Introduction
For this assignment, I am choosing the Museum of Modern Art. This choice is inspired mainly by my desire to vividly see the diversity that the realm of modern art possesses, which is made easier by online touring. I expect to witness modern art in all of its great diversity and spend plenty of time contemplating the meaning behind various pieces.
I look forward to more stranger pieces, the ones that, at first glance, do not belong in an art museum because those are usually the most exciting to decipher. However, I do not look forward to possible lags that would prevent me from enjoying the work smoothly and naturally, as it would be in a real environment.
Artwork Information
- Unknown Pleasures
- Mathew Wong
- 2019
- Painting
- Twenty-twenties
- Oil on canvas (“Mathew Wong. Unknown Pleasures,” n.d.)
The work was created by a Canadian artist affected by autism and depression. The piece is a product of Western and Chinese influence. Based on the life of the artist, who was a Chinese immigrant, it is safe to say that the work is a fusion of Western and non-Western influences. The artist himself stated that in his works, he attempted to fit into the Chinese painting equation while seeking entry into the New York world of art (Khatchadourian para. 77).
Critical Analysis
Art Principles Used
The given work provides a large variety of art principles. First is the use of proportion, where the linear perspective is lacking, making it akin to works of primitivism. The second art principle employed in the work is emphasis created by vibrant shades of blue, white, and orange, reminiscent of the work in the Fauvism realm. The last art principle is contrast, achieved by the use of vivid colors and precise brush strokes, which are common features of Post-Impressionism.
Mood
The overall mood of the piece could be described as melancholic and hypnotizing. The colors used to depict the scenery are shades of blue, except for the sunset, which includes a variation of blue and orange. The color blue is strongly associated with melancholy and sadness, but at the same time, its variety creates a sense of warping reality. In addition, the lonely mountain in the distance adds to the notion of the melancholic atmosphere. The whole scene feels surreal due to the contrast of muted and vibrant, vague and sharp concepts.
Context
The primary context of the work is the fact that the creator was a person who struggled with depression. In addition, Wong was a Chinese immigrant whose parents had to move to Canada due to his mental health. In his works, Wong attempted to merge the Chinese influence with the styles and ideas of various Western painters whom he admired. Unfortunately, his battles with mental health issues resulted in a tragedy where he committed suicide at the age of thirty-five.
Purpose
The primary purpose of the work is to depict a path towards a mountain, presumably the one that holds all of the unknown pleasures. The composition and colors used in the painting provide a sense of loneliness, making the artistic statement that the road to pleasure is a lonely one. The sky behind the mountain is illuminated by an alluring sunset, pointing to the fact that the mountain is the primary focus of the work. Thus, the main statement lies in people’s need to experience unknown joys, with this idea shining brighter than any other notions in their lives.
The work reflects the human condition as lonely but strong in its capability to find a purpose in seeking new pleasures. The road to the mountain and the mountain itself are at the forefront of the painting, which shows the creator’s outlook toward life. In the melancholic landscape of life, a human being can find distraction and joy in pursuing new endeavors, which means pleasures.
Artwork for Comparison
Unrealistic Colors
“The Starry Night” by Vincent van Gogh, created in 1889, is the work that I am choosing to compare to Mathew Wong’s “Unknown Pleasures.” The given works share three common qualities. The first is the disregard for the natural rendering of color that is prevalent in the works of Post-Impressionists. Both pictures present an alight sky, with color distribution that is far from realistic.
Mood
The second is the whimsical, melancholic, and hypnotic nature of the presented scenes, emphasized by the abundance of blue color in contrast with bright sparks of orange and yellow. The bright colors in both pictures symbolize the source of importance and its pictures’ focal points.
Unrealistic Shapes
The third is the favor for solid colors and shapes instead of realistic representations of life. Van Gogh’s work uses solid brush strokes to portray the sky as a whirlwind that cannot be found in real life. On the other hand, Wong’s brush divides the sky into several stripes of different colors.
Artwork Value
As touching and enticing as the work is, it needs to withstand the test of time to be considered a masterpiece. Based on this comparison, it is safe to say that the creator was capable of expressing an emotion using impeccable technique just as well as accomplished masters of the art. In addition, to be considered a masterpiece, a work needs to provide a revolutionary concept or be incredibly influential and critically acclaimed. The work has garnered impressive reviews from critics and was created as a fusion of two different art forms. Therefore, it is safe to assume that “Unknown Pleasures” has the potential to become a masterpiece in the future.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the virtual trip through the Museum of Modern Art massively exceeded my expectations. While I did expect to see many works that would be baffling and incomprehensible at first, their variety and volume were astonishing. My favorite part of the experience was seeing works by people I had never heard of, which led to me discovering new and exciting artists. My least favorite part was the slight disorientation I felt due to the abundance of material to explore.
Works Cited
Khatchadourian, Raffi. “Matthew Wong’s Life in Light and Shadow.” The New Yorker, Web.
“Mathew Wong. Unknown Pleasures.” The Museum of Modern Art (n.d). Web.