Design Principles - TASK 2 : VISUAL ANALYSIS AND IDEATION

17/2/25 - 3/3/25 (Week 3 - Week 5)

Sultan Rey Delviero / 0377830

Design Principles GDC60804 / Bachelor of Fashion Design Technology (Hons.) / Taylor's University

Task 2 : Visual Analysis and Ideation

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JUMPLINKS

1 : INSTRUCTIONS

2 : TASK

3 : FEEDBACK

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INSTRUCTIONS

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TASK

 

Artwork Name :

The Love Embrace of the Universe, the Earth (Mexico), Myself, Diego and Señor Xólotl

Artist : Frida Kahlo

Date : 1949

Size : 70cm x 60cm

Media : Oil on Canvas

Source : https://www.wikiart.org/en/frida-kahlo/the-love-embrace-of-the-universe-the-earth-mexico-myself-diego-and-se%C3%B1or-x%C3%B3lotl-1949

Visual Analysis :

- Phase 1 : Observation
This oil on canvas artwork is created in potrait format on 1949 by Frida Kahlo. The artwork depicts the cycle of nurture in the universe. In this artwork, the universe is divided into two themes, which is light and dark, accompanied by the planets on the side. The mother earth is potrayed along with the plants and is lactating while holding Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. The colors in this artwork mainly uses green, brown, cream, and red. This combination gives it a rustic and vintage appeal in the primitivism style. 

91 Words

- Phase 2 : Analysis

This artwork utilizes the symmetrical balance of the background while emphasizing the center image of the subjects nurturing each other, mainly Frida Kahlo who is potrayed in a red dress which contrasts with the greenery surrounding her, which is a repeated design element that creates harmony of the painting's environment. The similar-looking plants are also placed in the same proximity, that constructs the sense of unity in the painting. 

69 Words

-  Phase 3 : Interpretation

This painting focuses on telling the message of Frida Kahlo's love for his husband, as she depicts herself as a maternal figure to her lover, which is what she always desired for; to hold her husband in her arms like a newborn baby. This painting also potrays Frida Kahlo's struggle with her infertility and tragic miscarriages, which is why she wishes to be a mother figure for someone. This painting also carries her appreciation for the world and universe, picturing the Earth Goddess lactating and providing her resources, and her dog, Señor Xólotl, which she illustrated as the one guarding them all. She composed this painting as she wants to communicate how all the subjects and entities in this painting complements each other, and simply cannot exist without each other. This painting describes how she managed to live with her struggle and how she adapts to value it. 

148 Words

Total 308 Words

- Reference

Angela Muller, Frida Kahlo: Trauma, Abjection, and Affect. (2017)
https://scalar.usc.edu/works/a-critical-analysis-of-trauma-and-abjection-as-foundations-for-understanding-affect-in-selected-works-by-frida-kahlo/index

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Sketch 1 :

I added a draped fabric around the Mother Earth's figure to cover her body, so that the painting will have less mature elements in it, making it more tolerable towards younger audiences. I made it in the color red, so that it will have a nice contrast to the background, and adding harmony with Frida Kahlo's dress as well.

Sketch 2 :

I added more clouds that is extended from the background to cover the vulgar elements in the painting. It still keeps the balance of the background as well, because the colour will still match with the surroundings of the painting.

Sketch 3 :

I added more vine plants on the light side of the painting and darkened the shade of the plants on the dark side to give the painting more balance and harmony according to the background and duality of the painting.

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FEEDBACK

Week 3 :

Mr. Fauzi talked about how the original painting that I chose contains some vulgar elements in it. He advised me that I should try to make it more acceptable for all ages to view by covering those objects with something that can still go well together with the painting.

Week 4 :

Mr. Fauzi approved of the 2nd idea sketch, as it still covers the vulgar element using something that is already on the painting. He also said that the painting contains a lot of abnormalty, I was advised to make the painting more understandable with the addition of texts and arrangements.