Frida Kahlo, Las dos Fridas (The Two Fridas), 1939
Historical Background:
Kahlo was emphasizing her pain after her divorce from Diego Riviera, representing her dual personalities as someone that Diego loved and someone that he left. She is also representing her struggle in defining her identity as both Mexican and German, a woman loved and a woman abandoned.
Representation of Gender Role:
I think that she is showing her strength, she depicts her self as being wounded, but is still redefining herself using herself as her source of strength (holding her own hand).
RESEARCH
Bitty, No Homo, 2015
I chose to reform Los dos Fridas by Frida Kahlo because she is supporting her two halves of herself, it is a very vulnerable work of art. She was representing herself after her divorce and depicts her suffering and her strength. I chose to reposition the two Fridas to make them face away from each other. They are no longer holding hands or giving each other emotional support, this is challenging the gender stereotype that men aren’t allowed to express their emotions freely. I chose to keep the Fridas as women because the phrase “no homo” is a common phrase used by younger men when they want to express their emotions without being labeled as gay or womanly.
By keeping the two Fridas as women, the phrase seems more ridiculous as they face away from each other, not being supported through a difficult time. Challenging the belief that showing emotion is weak, showing instead that strength and support come from being open with one’s emotions, not being able to share your emotions and thoughts is what is actually weak.
INDIVIDUAL ART MAKING
I thought the art process was interesting and I enjoyed looking at the discussion board to see what my classmates picked for their gender stereotype pieces. The process of research and discussion helped me have a better understanding of how artists depict their message and made it easier to recreate the piece. The exchange of ideas that happened in class and through the research was beneficial to understand what would be an appropriate adaptation to the original work of art.
REFLECT ON THE PROJECT
Bitty
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