The Collage Art of Photomontage

Photomontage is a type of collage art. It  is composed primarily of photographs or fragments of photographs in order to direct the viewers mind toward specific connections. The pieces are often constructed to convey a message, whether that be a commentary on political, social, or other issues. When done correctly, they can have a dramatic impact. There are many ways that a photomontage can be constructed. Quite often, photographs, newspaper and magazine clippings, and other papers are glued onto a surface, giving the work a real collage feel. Other artists may combine photos in the darkroom or camera and in modern photographic art, its very common for the images to be created digitally. Defining Photomontages Through Time Today we tend to think of photomontage as a cut and paste technique for creating art. It got a start in the first days of photography as art photographers played with what they called combination printing.   Oscar Rejlander was one of those artists and his piece The Two Ways of Life (1857) is one of the best-known examples of this work. He photographed each model and background and combined over thirty negatives in the darkroom to create a very large and detailed print. It would have taken great coordination to pull this scene off in a single image. Other photographers played with photomontage as photography took off. At times, we saw postcards overlaying people in far off lands or images with one head on another persons body. There were even some mythical creatures created using various techniques. Some of the photomontage work is obviously collaged. Elements retained the look that they were cut out of newspapers, postcards, and prints, which many were. This style is a very physical technique. Other photomontage work, such as Rejlanders, is not blatantly collaged. Instead, the elements are blended together to create a cohesive image that tricks the eye. A well-executed image in this style makes one wonder whether it is a montage or a straight photograph, leaving many viewers to question how the artist did it. Dada Artists and Photomontage Among the best example of truly collaged photomontage work is that of the  Dada movement. These anti-art agitators were known to rebel against all known conventions in the art world. Many of the Dada artists based in Berlin experimented with photomontage around the 1920s. Hannah Hà ¶chs Cut with a Kitchen Knife through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch of Germany is a perfect example of Dada-style photomontage. It shows us a mixture of modernism (lots of machinery and high-tech stuff of the period) and the New Woman through images taken from the Berliner Illustrierte Zeitung, a well-circulated newspaper at that time. We see the word Dada repeated many times, including one just above a photograph of Albert Einstein on the left side. In the center, we see a pirouetting  ballet dancer who has lost her head, while someone elses head levitates just above her lifted arms. This floating head is a photograph of the German artist Kà ¤the Kollwitz (1867–1945), the first woman professor appointed to the Berlin Art Academy. The work of the Dada photomontage artists was decidedly political. Their themes tended to center around protest of World War I. Much of the imagery was sourced from mass media and cut into abstract shapes. Other artists in this movement include Germans Raoul Hausmann and John Heartfield and the Russian Alexander Rodchenko. More Artists Adopt Photomontage Photomontage did not stop with the Dadaists. Surrealists like Man Ray and Salvador Dali picked it up as did countless other artists in the years since its debut. While a few modern artists continue to work with the physical materials and cut and paste together compositions, it is increasingly more common for the work to be done on the computer. With image editing programs like Adobe Photoshop and immeasurable sources for imagery available, artists are no longer limited to printed photographs. Many of these modern photomontage pieces boggle the mind, stretching into fantasy in which artists create dreamlike worlds. Commentary remains the intent for many of these pieces, though some are simply exploring the artists construct of imaginary worlds or surreal scenes.

I once believed that poverty was a state of mind that...

I once believed that poverty was a state of mind that resulted in a variety of physical and mental manifestations. While this may be true in some cases, the simple truth is that many people around the world are born in poverty with virtually no exposure to any other way of life. Others may find themselves in its clutches due to personal choices or from circumstances beyond individual control. The same as any other social issue, it is important to understand the cause of poverty; however the complexity of the problem is such that society is bogged down in assumptions and attitudes that have permeated the minds of community members as a whole. Likewise, there appears not to be a clearly defined agreement concerning what poverty actually†¦show more content†¦Life can change in an instant regardless of background, status, or income. In trying to identify what poverty means to me, I realized that I don’t know. I have spent days trying to form a coherent definition of poverty. I have reached deep into my personal experiences and knowledge, and I am still left with only a surface understanding. Thinking of poverty leaves me paralyzed and depressed. The pain of a hungry, sick, or scared child is intolerable, yet I know that it is a reality around the world. Regrettably, like many Americans, at times, I must push the knowledge aside to endure. Sometimes, I just can’t drive down that road; literally and figuratively. So, for self-preservation purposes at this point in time, I can only share what poverty looks like from my perspective. Poverty is hunger that exists when a person has absolutely no idea when or how he or she will acquire the next meal. Poverty is lack of shelter or the knowledge that shelter is short term. Poverty is being cold and not knowing when one will feel warmth again. Poverty is not having access to a shower or clean clothes. Poverty is looking around and knowing that one’s surroundings are a disaster, but not being capable of pulling together enough energy or care to make improvements. Poverty is being sick or injured with no access to healthcare or medication. Poverty is overwhelming debt. Poverty is being a parent and knowing that your children are not getting their needs met, butShow MoreRelatedThe Elizabeth Poor Law824 Words   |  4 PagesElizabeth Poor Laws: Why were they so important in the development of social welfare in North America?: The Elizabeth Poor Law advocated and placed responsibility of the poor to the churches and government. If parishes could not meet the responsibilities, counties were required to assume relief-giving functions. The government became the chief enforcer of poor relief. However, the local parishes fulfilled their welfare responsibilities in several ways. 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Bullying and Brave Person Look free essay sample

Bullying is the act of intentionally harming someone physically, verbally, or psychologically. Bullying is often repeated over time and involves an imbalance of power. Acts of bullying include hitting, pushing, or other unwelcome touching; teasing and name-calling; repeated exclusion of an individual from games and activities; sending threatening or mean-spirited messages (such as texts, chats, voicemails, or e-mails); or spreading of hurtful rumors. Bullying and cyberbullying, or ullying that occurs online, are sensitive issues for many childr, educators, and families. Bullying is a big problem that affects lots of kids. Being bullied can make kids feel really bad. The stress of dealing with bullies can make kids feel sick. Dont give the bully a chance. As much as you can, avoid the bully. You cant go into hiding or skip class, of course. But if you can take a different route and avoid him or her, do so. Ignore the bully. We will write a custom essay sample on Bullying and Brave Person Look or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If you can, try your best to ignore the bullys threats. Pretend you dont hear them and walk away quickly to a place of safety. Bullies want a big reaction to their teasing and meanness. Acting as if you dont notice and dont care is like giving no reaction at all, and this Just might stop a bullys behavior. Stand tall and be brave. When youre scared of another person, youre probably not feeling your bravest. But sometimes Just acting brave Is enough to stop a bully. How does a brave person look and act? Stand tall and youll send the message: Dont mess with me. Its easier to feel brave when you feel good about yourself. Feel good about you. Nobodys perfect, but what can you do to look and feel your best? Maybe youd like to be more fit. If so, maybe youll decide to get more exercise, watch less TV, and eat healthier snacks. Or maybe you feel you look best when you shower In the morning before school. If so, you could decide to get up a little earlier so you can be clean and refreshed for the school day.