some questions

I really wish the textbook would go into more detail about how archeologists and art historians come to their conclusions about the meanings of certain symbols or rituals they discover. In particular, the interpretation of the scrolls on the genital region of the reliefs struck me as odd. I want to know what other information led to their conclusions and how our modern interpretation of symbols from our popular or global culture influence what we support as truth in cultures we can never fully understand. How much of their cultural picture is missing from their artistic expression? How truthfully can our own culture be represented from the objects we create? How much of this do we take into account when studying the past?

Kahlo Exhibit

I enjoyed my experience at the Frida Kahlo exhibit. I am terrified to drive in San Francisco so I made my parents come along and we made a day of it. It was nice to be able to share with them the things I am interested. I don't get to see them very much with our busy schedules. It was also stressful spending the day with them though, especially when they opted to check out the gift shop instead of the rest of the museum which I happen to think is extremely intriguing. At least they were very interested in the exhibit and we had some great conversation on the ride home discussing our interpretations. 

Two of my favorite paintings:

The Broken Column

This is my favorite painting of Kahlo's. Every detail, from the muted colors, the desolate background, Frida's absent stare, the crumbling column replacing her spine, the confining brace around her ribs, and the nails stuck throughout her body all portray her feeling of helplessness and frustration at her injured body.

The Suicide of Dorothy Hale

I think this painting has such a unique look on death. The way Kahlo paints the sky and the body almost floating toward the ground makes me think she was fascinated with the thought of death. It is almost elegant. I also love the way the story spills out onto the frame.

These are two paintings that I think really show the influence of Mesoamerican art on Kahlo's style.

My Nurse and I

The nurse wears a Teotihuacan stone mask and can be interpreted to be sacrificing Frida. Not only the art symbols, but also the mood of her paintings show Kahlo's complicated relationship with her homeland.

The Love Embrace of the Universe, The Earth (Mexico), Diego, Me and Senor Xolotl

You can see the artist's connection to Mexico even just in the title; Mexico to her is synonymous to the earth. This strong bond is a culturally instilled belief. One that Frida frequently expresses through her art work.