The Kiss
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Rodin 1889 The Kiss [marble] Available at
:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Kiss.JPG
Accessed on 4/12/12 |
The origins of the kiss date back to 1889 in the form of a
marble sculpture by the French sculptor Auguste Rodin. The sculpture represents
two lovers embracing and are about to kiss yet are disrupted. It is said that
the inspiration of Rodin’s work came from Dante’s Inferno as it was originally
titled ‘Francesca da Rimini’ before critics suggested the title as ‘The Kiss’.
Rodin’s sculpture shows passion and intimacy between the
lovers while on the contrary of Brancusi’s version of the kiss which was
developed in 1907 breaks the pattern by using primitive and simpler art.In Rodin’s
work one can see that there are two figures representing the lovers but in
Brancusi’s work the way he carved the stone manipulating the lovers as one and
defying one from the other by a line that separates their faces. The
transformation from one sculpture to another apart from the medium used the way
Brancusi’s work is simpler, two blocks of stones then the designs carved, the
way the embrace is stiff yet showing unity and his use of primitive art. In
Rodin’s work detail is at its best and the flowing graceful look that the
sculpture brings out with intense intimacy. Both sculptures show unity though
both in a different approach.
Brancusi later on created another ‘Kiss’ in 1916 similar to
the one before yet increased its length and decreased its width. Going with the concept used with the first
sculpture by uniting the forms into one.
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Brancusi 1907 The Kiss [plaster] Photo creidts - photographer
David Heald Available at: http://www.nashersculpturecenter
.org/object.aspx?ObjectID=7
Accessed on 4/12/12 |
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Brancusi 1916 The Kiss [limestone]
Available at : http://www.philamuseum.org
/collections/permanent/51306.html
Accessed on 4/12/12 |
Around the same time 1907 the idea of ‘The Kiss’ was then
transformed from sculpture to a painting by Gustav Klimpt who later became
known for his interpretation of ‘The Kiss’. Like the previous interpretations
before the artist is showing his idea of unity, of passion between two lovers.
What I love about this painting is the way he was able to transform the idea
from the sculptures to a painting with vibrant intense colour mirroring the
passion shared between them and yet still creating depth to the painting. Also
the repetition of the designs on the gold shows rhythm. The difference seen
from Brancusi’s work to Klimpt is apart from the medium is that Brancusi worked
simpler more primitive while Klimpt brought the idea of ‘The Kiss’ back to
life. Through their works the audience can get a glimpse of what the artist
thought of love and unity.
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Klimpt 1907-1908 The Kiss [oil on canvas] Available at
: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gustav_Klimt_016.jpg Accessed on 4/12/12 |
Going back to using stone as a meduim in Barcelona's Poblenou Cemetery where a different kind of kiss is portrayed ' The Kiss of Death'.The sculpture is said to have been created by Jaume Barba though some say that the idea was Joan;s Fontbernat and beneath the sculpture the textile manufacturer Josep Llaudet Solder was buried. The Kiss of Death dates back to 1930. The young man on his knees looks lie he was falling when the winged skeleton flew in and held him before he fell to his death and placed a kiss onto his head.
Many question the posture of the figures and why the artist placed them that way, in my opinion in order to justify the positioning of the sculpture one has to consider the following aspects; the skeleton is a former lover of the young man and she has came to help him in his time of need showing that true love withstands anything - even death and this theory could be a possibility of what the artist thinks of love. Alternatively the skeleton kissing the human form could imply that the kiss itself was the cause of the human's death this bring doubts regarding the human's expression if its repulsed by the skeleton's touch or eagerly awaiting.
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| Barba 1930 Kiss of Death [marble] Available at : http://kris-reisz.livejournal.com/126609.html Accessed on 5/12/12 |
" His words to the world, his message from beyond this mortal coil can still be read :
His young heart is thus extinguised. The blood in his veins grow cold. And all strength has gone. Faith has been extolled by his fall into the arms of death. Amen "
The Kiss then turned its way into photography around 1945 when WW2 was ended. The photographer was Alfred Eistenstaedt who captured a sailor grabbing a nurse and plating a kiss due to the happiness that the war was over. The passion and intensity is clearly seen in the sailor's grip on the nurse, it has been debated numerous of if the photo taken was purely spontaneously or if the setting was pre planned.This photo was re printed numerous of times ans still is popular nowadays.
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Eisenstaedt 1945 V-J The Kiss [photography]
Available at :http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Legendary_kiss
_V%E2%80%93J_day_in_Times_Square_Alfred_Eisenstaedt.jpg
Accessed on : 5/12/12 |
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Lichtenstein 1962 Kiss II Available at : http://roylichtenstein.tumblr.com/
Accessed on 5/12/12 |
As more art periods came to pass 'The Kiss still lived on as it is seen again in Pop Art 1962. Roy Lichentenstein displays two lovers draped around each other embracing one another with a kiss. Behind the two figures Lichtenstein created zizgag lines emphasizing their unity and creating a dramatic effect.
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Picasso 1969 The Kiss [Oil con canvas] Available at :
http://www.pablo-ruiz-picasso.net/work-251.php
Accessed on 5/12/12 |
In the next example of ' the Kiss' took a vast transformation from the previous versions. The Kiss was painted in 1969 by the modern artist Pablo Picasso. The transformation seen in Picasso's work is his use of unrealistic figures, colours and exaggerated line, but the concept is still there. The noses of the figures that are mashed together make it seem as if they share the same mouth showing unity again.
Referencing Link :
Unkown 2012 The Kiss Available at : http://totallyhistory.com/the-kiss/ Accessed on 5/12/12
Unkown Posted on 7 June 2011 Roy Lichtenstein Available at : http://roylichtenstein.tumblr.com/ Accessed on 5/12/12
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