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Research Analysis Idea 1: MURDER
Themes of Murder
Secrets :
Most murders and mysteries involve underlying secrets and reasons for certain events to occur. Examples such as murders in a murder mystery novel involve the murderer’s past to be unknown and painful that leads to them committing the crime. These secrets of reason come to light in clues that are uncovered along the way. Having different sorts of unknown hidden information in the depth creates attentiveness.
In the art industry, the artist may use hidden symbols, double meanings, codes and ciphers or hidden images, in order to portray to the viewer the extent of mystery their piece concludes of.
One artist who was famous for hidden symbols and meaning was Leonardo da Vinc i. His clever and curious persona led him to include his personality in his artwork. Eg: Some people believe that the famous ‘ Mona Lisa ’, painted between 1503 - 1519, consists of many hidden symbols behind her smile and surrounding environment, and have spent a lot of time trying to analyze and figure out what they could be. But what's most interesting of all is that one person could interpret the art one way, and another person may see the same piece completely differently.
Leonardo da Vinci was born on April 15, 1452, in a small town called Vinci, near Florence, Italy. He lived during the Renaissance, a time of great creativity and discovery. He wasn't just an artist; he was also a scientist, inventor, and engineer.
People call him a "polymath," which means he was skilled in many different areas. He started his artistic training in Florence, working as an apprentice for Andrea del Verrocchio.Even as a young apprentice, his incredible talent was obvious. He spent many years working for the Duke of Milan. During this time, he created some of his most famous artworks, like "The Last Supper. He also worked on engineering projects, designing everything from weapons to buildings. He traveled throughout Italy, working for various patrons. He continued his scientific studies, filling notebooks with his observations and drawings. In his later years, he moved to France, where he was supported by King Francis I. Leonardo died on May 2, 1519, in France.
He mastered techniques like "sfumato," which creates a hazy, soft effect in his paintings.He had a deep understanding of perspective, which made his artworks look very realistic. His studies of anatomy, for example, helped him to portray the human body accurately in his art. His intense
observation of nature influenced all of his art. His most famous works, like the "Mona Lisa," as previously mentioned above, are still admired and studied today. He showed us that art and science can go hand-in-hand.
https://Speculations on the Mona Lisa on Wikipedia: Shows the research and analysis others have done that point to different hidden meanings Leonardo da Vinci may have included in his piece.
In reference to murder, some symbols of muder involve; blood, weapons, broken objects, wilting flowers, crows or ravens. The physical things show murder without the presence of it, just the reminisce left behind. Broken objects : Things such as a shattered mirror, a broken vase, or any damaged object can represent the destruction of life and the violence of the act that took place in the scene. Wilting Flowers : Flowers often symbolize life and beauty, so a wilting or dead flower can represent the loss of life and the end of something precious.
Secrets in art can be interpreted in many ways that interests viewers, but also creates a sense of mystery. Sometimes a secret isn't wanted to be shared in murder scenarios to protect the person keeping the secret or other people that may be somewhat involved.
Deception :
Deception is the act of convincing one or many recipients of untrue information. It also can be linked to the irony in a murder scenarios where some people may be aware of information that others are not.
Synonyms of Deception:
Deceit the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
Fraud wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
Hypocrisy the practice of claiming to have higher standards or more noble beliefs than is the case.
Sometimes in art, the first glance of a piece of work is not always what the piece really is about or is composed of, and might take some more looking into to decipher what it really is. An example of deception in artistry was Octavio Ocampo who intended for his double meaning, visual illusion art to do exactly that. His paintings seem to change right before your eyes. If you look at one of his paintings, you might see a beautiful landscape. But if you look closer, you'll start to see that the landscape is also made up of human faces or figures.
Memento Mori means artwork that is designed to remind the viewers of their personal mortality and the shortness and fragility of our human lives that we have here on earth. Murder takes the concept of death very lightly, sometimes too lightly, of how easy someone's life can be taken in an instant. This enforces the viewer to take on a much greater value for the theme of death.
Symbols of Death:
The Hourglass :
Time Running Out. An hourglass measures time by sand flowing from the top to the bottom. Once all the sand is gone, time is up. This is like how life works. We all have a certain amount of time, and eventually, our time runs out. So, the hourglass reminds us that time is passing and that life is temporary. Because the sand always runs out, the hourglass also symbolizes that death is something that happens to everyone. It's inevitable, meaning it can't be avoided.
It becomes a visual representation of how all things come to an end. In older art and stories, you'll often see the Grim Reaper, a figure that represents death, holding an hourglass. This reinforces the connection between the hourglass and the end of life.
Candle Sticks:
The Flickering Flame. A candle's flame is fragile. It can be blown out easily, and it slowly burns down. This can be seen as a metaphor for the fragility of life, how it can be extinguished quickly. The flickering flame can also represent the fleeting nature of life, how it's temporary.
Darkness and Light are also linked to the environment and surroundings. Candles are often used to light dark spaces. When the candle burns out, the darkness returns. This can symbolize the transition from life (light) to death (darkness). In some traditions, candles are lit to remember those who have passed away, creating a symbolic light in the darkness of grief. Candles are often used in funeral ceremonies and vigils. This association makes them a visual reminder of death and remembrance. In old stories, when someone was sick or dying, a candle would be lit, and when the candle went out, that meant the person had passed.
So, it's not the candlestick itself, but the flame and the way it's used that gives it that symbolic connection to death. It's all about how light and darkness play a part in those ideas.
Frida Kahlo is an Mexican artist who has included the theme of death into their artwork. She has experienced a lot of pain and suffering in her life, and this is reflected in her art. She often painted self-portraits that showed her physical and emotional pain, and she included symbols of death and decay. Her art is a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be, and how important it is to appreciate the time we have, linking to Memento memori.
Strength and Resilience is incorporated into Frida's life is a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity. Her art expresses pain, provides a powerful outlet for expressing pain and suffering, which can be relatable to many people. Frida's work celebrates Mexican culture and traditions, making her an important figure in Mexican art history. Frida was a very strong and independent woman, and her art and life has inspired many women. Frida Kahlo's life was full of challenges, but she used her experiences to create powerful and moving art that continues to resonate with people around the world.
Shadow / Silhouette Art: Silhouetted art work provides a sense of mystery the main aspect of the piece is left to remain unknown to the viewer.
It focuses more on the shape and outline of the subject. This can be a powerful and bold statement as it stands against a bright or color filled background.
Because silhouettes lack detail, they can feel timeless. They can evoke a sense of the past, or even a sense of something otherworldly.
