Sunday 9 February 2014

Ana Mendieta

Ana Mendieta is a well known artist, who sadly died from a young age falling from the 34th floor window in New York. Mendieta is known best for her Earth work body sculptures, which she imprints into nature creating a sense of the life cycle, creating contemplation as the surrounding is fresh and pure. 
Earlier this year, Mendietas work was exhibited in Hayward Gallery presenting "Traces" which I had the opportunity to visualize in person.
"Untitled" Siluetas Series,
Ana Mendieta
Mexico
1976

Mendieta uses natural and organic subjects to create her earth body installations, which have the ability to grow, therefore this could reflect the natural development of the fetus, which I would like to experiment further. The figure looks almost protected by the natural delicate surroundings, creating a calm and beautiful atmosphere. 

Alma Silueta en Fuego (Silueta de Cenizas)
Ana Mendieta
Film, running time 3 minutes, 30 seconds
1975

"Perhaps my images can lead the audience to speculation based on their own experiences or what they might feel that I have experienced. Their minds can then be triggered so that the images I present retain some of the  quality of the actual experience" 
Ana Mendieta
Mendieta wanted to capture an essence of sounds, scent, weather conditions to present the viewer contemplation, engaging the audience reflecting Mendietas feelings of experiences or make them look back on their own experiences creating a nostalgia. Fire is symbolic of something new reflecting upon the past, and moving forward which I find interesting, perhaps this could symbolize compacted emotion buried within, and the creation of the unborn. I could experiment with burning as it is suggestive to purity. 


"Tree of Life" Siluetas Series,
Ana Mendieta
Mexico
1976

Within this piece Mendieta is disguised camouflaging within the natural habitat, suggestive to protection, as she can almost be mistaken as the tree creating a sense of reassurance. The figure feels on edge creating an uneasy atmosphere, emphasizing their awareness. Mendieta often uses the symbol of a tree within her series of work, as she believes it symbolizes wisdom and knowledge with almost every culture and religion, therefore she felt the tree was a sense of protection. I may explore this idea further to get a better understanding of the Tree of Life, as I would like to work with a natural habitat to capture a peaceful atmosphere and organic surroundings highlighting a sense of spiritual energy and protection. 



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