artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Composites can be a problem. Some here, like magnetoman and others whose names slip my mind right now, solve the problem of assembling different objects/shapes by crafting a very strong story/subject.

Another way, the one I hope to use successfully, is to build a strong visual presence, having unity with variety in shape and color, coupled with a strong composition--these things holding viewers until they can piece together a story/narrative/or idea. I definitely have an idea as I work, but I wonder if it is too personal, too hard for individuals to make their own narrative.

Please, comment about anything in "Notre Dame Fire—Legacy Sequence," and feel free to change something if that makes your idea clearer.

(Download)

CPR Loc: Nature Coast of Florida

Sorry, does not work for me. Just too complex. Perhaps a "younger" mind will feel differently?

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Your mind is fine. It is complex. Thanks.

JoeJoe

Where did you steal all these images from sideshow bob.... It seems you don't want to answer that do you... ;-)

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Bob I find it to be more of a collage than a composite. So for me it does not work.

Tazzy Loc: Tampa area

Doesn’t work for me, to busy

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Thanks for the replies, although I'm sad that I seem to have failed.

And, no one has "caught" my theme. Not the results I'd hoped for, but truth really does makes us free.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Is there a theme other than, "Notre Dame Fire—Legacy Sequence?"

Stephan G

To me, it is a difracted image of the burning of the cathedral of Paris, Notre Dame.

Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Not hard at all...

The obvious topical theme of this collage ( not “composited”) image - it not providing the slightest evidence of the compositor’s skills having been employed in its construction - is, clearly, by weight of evidence of the individual components, the destructive fire of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris.

And, given your hope to be made “free” by the truth, it should be just as obviously recognized, that the predominant narrative of the offered gemisch is that you freely utilized predominantly .... perhaps entirely...images made by others solely and simply to emphasize that you can.
The corollary of which is that, relying on your own body of putatively creative works, you cannot.

And thus, to the obvious intents disclosed above...
.....Yes! It works!

I would definitely “jury it” into a fine art show. It always helps to have an obvious low end to stand as a base of appreciation of, and point-of-comparison with the high end!

Explicit

srt101fan

Bob, I find your composite intriguing and well worth looking at and looking into. I get the Notre Dame fire theme but the “Legacy Sequence” in your title eludes me. That may very well be due to my own perceptual limitations, but it could also be that some of the visual elements that you have arranged to form your composite just aren’t clear enough. Without that clarity and recognition of the components it is hard to say if the content holds them together.

Reminds of the problem of appreciating works of art that are full of symbolism. If you’re not familiar with the symbols and their meaning in a historical context you might miss the artist’s intent. Sometimes a guide is necessary….

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

To all the above, to expose the clear haters and to clarify the theme.

It seems the work fails, whether with non-haptic and/or people hostile to me and spinning or with open-minded and knowledgable viewers.

Thanks to all (even the apparent personal haters). Knowing where I've failed is important. The artistic saying "I just do it for myself" in often misunderstood, and as a standard of art is BS and goes against basic human nature and the history of art.

Now, perhaps those willing can point why my theme failed, as I state it: The legacy of Western Culture is an overview of the burning of one of its symbols. It can be seen as one moves, or jumps around and considers, the classical Greek face from the era that is the kernel of our culture, through other destructions (the columns), to a high expression of it in the Renaissance (Michelangelo's "David") to the seemingly re-ignited understanding of our cultural strength (the glowing, restored Rose Window of the cathedral and final movement off to the upper right, a lightful, glowing hope). The picture also contains the moment in time of the cathedral's fire and falling). [A strange sidelight, the firefighters are from a shot I took across the street from my apartment in Chicago years ago. Also, the hints I give, (or thought I gave) of the clock face )time passing) and the reaching hand (searching for meaning) are photos of parts of other artworks of mine.]

Feel free to riff on this. I would like to know why I didn't convey my point.

Stephan G

Let me pull out my squeezebox....

If there is a problem, I would say it was the starting point, the path, and the finish. When I view an artwork, I usually end up asking these questions. You knew the path you were setting. And the other two elements. However, your viewers will always have differing views. You have to have paths set up in some linear fashion. Sometimes it has to be obvious. (I am thinking Peter Blume's "The Rock".)

I will have to admit my feelings were deep because the Cathedral of Strasbourg, also Notre Dame, is ingrained in my childhood memories. I felt the deep loss when the fire occurred in Paris. Add to this having family living close in Paris. I did notice the historic references in your photo, but I could not determine the path.

The clock face did not speak of time passing. To me, it was of time stopping, breaking down. The fire was overnight.

As to collage vs composite, the images are identifiable as individual photographs in the collage. In the composite, it is not usually so clear. Both can have paths.

I do like the attempt. I appreciate what goes into it. Your explanation has me going back later this week to take another look.

Just remember what the great bard advised. "Ignore the groundlings. But make them pay their Pence!"

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Thank you for the rich response--and the advice from our friend, Shakespeare.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

I already gave you my assessment here yesterday.

What boggles the mind is that you, who claim to be a teacher and authority on art, would need us mere mortals to explain to you why you failed.

You should have been able to judge it objectively and realize that it wasn't worth posting.