Appropriation and Homage

  In today’s class, we have discussed methods of appropriation and homage to deeply analyse the works of the artists we have researched for our final project. In doing this, we learn to identify how the artist have used certain colours or placements of certain objects to create an effective work. We also learn how to ‘modernise’ certain aspects of their work, mixing themes or messages which may be more suitable in the current setting. It is similar to what we did in ‘Icebreaker: Recreating an Artwork’, where Sarina and I took an existing artwork and added a message of struggling artist. 

Fountain (1917) by Marcel Duchamp

 Appropriation, or reappropriation, is a method of creating an artwork by using an existing object, often keeping the form of the original object. One infamous example is the ‘Fountain’ by Duchamp, where he simply took a manufactured urinal and signed it. It may also involve taking the object and manipulating it, such as changing the colours or the formation, and adding a message to give it a stronger or alternative meaning.

 Homage, on the other hand, is more focused on honouring the original artist, closely mimicking the artwork but with your own style and possibly, a modern message. Therefore, the overall composition would be similar to the original work, and I think homages are better to not only respect the artist but to analyse and utilise the work.

Buddha Walking Among Flowers (1905) by Odilon Redon

 As I am researching Odilon Redon, and I have to experiment on abstraction, I decided to make an homage of one of Redon’s work with techniques of abstraction. I have selected the image above to analyse his use of reds in his work as this colour is quite dominant in Redon’s renditions of Buddha and gives a very vibrant but vivid feeling.

Process and final work on homage

 I have taken note of how we used abstraction in the Skills week, and used sponges and brushes to create a smudged and misty feeling. While keeping note of the composition of the original work, I used Redon’s use of red as a focal point to guide the viewers to the centre of the work. To suit with my theme, of the failing Earth and Buddhism, I added the text ‘no more flowers’ to contrast with the original title. While it is not my best work, I believe that I was able to better understand Redon’s technique and was able to experiment with abstraction.

References:

Duchamp, M. (1917) Fountain [Online Image] Available at: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/duchamp-fountain-t07573 (Accessed: 27 February 2023).

Redon, O. (1905) Buddha Walking Among Flowers [Online Image] Available at: https://visualmelt.com/Odilon-Redon (Accessed: 27 February 2023).