Analysis Essay Sample on Mesopotamian Artworks: Saad Yagan

Introduction

The perspective that Syria, Mesopotamia in particular, is characterized by war and invasions and as a result influenced the style of art in the region is unbiased and credible. Many artists, as well as the techniques they are using in presenting/creating different art forms, are reflective of the state of warfare in the region. Saad Yagan is an artist that has managed to excel in contemporary painting. Born in Aleppo in 1950, he is widely renowned in the nation and across the globe have played a critical role in the development of contemporary Syrian art (She et al., p.113114). The style that he employs is predominantly modern-expression painting. A specific artwork that is used to assess his style of creation is "Chaos," prepared in 2003. Some of the features of the art include acrylic on canvas with measurements of 7 9/10 9 4/5 in 20 25 cm. The culture for the painting is for the modern world, although it is based on the experiences and history of the century-old city of Aleppo (Takieddine, p.57). Thus, the concept communicated by the artwork identifies with the morose cafe culture. As is depicted by the name used to refer to the film, its original message relates to chaos and unrest as the people represented are trying to bring about a form of stability and order.

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Style

The size of the painting is 7 9/10 9 4/5 in 20 25 cm. Acrylic on canvas is used as the materials for its preparations. By using the canvas, Saad Yagan has the chance to spread the paint well so that the elongated faces appear correctly. In addition to this, the formal elements that are used are different sets of lines to create a series of round shapes that depict those of human beings. A variety of colors are used as well in this abstract painting. These colors are evenly spread into the many forms of the elongated faces, which make up the painting. Classification of this artwork as abstract painting is on the basis that real objects (the faces and shapes of human beings) have been standardized through elongation (Takieddine, p.59). The subject of chaos is being depicted through the use of multiple colors, including red, blue, and white. Application of these colors is chaotic signifying disorder (Melnik et al., p. 023106). The distorted shapes, in addition to this, also serve to offer evidence of the disarray. Pandemonium being the main message, the irregular shapes of human faces and bodies as well as the disorganized use of colors serves to cement this message.

Functions/Symbolism

Symbolism, in the case of this given artwork, was used as a tool that allowed Saad Yagan to communicate the message and theme of chaos. For instance, the name that is given to the painting is symbolic of the assertion held by the creator. As much as the faces that are represented are elongated and distorted, they have different expressions. Thus, the message that is communicated by this aspect is that there are different sets of emotions with the state of affairs in Aleppo. For instance, confusion is quite common hence the disbelief by the distorted faces inside what appears to be a tombstone. There is also a form of concern and disbelief by other faces at the events unfolding as well as the state of affairs. A form of elegance is also portrayed in that the shapes are free-flowing, and they are created from the circular curved lines (Melnik et al., p. 023106). While aestheticized elegance is reflected, the straight lines are not well presented as there is a lot of discontinuity. Through his works, particularly "Chaos," Saad Yagan seeks to show that amidst the disorganization and commotion that is Aleppo, the city still manages to shine its elegance and beauty.

Cultural Context

At the time of the preparation of the artwork, Aleppo was undergoing a series of changes hence its classification as an Islamic Capital of Culture. Therefore, it explains why the painter decides to take the particular approach taken, which aligns to the morose cafe culture. In other terms, the morose cafe culture is aligned to the Muslim religion complementing one another. While there was no religious message that is captured by the artwork, the advocacy for social change and order is shared with the Muslim culture in the city of Aleppo. On the same note, historical events also play a role in influencing the overall aesthetics taste (Takieddine, p.61). For example, there is the issue of liberation that was common during the time of the preparation of the painting; liberation of the modern Muslim, as well as the incorporation of religion into social life, was an issue that was under the scope of the public. Thus, artists such as Saad Yagan were looking to ensure that they advocate for inclusion and increased public awareness. Most importantly, historical events relate to the image as the chaos under scrutiny came about due to chaos. The perpetual warfare and political instability, for instance, can be blamed for the mayhem.

Works Cited

Melnik, Sergey, et al. "Dynamics on modular networks with heterogeneous correlations." Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science 24.2 (2014): 023106. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4869983

Shu, Panpan, et al. "Social contagions on interconnected networks of heterogeneous populations." Chaos: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Nonlinear Science 28.11 (2018): 113114. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5042677

Takieddine, Zena. "Arab Art in a Changing world." Contemporary Practices 8 (2011): 54-61. Available at http://www.contemporarypractices.net/essays/volumeVIII/arabartinachangingworld.pdf