Inspired By Beyonce
Music can preserve a culture in a similar way as a physical piece of art. The works in DOMA span a wide period of time. Each piece says something about the artist and the time he created the art. When paired with music from Beyonce, one of our culture’s most popular artists, the art may take on a different feel.
Seeping Light II
Artist: Stanczak
Listen to: Beautiful Liar
This bright, almost neon, piece nearly looks out of place on the plain white wall. Combined with this upbeat song, it almost seems to belong in the walls of a club. Making the viewer want to dance.
Madonna and Child
Artist: School of Lorenzo di Credi
Listen to: Halo
Besides the obvious connection of the word halo with the halo pictured in this piece. The chorus also matches the ideas portrayed in this portrait. “You’re everything I need and more” can apply to the mother-son relationship and the relationship between a Savior and his followers.
Shiva and Parvati
Listen to: Naughty Girl
This piece originates from India. Naughty Girl seems to have an exotic feel to it. Not only that, but Parvati seems to be in a rather sensual position. Her hips and breasts are accentuated and her body seems to be dancing. Naughty Girl emphasizes the sensual.
Head of a Woman
Listen to: Run the World (Girls)
The song Run the World emphasizes feminine power. This bust portrays a woman who looks like she knows how to get what she wants. She looks stern and stately. Run the World could be her personal theme song.
Crest of the Wave
Artist: Harriet Whitney Frishmuth
Listen to: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
“All the single ladies
Now put your hands up”
Single Ladies is very upbeat, encourages the listener to dance, and emphasizes female freedom. The woman in Crest of the Wave seems to be emotion. She has a smile on her face and seems to be on top of the world. Beyonce approves.
Beaters, Burglars and Burners
Artist: Roger Brown
Listen to: Ring the Alarm
This connection is quite literal. The building is on fire and an alarm is ringing.
Adam and Eve
Artist: Antonio Molinari
Listen to: Sweet Dreams
“You can be a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare”
The way that Adam and Eve’s body crosses each other is almost sensual. In this way, they would be each other’s sweet dream. However, they are reaching to their ultimate downfalls. These downfalls make their life a nightmare.
Sultana On An Ottoman
Artist: Fragonard
Listen to: Telephone
Although this portrait is probably just a picture of a sweet smiled upper middle class girl, when it is paired with this song, it has a completely new feel. Her sweet smile turns a bit sassy. She is sick and tired of her phone, so she is holding a letter and pretending she is busy.
Arm Chair Rocker
Artist: Eames
Listen to: Bootylicious
This curvy chair has probably seen a lot of booties.
Question: Can this chair handle YOUR booty? (Please don’t sit, just imagine!) What about the other chairs near by?
Invocation Variation #3
Artist: Roszak
Listen to: Welcome to Hollywood
“Tonight you’ll be a superstar”
Invocation Variation #3 is a little strange. It’s big, shiny, and eccentric. Hollywood is very similar. Just as one might be confused by this piece, one might be confused when they enter the big and crazy city of Hollywood.
Question: What song would you pair this piece with?
Right Bird Left
Artist: Krasner
Listen to: Party
Right Bird Left is a very interesting piece. It’s bright, yet somehow calming. It seems fun, yet classy. This song has a similar feel. Party is somewhat upbeat and jazzy.
Question: How does this piece make you feel?
Portrait of a Lady
Artist: Domenico
Listen to: Say My Name
This lady looks sad and contemplative. This song puts a reason behind her thoughts – she is in love with a man.
Challenge: Create a story for this lady. Who is she? What is her name? Where does she live? What does she think about?
The Bird-Song Organ
Artist: Chardin
Listen to: Scared of Lonely
“I’m trying to beat this emptiness, but I’m running out of time.”
This portrait is of an older woman who has filled her home with random objects. Did she fill her home with objects because she has no one in her life and needs to fill the void? Is she scared of lonely?
Death of Abel
Artist: Balastra
Listen to: I Miss You
Heartbreak is painful. Beyonce portrays this in her deep and tender song. Abel, who is keeled over in pain, is in a position similar to that of a teenager who has just experienced his first broken heart.
Reflection
Artist: Child Hassam
Listen to: If I Were A Boy
The woman on this portrait is looking outside wistfully, though as a viewer we do not know what she is thinking about. During the time period in which she was painted women lacked the freedom that they have currently. This woman might be thinking What if I were a boy? How would my life be different? Would I have more power and more freedom than I have now?
Question: What do you think she is thinking about?
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