Mystery picture 2

Hey reader,
This is the picture I'm about to analyze! The two questions our Art teacher posed to us are

1. What is the studium of this photo?

2. What is the punctum of this photo?

I didn't know the meaning of these two words so I searched for the meaning of the words. Here is what I found.
Basically studium is the element that creates interest in a photographic image. It shows the intention of the photographer but we experience this intention in reverse as spectators; the photographer thinks of the idea (or intention) then present it photographically, the spectator then has to act in the opposite way, they see the photograph then have to interpretate it to see the ideas and intentions behind it.
Punctum is an object or image that jumps out at the viewer within a photograph- ‘that accident which pricks, bruises me.’ Punctum can exist alongside studium, but disturbs it, creating an ‘element which rises from the scene’ and unitentially fills the whole image. Punctum is the rare detail that attracts you to an image.
1. What is the studium of this photo?
The studium of this photo is the sheet of patterned paper on the wall. It seems like an ordinary wall paper however, it does not cover the whole wall. It only covers a section of it. This is odd as it does not serve it's function. Also, there are two pieces of labels flanking the side of this wall paper. The labels could be description to this wall paper. The focal point of this photograph could very well be an artwork. The intention of this photographer could be to startle the viewer as to question if one can consider the wall paper art?


2. What is the punctum of this photo?
The puntum of this photo is the wall paper of course. The pastel colours, flowery patterns contrast with the blend, white wall. It reminds me of a traditional Japanese wall paper. What strikes me is that the wall paper does not fully cover the wall and it bends at the top right corner of the wall paper.

Mystery Picture

I can't seem to post the picture?


1) What is this work made of?

Acrylic.

2) what do you think the title is?

It reminded me of blue berries at first but I decided that it looks like alveolus too? Why is there a pool of black liquid? That is a rhetorical question. I think the title is called "Smoker's Alveolus".


3) what do you think the artist wants to convey?
I think,he wants create irony out of the work. The artist is depicting a smoker's alveolus (which has probably inhaled tar causing it to be black) in an abstract manner. Although the content is disturbing yet the portrayal of it is pleasing to the eye. He also used simple, circular shapes -this could have been because he only wanted to capture the essence of it subject.

4) what do you feel upon seeing this work?
The circular ball clumped together made me disgusted at first. Later on, I felt that the black, smooth and reflective nature of the material made the work look sophisticated.It is intriguing as well as one is unable to recognize it as a familiar subject and the magnitude of the sculpture. It looks rather appetizing too.


5) why do you think it is suitable for public display?
It is sophisticated. It complements well with the sleek interior of Esplanade foyer. It would make the viewers ponder on what it could be. It is also eye catching as it stands out from the angular shapes (the stairs and platform) around the sculpture.

Hi nicole! :D