Methods of Inquiry Sixth Reflection

Art is a vast subject with so many different forms that each have their own effects on the viewer. Some are similar however some are vastly different in their effects. The traditional painting, depending on the artist, can make you feel deep, vivid emotions from a single glance, while an artistic video encapsulates you in exactly what the artist wants.

I’ve chosen the painting/etching “Abraham Weeping for Sarah” by Marc Chagall and the video from Sable Elyse Smith’s exhibition “Ordinary Violence”. Both are deeply emotional pieces that aim for the viewer to sympathize and understand each situation, however they achieve this end in different ways. The painting and the video both achieve their goal of making the viewer feel, at least from my perspective. Their subject matter is vastly different, yet they both draw on the emotions of grief. The video does this through tough depictions of the American prison system and life for those on the outside, while the painting does it by showing Abraham at his lowest weeping for the loss of his wife, Sarah. Next, both mediums show great artistic talent. Chagall masters the simplistic art form, while Smith makes an excellent compilation of found footage, clips from film and television, and original footage to create an interesting, thought-provoking film. Finally, both pieces show great care and interest in their topic and both are drawn from and inspired by personal experience. Smith’s film is drawn directly from her experience with the prison system with her father being incarcerated from a young age. That shows from her concern with it and his direct involvement in the film. Chagall’s painting, while inspired obviously from the Old Testament, is still inspired by his experience with his faith and resembles someone from Eastern Europe, where Chagall was born and raised.

While there are many similarities, there are still some differences. First, I found Chagall’s painting to be easier to understand faster compared to the film; from one glance I understood the painting mostly. That being said, I felt more immersed in the issues watching the film, because the audio-visual combination kept my senses more engaged. Additionally, the film had more freedom to do more than the painting, because it wasn’t a static image. The changing sounds and sights in the film allowed for quick changes in what Smith wanted you to feel and a vaster, vivid range of emotions. I found the painting was incredibly easier to understand because it’s a story that I knew but also take out the story and it’s still easy to understand the emotions behind it. The film was a little more confusing because it doesn’t clearly tell an exact narrative, but knowing a little context behind it really helps. Finally, I found the film to be more impactful because despite the confusion in the beginning, the film was more immersive and the dynamic changes allowed for a wide range of emotions to deeply affect the viewer.

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