DESCRIPTION
-- The theme I have chosen for my museum is "white noise". I find this to be an important theme to me as I tend to listen to white noises to fall asleep. I chose it as I believe the different meanings of anxiety and nervousness can reveal itself within the many different feelings in between those. I hope that the artworks picked represent a quiet or static-like feel to them.
STATEMENT
-- The impact I would like for my museum is one that allows you to think. I hope that it allows the viewers to see the journey between that feeling of anxiety to a more calming nature, which can be soothed by white noise. Something that allows you to open your mind further to what's outside your own box. I want my visitors to experience a quiet feeling when viewing these pieces, and I want them to be able to leave knowing they saw these artworks in a different aspect than most would. I also hope that the impact would be comforting. The impact I would like to have on the world is one where I hope many would open up their mind and have the ability to seek comfort in things that are right in front of you.
room one: unease
The first room of this museum showcases the heightened feeling of anxiety, and it vibrates with being encased in unease and everything in between. It displays the true gut wrenching feeling when we feel sick with nervousness. These artworks all hold the similar feelings of anxiety, unease, and not feeling comfortable.
Anxiety (Made in 1894) . Edvard Munch.
(CONTENT) -- Anxiety is a well known emotion that's felt, especially when we feel unsure about things. Looking into the artworks content, the subject matter is the woman with a grim and unsettling look on her face, followed by men who have a distorted look on their faces. There seems to be at least five men who are present. The allegory is seen in the woman as she sees to be holding the men's emotions, which is undoubtedly something that anxiety implements into one's mindsets as it can make you carry and hold those emotions for others unknowingly. The form is seen in the sky, as it shows swirl-like colors, which can seem that way due to a cloudy memory, as you can't exactly tell which way the sky is moving. The colors are seen in a blended way, so it's an in between feeling. The symbolism viewed from the woman and the group of men on the bridge, which also showcases the unsettling and quiet feeling that further adds to the image as well.
David with the Head of Goliath -detail- (1609-10). Caravaggio.
(CONTENT) -- Uneasiness can be demonstrated on one's face, as it's one of the easiest things to decipher, especially since it can be quite hard to hide it. The overall message from this piece shows fear and restlessness. The subject matter is looking off to the side, with a creased forehead. His eyes look to be tired, and the setting is very dark. The symbolism through subtext is seen in the upper part of his forehead, as it shows a darker plum colored spot. This is the symbol of going through a very rough patch, or not feeling very well mentally. This feeling is shown throughout his entire face and the artwork. The meaning from form is seen throughout the darker blacks and greys that surrounds the head.
The Scream (1893). By Edvard Munch.
(CONTENT, FORM) -- The subject matter is seen to be a green, longer figure who is walking across a bridge with hands that are more longer than usual. There is also dark blobs that trail slowly behind the. The implied texture is seen in the blue lines that is supposed to imply running water that doesn't end: much like how anxiety feels. The symbolism through allegory is seen in the green figure being different than the rest, which shows the differences and the inability to blend in. This can also pinpoint how one may feel "singled out".
room two: somber
This room is meant to represent the dull and quietness that many experience after coming down from anxiety ridden situations and times in one's life. The quietness and overall heavy feelings still linger throughout this room, but it's sat with throughout the entirety of it. The sheer quietness one sits in after unpleasant situations can be the loudest of them all.
The Girl by the Window (1893). Edvard Munch.
(CONTENT) -- The subject matter is seen within a girl by the window in the middle of the night. It shows the night pouring through the window, and the girl looks to be taking it in as it is. The setting is displayed as very quiet. The symbolism through subtext is seen through the girl looking at the window -- and seeing who she could be instead of who she actually is. It can be seen as a "mirror" and seeing that the possibility is still there, just like it always is. The overall message of this artwork shows that the quietness is very prominent, especially during the night. It can lead to ruminating and self reflection. This piece reflects the after effects of those feelings of unease, and how it'll always calm itself eventually.
North Sea in Moonlight (1823-24). Casper David Friedrich.
(CONTENT) -- The subject matter in reference to the setting shows a grey and bleak lookout to a body of shallow water. The water seems to be hitting the rocky shore, and it's surrounded by larger pieces of rock and dirt. There's also a boat right at the shore. The symbolism through allegory is seen through the boat making it past the rock ridden waters, which symbolizes making it out to the other side, and defeating any troubles that one may have had on their journey. The overall message is seen as demonstrating the rocky path that was experienced, and being at the end point. It shows that there's always another side of things that await you.
Winter Night In The Mountains (1914) . Harold Oskar, SOHLBERG.
