We are delighted to invite you to the enchanting world of art again. Hopefully, our devoted art-lovers liked the first part, where we told about famous portraits, and for those who have not read it yet, here is a link:
This selection presents mostly abstract paintings and only one portrait but it was performed in the style of symbolism, which is in fact quite closely related to abstract art.
- “Portrait of Margaret Stonborough Wittgenstein” (1905) by Gustav Klimt in the film “Ex Machina” (2014)
Actors starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac.
The science fiction psychological thriller Ex Machina was the debut work of the director Alex Garland who put all efforts to make it a masterpiece. The film won Oscar in the nomination Best Visual effects and cannot leave the audience indifferent to its unusual plot, too. The billionaire hires a young programmer, whose task is to spend a week in a house cut off from civilization, testing a female robot with artificial intelligence.
The portrait of Margaret Stonborough Wittgenstein was not chosen accidentally. She was a sister of a well-known Austrian philosopher Ludvig Wittgenstein and a pianist Paul Wittgenstein, and had a high intelligence enabling her to be into mathematics, chemistry, psychoanalysis and painting. An incredible smart young girl also had a significant influence on the philosophy of her younger brother Ludwig.
It is interesting that when creating her portrait, Klimt decided to avoid his remarkable gold that made him outstanding in the world of art.
And now let us immerse ourselves into four enigmatic abstract artworks. The first one can be seen in the same film.
- No. 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock in the film “Ex Machina” (2014)
Actors starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac.
The abstract masterpiece "Number 5" is paired with "Portrait of Margaret Stonborough Wittgenstein” to lay border between the abstract and the real, and in a way, explain the difference between instincts and reasonable logical thinking. This painting is made in the style of abstract expressionism and unique Pollock’s paint pouring and spraying techniques that still mesmerize the audience.
It is really surprising but initially it was bought by a Philippine art dealer for only $1500 but in 2006 was sold to a Mexican art collector for $140 mln, which made it one of the most expensive paintings ever.
Abstract art, the same as cinematography, is versatile and multi-faceted, and the next three abstract paintings from the American mystical drama “Meet Joe Black” is a proof. The film is rich in inimitable iconic works, and the first we will look at is “Blue, Orange, Red” by Mark Rothko (1961)
- “Blue, Orange, Red” by Mark Rothko (1961) in the film “Meet Joe Black” (1998)
Actors starring: Brad Pitt, Anthony Hopkins, Claire Forlani
This movie is adored by spectators not only for its fascinating plot. The film is literally permeated with works of art that are located in the luxurious mansion of the Perrish family. At the stairs we see the work of the American abstract artist Mark Rothko “Blue, Orange, Red”. It is the brightest painting in the color field technique created by Rothko. However, taking into consideration which actors played the leading roles in the movie, the director was not afraid of showing radiant paintings in it.
- "Happiness to love my brunette" (1925) by Joan Miro
In this film, we watch the character of Brad Pitt against the backdrop of the painting created by the Spanish artist Joan Miro "Happiness to love my brunette." It is weird but we can guess the hair color of the female figure in the painting only by its title: in fact, the woman was painted bald.
- “Composition IV” (1911) by Wassily Kandinsky
The Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky became worldwide known by his works in the style of abstractionism. This manner can be called “pure” abstraction as he became a pioneer of subjectless art.
Evidently, the choice of abstract paintings to accompany the actors’ performance is intended to emphasize the mysterious identity of the young handsome man who is totally unlike all others who Susan had met before.