Frida Kahlo Exhibit

Self Portrait with Monkeys.

Frida Kahlo's paintings were much different than I imagined they were going to be. I was not familiar with her work before the exhibit, although when I was there I recognized some of her paintings from her "uni brow". Her pictures were more dark and eccentric than I imagined them to be. Yet very interesting and exciting to look at at the same time. I liked trying to figure out what each picture could symbolize or mean. Her paintings made me want to read more about her and her art work, where she came from and her life. Her paintings exhibited pain, sorrow and a feeling of desperation. They all drew you in. A few of my favorites from the exhibit were: Henry Ford Hospital, The Two Frida's, The Broken Column, Self Portrait with Monkeys, Flower of Life and Sun and Life.




The Broken Column.

This picture was one of my favorites. Her gaze is captivating yet blank. You can see her depression and desperation in her stare. In place of her spine is a broken column, it looks like possibly a Doric or Ionic Greek column, and it's shattered, resembling a broken spine. The various sizes of nails all pinned into her body seem to represent a reminder of a pricking pain all throughout her body. The straps that are wound around her torso and shoulders seem to resemble some sort of brace. The background is as plain as her gaze and i love the blues in the sky behind her. Yet there is still a melancholy feel to this picture.







Henry Ford Hospital.

This painting is really odd and twisted. It's so strange that I almost don't know what to make of it. It took a lot of staring and thinking to realize this had to do with having a baby or from the puddle of blood, a miscarriage. She lays in a hospital bed, naked, in a puddle of blood. Connected to her stomach by veins are a snail, baby, insides, flower and pelvic bones. Her paintings, especially in this one lack a realistic quality visually, but after reading up on the background information of this painting, it's clear that it represents her reality. Her painting is flat and dream like. All the images look as if they were just pasted onto the background. They lack depth, but even still a wave of emotion overcomes you as you look deeper into this painting.


Flower of Life.

This painting is a prime example of her paintings representing her reality all while looking very unrealistic. The flower looks like a monster version of a Venus fly trap. The colors in this particular painting are dark and diluted. This looks like an image one would have in a freaky and horrific nightmare. This painting of the flowers reminds me of a Georgie O'Keeffe painting, having the flowers represent sexuality and male and female organs.









The Love Embrace of the Universe.

This was the piece in Kahlo's collection that I felt was most influenced by Aztec/Pre-hispanic/Ancient Mexican art. I saw in most of her paintings elements of influence of Ancient Mexican art but this painting seemed more influenced than the others. All of her paintings represented the culture where she came from, either by ethic makeup, dress, or landscape. This paintings theme had a spiritual and mystical influence as we have learned the Olmec valued and created art for. In this painting Kahlo is in a more traditional dress and is holding a full grown man in a position of a baby. Kahlo is being held by a sort of God. This God and as well as Kahlo are being cradled by 2 large hands. The hands embracing them are black and white. Most likely representing day and night. In the arms of Night and Day are many cactus's which are the most common landscape elements in Mexico. Roots hang from underneath the 2 embracing arms, showing the roots of earth.

Mexico

When I think of Mexico the first thing that comes to my mind is food. Tacos, Fajitas, Nachos, Burritos, Margaritas, Tequilla, ect. Good home made, family style cooking. The one particular food I think of is jalapenos peppers.

From all the times I've watched the History Channel I am reminded of the Aztec and Maya civilizations that used to inhabit Mexico. I am really excited to get to learn about their culture and art. To see where Spanish and Mexican roots originated from.

I visited Cabo last summer and I have to say it was not what I expected. The coast line was absolutely breath taking but the city and weather took some getting used to. Visiting Mexico was definatly not resort like such as Hawaii but you definatly learn to apperciate what you have. The people were very personable and very hard working. Their markets were full of so many diverse artifacts and locally made items. But the one thing I was clued into was how poor Mexico actually is. I thought Mexico was going to be like Hawaii but I quickly learned what good advertising can do for a company/place. I'm just couldn't believe that so many people lived like that. I had never seen anything like that. I just don't see how people could be okay with living in such poverty right next door to multi-million dollar resorts.

Being a lover of the motor sport community I automatically thought of the Baja 1000/500.

The landscape. Raw desert. Cowboys and lone rangers. The landscape makes me think of Western flicks and desert wildlife.

Most of all I think about it's tradition, culture and family values. My overall image of Mexico is putting the family before the individual. And a culute with lots of history and roots which have all been rooted in faith and family.