(CONTENT) -- Just like an ice bath, colder things are proven to make you feel more awake. This is seen in feeling the most alive when in a colder environment. The subject matter is seen in the setting, as there are big mountains covered with snow. The symbolism through subtext is seen in the snow, as it's frozen ice, and it can be a very jarring thing to touch whether you are prepared or not. This is an implied meaning as it can jolt energy up as it can feel very unexpected, much like how it feels to come to one's senses after feeling low. The overall message is seen as the mountains covered in snow stand tall, with some being more duller than sharp. It also implicates the amount of walking being done, based on the snow coating the ground.
Sunlight In The Blue Room. Helga Ancher Knitting in her Grandmother's Room. (1891) Anna Kirsten Ancher.
(CONTENT) -- Everyone has a hobby they enjoy that makes them feel the most safe. Whether that be collecting, organizing, or making something: it's different answers across the board for each individual alike. The subject matter is seen knitting in a corner. Knitting is a hobby that can be a stress reliever, and something that can heighten one's happiness. The room is more open, which references a clear mind with no worries. The symbolism through subtext, more specifically a hidden meaning of knitting memories together, just like how yarn is woven together. The overall message shows the everyday peace of enjoying hobbies, especially as the title refers to being in their loved one's room.
room three : healing
There will always be the need to heal after going through long lasting feelings of anxiety. This last and final room is meant to showcase feelings of relief and healing, which all have common themes of nature. These all encapsulate different sceneries where nature begins to ground you, after experiencing tenseness and anxiousness.
The Rose Garden (1877) Carl Frederick Aagaard.
(CONTENT) -- Nature is very healing, especially when you need to feel rejuvinated! The subject matter shows a duo behind a picket fence where the roses fill the sides of the art piece. It also perfectly crafts a walkthrough to travel right towards the fence.The symbolism through subtext, more directly towards the implied meaning of the flowers, and how they will always bloom again after a cold season. It also shows The overall message shows the clear path towards the pair, much like how everything is colorful around them, showing the raw beauty of the Earth around them. It also signifies the openness of human connection, especially when one experiences highly altering emotions, more so when they tend to lean more negatively.
The Four Elements: Earth (1626-28) Francesco Albani.
(CONTENT) -- The prominence found in nature is very recognizable as many find peace and solace within it. The subject matter shows the Earth in it's fullest form, as there are dark green trees and a sky with clouds. It also showcases cherubs and angels playing around on the grass and having a good time. The symbolism through subtext shows that everything on Earth connects to each other, and that we are all one. The overall message shows the different pieces that make up Earth, and put it into one place to fully represent it. I also believe it holds the message of healing using Nature to do so.
Danubian Landscape (1520-25) Albrecht Altdorfer.
(CONTENT) -- The subject matter is a hiking trail path that leads to a cluster of castle-like spaces! The setting takes place in the forest and near the mountains, by a large body of water. The meaning from form sets the mood for a quiet and late afternoon like vibe, which is seen throughout the clouds and the lighting of the artwork. It also affects the feeling of the message as it allows it to properly blend the painting well. The overall message of the artwork is meant to connect the subtle happiness to nature, as it shows that it must have been a long path, to which peace has finally arrived.
View of Vienna from the Prater (1834) Rudolf von Alt.
(CONTENT) -- Family is also a big thing that people around the world use as a form of healing, much like various different holidays where they tend to gather with each other and spend time with everyone they know. The subject matters are seen in close proximity of each other, while two are sitting, and one is standing. They are sitting on a hill that has an overview of beautiful trees and horses. The meaning from form is seen in the vast amounts of different shades of green, as they all blend together beautifully. The form affects the overall mood as it allows the view of summer or spring to be prominent, as well as the feeling of restfulness. The town is also seen in full view and detail as well. The overall message shows heavy feelings of unity as it shows the plain but strong peace of being surrounded by people who you choose to be around every single day.
A Gentleman with Horses by a Stream (1790s) Jacques-Laurent Agasse.
(CONTENT) -- Healing can take place in many different forms. For many, it involves animals and their pets. The subject matter is seen with three horses and a dog. They seem to be on a trail, and are stopped in time while drinking water and resting. The shrubs around them are very prominent and full of color as well. The water is shallow and the man seems to be playing with the dog while they wait. The meaning from form is amplified due to the colors being very bright, which in turn affects the mood and makes it a very pleasant image to look at. The overall message and meaning of the artwork is meant to show relaxation and playful energy with the horses and the dog present. The man also looks to be dressed nicely, which contrasts yet goes together really nicely with the animals around him.
The end of the 'White Noise' experience.
This concludes the 3 rooms of White Noise, which signifies different times in one's life where it can be used, and in which what the settings look like, in order for one to turn towards it. I hope these art pieces resonate with you, with either the you of the past, or the you of the future.
Credits:
violet velasquez. 11/29/24.