Visual Analysis
Haley Merritt
RHET 1302.031
Visual Analysis
March 31, 2014
A Lack of Presence
Strolling down Clements Street in Bristol, England, you would pass a mural of lovers embracing. Upon closer observation you can see that the two are distracted by their cell phones.
Although the couple appears to have their faces inches from the other’s neither one of the individuals seems to be emotional present in the intimate moment. The elusive street artist
Banksy is known for his thought provoking pieces. Banksy is a celebrated British graffiti artist, whose artwork has appeared throughout London and other locations around the world. In April of 2014, the painting ‘Mobile Lovers’ appeared on the side of a Bristol building. Banksy uses juxtaposition of color, perspective, and satire to depict the way mobile technology has effected even the most intimate moments.
With his art, Banksy chooses to target specific social groups. In the past he has aimed his work towards the British police, British monarchy, wall street, and the conflict between Israel and Palestine(Exit Through The Gift Shop). The targeted audience for ‘Mobile Lovers’ could be anyone with a cell phone addiction. “Perhaps a reflection on the public 's technology addiction in general, the mural may require people to put down their phones in order to find it, or ironically stare at them more avidly, as snaps of it will inevitably wind up on social media,” said
Christopher Hooton of The Independent. Banksy’s art is designed to make a statement and provoke its viewers to examine their own lives. While some may argue that Banksy’s art is a form of advertisement for societal and political issues, his purpose is not to make a profit, but for
society to truly examine itself. “Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world I can 't even finish my second apple pie” (Banksy, Wall and Piece). Most of his paintings reflect this tonguein-cheek sense of humor he has.
The painting is relatively plain looking. The viewer will most
RHET 1302.031
Visual Analysis
March 31, 2014
A Lack of Presence
Strolling down Clements Street in Bristol, England, you would pass a mural of lovers embracing. Upon closer observation you can see that the two are distracted by their cell phones.
Although the couple appears to have their faces inches from the other’s neither one of the individuals seems to be emotional present in the intimate moment. The elusive street artist
Banksy is known for his thought provoking pieces. Banksy is a celebrated British graffiti artist, whose artwork has appeared throughout London and other locations around the world. In April of 2014, the painting ‘Mobile Lovers’ appeared on the side of a Bristol building. Banksy uses juxtaposition of color, perspective, and satire to depict the way mobile technology has effected even the most intimate moments.
With his art, Banksy chooses to target specific social groups. In the past he has aimed his work towards the British police, British monarchy, wall street, and the conflict between Israel and Palestine(Exit Through The Gift Shop). The targeted audience for ‘Mobile Lovers’ could be anyone with a cell phone addiction. “Perhaps a reflection on the public 's technology addiction in general, the mural may require people to put down their phones in order to find it, or ironically stare at them more avidly, as snaps of it will inevitably wind up on social media,” said
Christopher Hooton of The Independent. Banksy’s art is designed to make a statement and provoke its viewers to examine their own lives. While some may argue that Banksy’s art is a form of advertisement for societal and political issues, his purpose is not to make a profit, but for
society to truly examine itself. “Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world I can 't even finish my second apple pie” (Banksy, Wall and Piece). Most of his paintings reflect this tonguein-cheek sense of humor he has.
The painting is relatively plain looking. The viewer will most
Cited: Banksy. Wall and Piece / Banksy. London: Century, 2005. Exit Through the Gift Shop. Dir. Banksy. Perf. Banksy, Thierry Guetta and Space Invader. Paranoid Pictures, 2010. Netflix Streaming Movie. Hooton, Christopher. "New Banksy Art Sees Love and Smartphones at Odds, but Where in the UK Is It?" The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 14 Apr. 2014. Web. 26 Mar. 2015