Art of War, War of Art: The Last Day trailer
In the post-modernist era, the Western world’s definition of art has expanded widely to include several new mediums, from commercials to human beings themselves to video games. Although aesthetic preference based on subjective interpretations will always hold sway (there will always be people claiming such things are not art, or if they do admit an open understanding of art, will argue what is good art and what is not), I happen to believe that anything (or anyone) has the potential to be art. An appreciation of an artistic creation involves a communication of sorts, from the creator to the observer through the piece itself, a communication that the observer actively participates in as he or she interprets and is affected by any particular piece.
A recent piece of art (at least I think it is art) that has affected me in this way is the new Gears of War 2 trailer, entitled The Last Day. The piece is to me visually stunning, and it’s combination with the poignant and haunting “How it Ends” by DeVotchKa conveys the perfect picture of contemplation and appreciation for the very things one fights to protect, along with gritty determination to fight for those things at any cost.
Included here is a gallery of sorts, including The Last Day trailer along with some pieces of classical and modern art that all in many ways both convey and invoke similar emotive responses to war and those who participate in war. I will leave the interpretation of what is art, and what is good art, for you to decide, but here are some of the emotions and images the trailer invokes in me, and the more artful associations I think convey some of these same ideas.
The contemplation of a soldier before and after battle, his sadness for those who have died, his awareness of his own impending doom, his appreciation for what could be his last moments in life, his determined Sisyphean resolution to continue fighting, despite the knowledge that the battle could very well be lost, his awareness that a price has already been paid, a sacrifice already made, and yet the world still demands more be given, his understanding that Death awaits him personally, and he must fight not only for his own life, but the lives of all whom he holds dear.
Each of these pieces of art tells a story, a very emotive story for me personally, and I can’t wait for the release of Gears of War 2, because I know that that particular story will be an EPIC piece of art in and of itself!
The Last Day
The Soldier on the Field of Waterloo by Horace Vernet
“Sisyphus” A ceramic installation piece by Steven M. Allen
Portrait of Russian soldier (1945), artist unknown
Untitled, by Jansson Stegner
Oil painting of a French soldier by Georges Scott
Close up of the Fallen Soldier from the Ulysses S. Grant memorial
“The Price” by Tom Lee
Hercules Fighting Death to Save Alcestis, by Frederic Lord Leighton.
*** Insert image is The Weary Soldier by Anne Karin
For Marcus Fenix
I think this is a tricky topic that will always cause a conflict of opinion. Unlike you, I think that art is visual, music can not be art, although it can be creative, and people can do creative things with their body, but again, it wouldn’t be considered art in my opinion.
I don’t think I could have the same emotions when i look at a picture of Marcus, in an imaginary warzone, the same way i would look at paintings/sculptures portraying past battles where hundreds or thousands of soldiers lost their life. Even if both are considered art, you won’t see these available in the same gallery for a good reason.
Well, you also won’t see some of the most beautiful graffiti art (and some of it is VERY compelling and beautiful) in a gallery as well. There is a lot of good art you won’t see in a gallery. That’s NOT the definition of what makes art. Neither does whether or not it is real or imaginary. Does Classical or Post-Raphaelite war scenes depicting “mythical” fights and battles not count as “true” art? They are just as “imagined’ as Marcus Fenix.
And remember, it’s not just a picture of “Marcus in a warzone” that I am advocating as art, it’s an entire combination of visual and graphic effects, combined with music and compelling characters and stories with which one can interact and take away whatever meaning they wish, or even no meaning at all.
art is displayed in many forms, i absolutely enjoyed looking at every single one of these photos of paintings and even more so enjoyed trying to read the emotion off of them, even the one of marcus the slight view of his eyes and the darkness and struggle that’s being portrayed just from a “simple” painting, oh and the Hercules one LOVE it!
this article is a great example of the famous saying ” a picture is worth a thousand words” I did enjoy the pieces on display and all of them were filled with so much emotion and in a way each one tells a story… my fav was Sisyphus
Brilliant article Dope Kitten. I must say, Art is a confusing topic, one which I am not well versed and so I take my hat off to you for successfully attempting an article on such a thing. I believe all of the above (music including) can be classed as Art. My favourite one from the list has to be the Steven M. Allen. How that one encapsulates War, In my opinion is absolutely ’spot on.’ Good choice of making it about war becuase concerning war especially, art can show it in ways that books never can. If there is a debate, surely there can be no ‘correct’ answer as all comes down to personal interpretation. If it didn’t then there would be no art.
Thanks guys, I’m glad you like it! It took me a while to hunt down some of these pieces.
And I agree, the Sisyphus piece is AMAZING, you can’t tell from the picture but the whole piece is actually quite large.
And Beanie, I love Leighton I have several of his prints hanging in my office cubicle and this one was always one of my favorites. I always found the look of fear in Death’s eyes very affecting and surprising.
i was at work when i saw this blog and after seeing the hercules one i immediately looked for a bigger version of it, i also looked up other works by Leighton, i found 3 others that i really really liked a lot, “Study” with the little girl sitting down reading a book, the Sampson one where he is fighting a lion, and the Romeo and Juliet one after they have both committed suicide, oh yea lol and the one with King David as he’s staring off into the sky, “Oh that I had the wings of a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest”
Wow fuckin amazing article.. I love how you guys don’t right about a bunch of random bs.. this article is just great..
I wish I could say something intelligent about art and video games here but I fail lol
The art of war…
2. ……
The Art Of War…
…A post I read a while ago over at…