Studio Brief 2 - Printed Pictures
Initial Thoughts

As i discussed at the end of Studio Brief 1 I want to further explore how ambiguous and visceral imagery can be used to communicate complex or even intangible subject matter and concepts. This is due to the fact that I feel much of Murakami's work and philosophy is reflects this often touching upon complex metaphysical/existential subject matter.

Furthermore as I found last year within my work, one strength of using ambiguous imagery is that, although you will have created it to communicate specific ideas based around the content of a project, it forces the viewer to make their own decisions on the message based on their experiences/ways of viewing things. This ambiguity of meaning leaving readers to make their own minds up on the specific meanings or subject matter is something prevalent in almost all of Murakami's  work and therefore I think it would be a good way to communicate his key concepts visually through Studio Brief 2:Printed pictures.

I also want to create a subdued atmosphere through out my work that sits some where between mundane, surreal and melancholy. This is because much of Murakmi's work focuses on the banality of everyday life and the importance of the small, often unnoticed moments in ever day life. This is usual told in a dream like manner often juxtaposing them with slightly out of place objects/situations/character behaviour to create a mood that is surreal and bordering on the uncanny.

Giorgio De Chirico






Jon McNaught




The work of both surrealist Giorgio De Chirico and Jon McNaught  seemed like strong visual reference points for the general feel/tone I want from my work. Both employ a very traditional approach to composition to create well though out and harmonious scenic imagery often using large contrasting areas of light and dark to highlight key points of interest within the images as well as creating and subdued dreamlike aesthetic.

However despite sharing a similar aesthetic in that both artists work feels surreal with out being overt about it, they achieve this in two distinctly different ways. The first combines, often incredibly boring/mundane objects with others that seem completely out of place create imagery that, without one would seem very boring and normal but when combined seems incredibly weird and even unnerving. The latter on the other hand uses lighting and dreamlike (often pastel) colour pallets to give everyday moments, such as sitting at a desk, and ethereal/otherworldly quality.

Employing similar compositional elements and visual devices within my own work will be key to communicating the content of my work as well as achieving the appropriate aesthetic in which to deliver it.