By Miranda Sweeney
When writers affect us deeply, it is no wonder that their names are adopted and made into adjectives as part of our language. Franz Kafka is one of these writers and the adjective used in this one-world slogan devised from his name basically describes a strongly surreal situation and yet one to which people can relate. His works are widely read and their quintessential qualities have infiltrated not only into our language usage but into many avenues of artistic expression, Kafkaesque art being one of these.
The works of Kafka were marked by a disorientating, sometimes menacing complexity. He managed to combine great yearning together with a sense of impossibility and futility. Kafka himself did stark, graphic drawings infused with this same tension. Many of his drawings have ended up gracing the covers of his books.
The works of Kafka were marked by a disorientating, sometimes menacing complexity. He managed to combine great yearning together with a sense of impossibility and futility. Kafka himself did stark, graphic drawings infused with this same tension. Many of his drawings have ended up gracing the covers of his books.
The imagery used in his works is dark, whether this is a giant device used for torture and capital punishment by the military, a human turned into a huge insect or an artist starving himself to death. This dark imagery has also given artists on all sorts of art forms impetus. Their images reflect the alienation of man and his anxiety as he deals with a world that is dehumanized.
Metamorphosis is a work of Kafka that has a great influence. It deals with the possibility of transmogrifying from one form to another. When a human being is changed into a large insect, he faces various conflicts. We inevitably start to think about change and our own identity. This kind of thought stimulates artistic expression. We see paintings where humans are depicted as insects and others wear insects have human qualities.
Symbolism is important in all art forms. Kafka used much symbolism in his works. In his work about an artist starving himself, he places him in a cage. The cage is symbolic of his alienation and isolation from the rest of humanity. The symbolism can be interpreted in different ways and in great works of art, the symbolism allows this too. The viewers have to use their own imaginations to interpret.
Kafka was also known for his manipulation of language and use of ambiguity. This was often so pronounced that translators have difficulty translating his works. This use of ambiguity leads to readers searching for meaning. Paintings in this vein also need to be deciphered for hidden messages.
Many forms of art from music to photography have found inspiration in the works of Kafka. Struggle, isolation, despair and absurdity are all themes that have translated into other art forms. Even some computer games are considered Kafkaesque in vision.
Kafka has an uncanny ability to translate the person
Metamorphosis is a work of Kafka that has a great influence. It deals with the possibility of transmogrifying from one form to another. When a human being is changed into a large insect, he faces various conflicts. We inevitably start to think about change and our own identity. This kind of thought stimulates artistic expression. We see paintings where humans are depicted as insects and others wear insects have human qualities.
Symbolism is important in all art forms. Kafka used much symbolism in his works. In his work about an artist starving himself, he places him in a cage. The cage is symbolic of his alienation and isolation from the rest of humanity. The symbolism can be interpreted in different ways and in great works of art, the symbolism allows this too. The viewers have to use their own imaginations to interpret.
Kafka was also known for his manipulation of language and use of ambiguity. This was often so pronounced that translators have difficulty translating his works. This use of ambiguity leads to readers searching for meaning. Paintings in this vein also need to be deciphered for hidden messages.
Many forms of art from music to photography have found inspiration in the works of Kafka. Struggle, isolation, despair and absurdity are all themes that have translated into other art forms. Even some computer games are considered Kafkaesque in vision.
Kafka has an uncanny ability to translate the person
Symbolism is important in all art forms. Kafka used much symbolism in his works. In his work about an artist starving himself, he places him in a cage. The cage is symbolic of his alienation and isolation from the rest of humanity. The symbolism can be interpreted in different ways and in great works of art, the symbolism allows this too. The viewers have to use their own imaginations to interpret.
Kafka was also known for his manipulation of language and use of ambiguity. This was often so pronounced that translators have difficulty translating his works. This use of ambiguity leads to readers searching for meaning. Paintings in this vein also need to be deciphered for hidden messages.
Many forms of art from music to photography have found inspiration in the works of Kafka. Struggle, isolation, despair and absurdity are all themes that have translated into other art forms. Even some computer games are considered Kafkaesque in vision.
Kafka has an uncanny ability to translate the personal circumstances of his life into universally compelling works. He teaches us to live with complexity, ambiguity, multiple meanings, and unclear answers. We have to actively interpret them. This is true of this type of art whatever its form. We have to be active participants in a world in which neither the artist nor the viewer has the complete wisdom or truth.
Kafka was also known for his manipulation of language and use of ambiguity. This was often so pronounced that translators have difficulty translating his works. This use of ambiguity leads to readers searching for meaning. Paintings in this vein also need to be deciphered for hidden messages.
Many forms of art from music to photography have found inspiration in the works of Kafka. Struggle, isolation, despair and absurdity are all themes that have translated into other art forms. Even some computer games are considered Kafkaesque in vision.
Kafka has an uncanny ability to translate the personal circumstances of his life into universally compelling works. He teaches us to live with complexity, ambiguity, multiple meanings, and unclear answers. We have to actively interpret them. This is true of this type of art whatever its form. We have to be active participants in a world in which neither the artist nor the viewer has the complete wisdom or truth.