Form, Content, Process and Mood - 05.10.23
For this lecture, we needed to try and increase our understanding of the art forms that are shown to us and to do this, we needed to look at 4 subheadings which are;
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Form
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Content
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Process
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Mood
The presentation also went through some thought-provoking works of art and thus would be nice to look at when considering things to think about.
Definitions of Form, Content, Process and Mood
Form – This is talking about what type of media was used and how the media was used
This could also be described by what is in the photo or if there is any recurring theme used within the art piece
Content – This is what is within the art piece. This could also be looked at deeply to see if there is anything within the art piece that can be described more.
Process – this is the process of making this art piece. For example, how would a traditional painting be made and how about the techniques used for the art piece?
Mood – This is to say what is the general mood of the piece and what feelings could you get from this piece. This could also talk about the different moods and feelings that the artist felt when they were creating this piece of art.
First Photograph - Art Installation
The photo below shows the type of art that me and a classmate had to talk about with regards to the form, content, process and mood.
Form – The form of the art piece is a literal bed and how this was used for an art installation. So, this can be described as in a 3D space. The tone of the bed gives off a messy, unclean and unkept condition for the bed. There are also vodka bottles everywhere and does give off a vibe that she is going through some stuff. It is also very detailed to the viewer; you can see that this is a literal definition of a messy room.
Context – This gives off such a depressed and moody vibe due to having it look so messy and also having vodka bottles everywhere. There is a toy dog there that could also signify the innocence that this person once had. There are also used condoms, which could signify a sexual relationship with someone and that she could either still be in that relationship or that she is using sex to move on from her previous relationship. Vodak bottles imply that she is definitely having a rough time and could also use it just to get to sleep at night. Used tissues could either be something used for when cleaning up after the sexual act or to use for tears. A messy bed could also imply that she cannot be bothered to clean up the bed and would rather just use it as a place where she just sleeps at night. Not caring for your bed and around it could signify a mental health issue that this person’s bed shows. There is also used underwear on the floor as well which could show that the person would just sleep naked in bed or have someone around to fulfil their sexual needs. There also looks like an open packet of cigarettes which could signify that the person wants to slowly kill or has an addiction to smoking.
Process – the process of this is an installation, so this means that either a bed was made for the installation or that a bed was bought into the installation and assembled there. A piece of carpet might have also been taken from a local carpet store and used for the installation. For hygienic reasons, I think that new tissues were used instead of old, used tissues. I also think that the person creating this installation also had a few old items used instead of buying new ones. Old bottles of Orangina and Absolut vodka were probably used but cleaned of course.
Everything else could either have been personal belongings or bought for the installation. It might have been personal belongings as this would have a much bigger significance on the installation compared to buying things new, as this would give a more personal touch to the installation.
Mood – the mood for this is depressing and sad because it shows someone that has something wrong with them and seeing a messy room also shows that they can’t take care of themselves and the room that they are in
I feel like this is from the point of view of the artist and that they are portraying their own lives in the installation. I also think that this is a type of self-sabotage and that the person is there to just try and get by in life
The whole mood of the installation just gives off this negativity about it, in which the more I look at the installation, the more that I do not want to be in the situation that they are in.
But I can also relate to the whole experience due to being in the same situation as they are in as well, not being bothered about making my bed, having a messy room due to not being able to clean due to being busy all the time and it is relatable.
Other groups did the same, but for different types of media, but seeing that this is the one that we’ve got given, I would have liked to talk about this one more as I feel like I can relate to this.
Second Photograph - Art Installation
There was one other photo that we needed to do describe, but we had to do this as a whole class, instead of doing it in pairs. The photo below shows what we needed to describe using form, content, process and mood;
Form – This is a typical stencil cut-out that the famous Banksy uses and now a lot of others are using stencils as well. It has been presumed to be spray painted onto a wall with corrugated steel and a piece of wood to make it look like they are sailing on a boat. This is very typical of Banksy as he always uses his environment to create pieces of street art. The form is also street art as these types of art can be found on the streets.
Content – the art shows different ethnic kids trying to sail on what seems to be a makeshift vessel in which (by the way the child is getting rid of water) is sinking. The child at the front is hopeful, as he is trying to find a way for everyone to survive, always looking at the horizon through a telescope. The middle child is also looking at the person at the back and wondering if he should help the person who is bailing the boat. I feel like the person wants to help the kid bailing, but also wants to try and find something in the distance with the “captain” of the boat. The kids at the front of the boat also show that they have makeshift boat hats that kids make and play with when the weather is rainy. Kids are depicted because the art will hit differently when adults are used. The message of immigrants trying to flee somewhere will not be as strong as when Banksy depicts immigrants as adults
I also feel like when this is shown, everyone is still a kid to whoever it may be and that saying that we’re all on the same boat shows that even our kids (or future kids) will be in the same boat as well. The corrugated steel and wood might also show that the boat that they have made was made by them and that they are trying to survive on something that they have built and might not last as it is clear they do not have the means to create a more sturdy raft.
Process – The process uses spray paint, the use of stencils and use of the environment. Most street art is not permanent (unfortunately) and this might have been destroyed after being found by a lot of people. It is layered on top of the lettering behind saying “We’re all in the same boat” and only uses two colours, which are black and white. This might also depict the means of seeing things in black or white, (either this or that) there is no in-between.
Mood – It has a lingering sense of hopefulness, but it also seems hopeless as well, as the boat that the kids are in can sink at any time if the bailer does not do his job properly. Saying that we are all in the same boat also implies that the feeling that the piece gives off will also be something that we will experience all together.