Artist Statement
My work in "Explosion" seeks to reimagine the symbolism of clouds within warfare, exploring the juxtaposition between their historical and cultural significance and their association with the destructive power of nuclear explosions. Using screen printing and acrylic paint on black paper, I aim to evoke the gravity of wartime propaganda, drawing inspiration from scenic designs prevalent in Federal Art Project posters, particularly those by Alexander Dux and Martin Weitzman. These influences guide my composition framing to convey a sense of awe and tension. This work encapsulates my exploration of the duality of clouds as symbols of both wonder and devastation, echoing the tension between natural beauty and the horrors of war. Through "Explosion" and similar explorations, I continue to delve into the complexities of visual communication in times of conflict, inviting viewers to contemplate the nuanced interplay between historical symbolism and modern propaganda.
Influences
Cliff Chiang
Parody Poster (unknown artist)
Alexander Dux
Dash Dixon
Martin Weitzman
Reginald Malcolmson
Drafts
First Draft
Second Draft
Final Draft
Design and Ethical Considerations
In Explosion, I wanted to re-contextualize the significance of clouds as a cultural symbol. One of the most prominent motifs relating to war relates to nuclear mushroom clouds as a result of the use of explosive weapons. I wanted to depict a great happening within my poster. Using the cultural significance of clouds as a depiction of entrancement with a supernatural event, I wanted to parallel that with the grand scale of a mushroom cloud. According to an article written by Jacqueline Basker, "A cloud pillar led the Israelites out of Egypt and across the desert to the Promised Land; for the Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Greeks, the cloud represented creation, fertility, divine power, and protection. In China and India, images of the Divine were accompanied by clouds... The image of the cloud since ancient times has held profound meaning for the human psyche" (p. 111-112). Knowing the positive connotation of the symbol, I wanted to juxtapose that with the negative connotation associated with war. I still wanted to find a way to have the symbol capture attention with the same intensity. The same tension is captured well in many of the promotional materials that came out of the Federal Art Project. The scenic designs harnessed in the posters by Alexander Dux and Martin Weitzman (both listed as influences) inspired the direction of this poster in terms of framing.
AI Use: I used Adobe Firefly to render the couple looking into the distance in the lake/mountain setting. I added more textures to the lake in the picture to add texture and divert more attention to the mushroom cloud.
Final Print
References
Basker, J. T. (2006). THE CLOUD AS SYMBOL: Destruction or Dialogue. CrossCurrents, 56(1), 110–115. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24461099