop.


Exhibit #2

Cabela's. Hayden Lobson Wildlife Prints. The Den Mother. For sale on wall of Cabelas. Dimensions are 27 X35. Paint.

Describe:
The painting is about a family of bears, a momma and two cubs. All three of them are standing on a river bank, surrounded by walls of rocks, and fallen trees with moss growing on them. There's also a river, or a glimpse of a river flowing in front of them. I think it's a really happy picture, seeing a family of bears together, in their private environment.

My first impression is that it almost seems kind of ironic, showing a picturesque glimpse of a happy bear family in a hunting store, filled with guns and stuffed dead animals.

It's a square picture, plain wooden frame. The picture is a print from an original painting, which depicts a bear family, a momma and her two cubs. Behind them, they're surrounded by large rocks and fallen trees covered in moss. In front of them is a river, and a small water fall which the bear cub is standing next to.

It's a picture of a bear family, near a river bank in the woods. The momma bear is a brown bear, while her two cubs appear to have a darker coat of fur. I'd assume this setting is in the spring time, because that's the usual mating season for wild life.

Wild but tame, calm, serene, family, togetherness, dedication, love, playfulness, trust, curiosity, teamwork, adventure, survival, strength.

Under the paining there is a small plaque that says the title of the work, The Den Mother by Hayden Lambson.  It's also hung on the same wall as the last painting mentioned above, so it has the same museum appearance.

I would have to say its a simulation of what the artist visualizes as animals living in the wild as a family. The representation I would assume is accurate however.

The viewer is looking directly towards the bears, and the bears faces are pointing all different directions, except for one cub who looks like he's curiously looking out at the viewer, while sniffing the air.

 Interpret:
The overall meaning, I'd say is the meaning of family, and survival. It's a family of wildlife, but we still all have the same basic instincts when it comes to survival. I think the representation of wildlife, again, pertains to a certain group of outdoorsy people. I would assume the artist is one of these people, and enjoys the great outdoors. That would of course influence his work a great deal, and limit his audience and buyers, which is the outdoorsy type.

Overall, for both pieces I think they're place on the wall is very effective. It's in the home goods section of the store, which allows the viewer to decorate, or imagine a piece within a certain space.

Artist Spotlight: Christian Boltanski

Christian Boltanski

Christian's work is definitely something I've never seen before His use of photography, light and shadow captures the imagination and adds almost a creepy sensation when viewing his works. He uses is photographs as a means of "painting", by slicing, collaging and lighting them in order to express memories, or feelings of the human condition.

Artist Spotlight: Ann Hamilton

Ann Hamilton

 Hamilton's work is a unique blend of performance, photography, video, textiles, and sculpture. Best known for her s environmental installations, Hamilton's work often combines sensory elements of sound, taste, smell and touch. She is as interested in verbal and written language as she is in the visual, and sees the two as related and mutable elements.

Artist Spotlight: Susan Meiselas

Susan Meiselas

I find her work to be very real, very scandalous almost. Lots of nude work, which is always fun to see because most people don't feel comfortable looking at a naked woman. But art isn't supposed to be comfortable, and I enjoy hers because of that reason. Her work seems to be primarily black and white photography. But I also found some images she has taken in Nicaragua, which were in color mostly.

Artist Spotlight: Fred Wilson

Fred Wilson

Wilson is an artist to who doesn't use his own hands to make his creations, instead he relies on other people to do that for him. But what he does use is his creativity to piece together his exhibits just the way he wants them. His unusual juxtapostion of objects causes the viewer to question the limitations of cultural institutions and how they have changed interpretation of historical truth and artistic value. His works are very different, but they all are creative that I find interesting to say the least.

Artist Spotlight: Walker Evans

Photography: Walker Evans

Walker Evans was a great photographer who never really had his due. He worked for Farm Security Commission to document the effects of the great depression. After his work with them, he later went on to publish a book, "Let Us Now Praise Great Men", which followed the lives of three farming families. This documentation led to the peak of his career. I enjoy his subject matter, and his use of the camera, the angles, and tones. I think it really captures the period of the depression, and the hardships that must have been felt by everyone.