Europe: A Brief Walking Tour
Date of Award
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Freedland, Barry
Keywords
Word Art, Street Aesthetic, Landscape Painting, Travel
Area of Concentration
Art
Abstract
"Europe: A Brief Walking Tour" is based on a three week trip I took through five countries in summer of 2007. While abroad I kept a journal detailing my experiences and immediate observations; the work in this exhibition stems from observations made in the journal, and is enhanced by my previous studies in foreign language and landscape painting. Classic European landscape paintings by Claude Monet and Claude Lorrain are influential, as are the word images of Ed Ruscha and Barbara Kruger. The character and identity of these foreign locations vary significantly, yet certain similarities are inherent; themes of travel, language, and landscape all interact to create distinct regional identities in the exhibition. The role of the tourist and the limited understanding afforded to them is also prominent in the exhibition. Juxtapositions of personal photography and stereotypical imagery interact in the space, abstractly relaying my first experiences abroad to the viewer, occupying both the role of artist and touris ; one's familiarity of the imagery and languages present in the work affects their interpretation, alternately permitting or limiting personal projection into the work.
Recommended Citation
Soforic, Melissa, "Europe: A Brief Walking Tour" (2009). Theses & ETDs. 4185.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4185