Abstraction: Blog Post 5 Analysis of a Photograph
Artist: Andreas Gursky
Photo Name: Paris, Montparnasse
List 3 things the photographer might have been interested in capturing in this picture?
First, the photographer might have been interested in capturing the building’s modern design and its geometric patterns. This intention is evident as the building has a very unique structure. In addition, the photographer might be interested in depicting the daily lives of the residents inside. The photographer could create a story about city life by capturing the windows and the diversity within it. Last but not least, the different colors and materials in the windows could have been a point of interest, showing the visual complexity of the building and the high color contrast which also creates a sense of abstractness.
If you were the photographer, what title would you give it? Explain why.
“Life in the glass”
As we can see in the image, one of the main subject were the windows, which were made out of glasses. The photographer captures the diversity in side the windows. Thus, this title “Life in the glass” conveys the idea of how windows and glasses can showcase individual’s life and stories. This also highlights the connection between glass with human life.
Describe the use of line, shape, Pattern, texture, tone and focus.
Line: The grid of windows in the building creates a feeling of organization by incorporating both horizontal and vertical lines, which lead the viewer’s eyes through the image.
•The artist’s intention is highlighted through the organized, geometric layout of lines, showcasing the architectural design and systematic character of the urban surroundings.
Shape: The recurring rectangles of the windows enhance a geometric arrangement while the small changes in the window contents bring a sense of movement.
•The contrast between the structured, uniform forms and the slight differences implies the artist’s intention to harmonize organization and uniqueness in the urban landscape.
Pattern: The structure of windows forms a pattern that captures attention, with varying colors and decorations inside enhancing it.
•The intentional repetition highlights the artist’s aim to draw in the viewer and encourage a more detailed look at the city’s structure.
Texture: The combination of different materials and colors in the windows creates a sense of richness and depth, bringing contrast to the building’s flat surface. Overall the texture is rigid and uniform, which gives the building a systematic, almost mechanical appearance.
•The artist effectively communicates the balance between complexity and uniformity in the urban environment through the use of texture.
Tone: Overall, the tone is subdued, with gentle lighting that fosters a peaceful ambiance, encouraging contemplation about city life.
•The gradual shifts in tone from darker to lighter areas create a sense of depth and atmosphere, guiding the viewer’s eye through the composition – a technique that reflects the artist’s intention to evoke a contemplative, introspective response from the viewer.
Focus: The image is crisp and clear on the building, enabling observers to examine the complexity of the architecture and the stories conveyed in the windows.
•The artist’s intention was to draw the viewer’s attention to the intricate details of the building, encouraging them to immerse themselves in the urban scenery and uncover the subtleties hidden within its uniform appearance.
Citations:
“Andreas Gursky Photography, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist/gursky-andreas/. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024.
“Understanding the 7 Formal Elements of Photography.” Focus, focus.picfair.com/articles/7-formal-elements-photography. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.