Barbara Kruger and Mercantillism

"We have recieved orders not to move" - Barbara Kruger 1982

. Describe the 'style' that Kruger has used in the two presented works. It is evident that in both of her work's presented here are good examples of experimenting with imagery and media. Kruger likes to portray the poster look in most of her work, and juxtaposes text and images to display the power of imagery and it's effect towards the audience, e.g the audience may interpret her work as advertising material or propaganda.I think Barbara Kruger's style isn't really distinct, because of the commonly used fonts and colours in most of her work, but how she composes all of the different media, images and texts is very well-done and connects with the audience. The clever messages that she includes into her work's strengthen the connection between the viewer and the artwork.I would describe Barbara Kruger's "style" as bold and poster-like, using her gender and the stereotypes that come from being a "female" to express herself in her artwork. In one of her works it feature's a woman pinned on a wall with the text, "We have recieved orders not to move," (1982) which could be read as a stereotype because of the mentality that men are dominant and woman are conquerable,easy and passive.

2. What are some of the concepts and messages that Kruger is communicating in them?

In the first image, " I shop therfore I am", (1987), it shows a hand ,holding a card with the text, "I shop therefore I am-", printed in bold san-serif leters,which I think connects with the audience really well. The fact that she has left the sentence incomplete suggests that we try to figure out what word fits into the sentence.

I think I have a fair idea of what word would match, although it could be anything, I still reckon there is an actual answer. Judging by the majority of work that kruger has produced and the consistency of themes or ideas shes portrayed in her work's, one that stood for me was her sensivity and focus mainly on gender and stereotypes.She has a lot of work that refer to woman. So I believe that this piece is another contribution to her collection of female power or dominance theme. In conclusion to my search for the right answer, if there is one, would be- I shop therefore I am.. a woman?.

The second image, "Face it(green)" (2007), is quite an eye opener. The bold text both at the top and bottom of the piece is appealing.The whole text reads, "Face it!" and then a subheading in smaller text, "This luxurious garment won't make you rich or famous".The concept of female stereotypes comes to mind, the text goes well with an image of a shiny garment that reflects glamour and fame.I think her ideas that revolve around the female gender are clearly displayed here, because of the similarities that her work share's with female characteristic's in real life, for e.g, the concept of shopping for clothes comes to mind, the concept of fashion, style and famous brands could be relevant. It shows that in both of her works she has a consistent theme that is recognizable and well-read.Her messages in regards to stereotypical thinking towards the female specimen is powerful .

3. Do these images communicate these ideas effectively? Explain your answer.

Yes. It is not only these two pieces that she has communicated these particular ideas and messages, but also her constant use of similar ideas in her other works. The idea of females and stereotypes surrounding them is a key idea amongst the majority of kruger's work. The use of female images in her works and texts that show meaning that is close to a real woman's feelings and characteristics displays her main focus on this concept and its importance to her. She has used her poster's as an extension of her emotions, lashing out on her poster's about what she believes in. The messages are clear for most people to interpret because they are present in most of her other work's.It helps to reinforce the fact that Barbara Kruger is most likely to portray this particular idea in most of her upcoming artwork's.

4. Define the concept of Mercantillism and explain how these two examples can connect with the concept.

Mercantilism is the theory that states that a nation's power is based on its wealth (capital) compared to other nations. This requires the accumulation of valuable commodities, and a balance of trade that favors exports over imports.( Wikianswers.com n.d para 1) or, it was the policy that a nation sought to export more than imported in order to build its supply of gold and silver (answers.com n.d).

The two artworks presented by Barbara Kruger displays content that would be beneficial in the mercantillism concept/theory. Her ideas behind the work, such as female dominance or mistreatment and stereotypical quotations would be quite appealing to a female audience. Because of the period that the mercantillism theory was created, 17th-18th centuries, Europe, Males would've been more dominant in the buisness, therefore if a female was to view artworks similar to the modern Barbara Kruger, it would be like a sin, or rebelious because of the content that kruger offers to support equality in both gender's. Barbara kruger's two artwork's displayed here convey the feminist views, thus her works would be favoured mostly by females. If there were more works like this produced in the Renaissance era, a lot of money could've been made in countries because not only are the powerul and wealthy men investing in Art, females would've felt a comfort to purchase work's that were suited to them.(not just paintings of wealthy men).

5. Upload a more recent example of Kruger's work where she has used a new medium, that is not graphic design. Title your image of the chosen work and comment on your response to the work. How do you think the audience would experience this work?

Chessboard-Barbara Kruger


The Chessboard made by Barbara Kruger in a machine shop, is made out of a 'marble-like' material called corian. Each chess piece has the ability to talk interactively when players make their move.
The fact that this work is very different from her 2-D grapic design style, makes it more interesting to the audience. Another factor that makes this work more interesting and fun is the interactivity that it allows with the audience. A chance to actually touch the work, a "hands-on" experience. With the chess pieces having the ability to speak with every movement is also supportive of the great experience idea. Although the design is 3-D it still displays the Barbara Kruger trait's, some of which include the 'no-fear', powerful, aggressive quote's, but also the colours, Red,Black and white.

I think the audience would admire this work because of the complex engineering that has taken place in order for the whole electronic chessboard to become interactive with the human touch. I also feel that they would find it easy to accept as a Barbara Kruger design because of the similitaries its visual and aesthetic design has with her 2-D works. Its a beautifully constructed artwork, which I know many will love.

REFERENCES:

http://wiki.answers.com/

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