Death and Moribity..... art that 'bothers' you

memento mori -- remember that you must die

This drawing, 'Death and the Maiden' probably appalls you, makes you cringe, or makes you feel uneasy. It's a graphic potrayal of death molesting a woman. But we can't see a look of distress on her face. Instead she almost seems to embrace death, even kissing back.

This sketch is also titled 'Death and the Maiden', however the girl is seen embracing death even more, unafraid of death. The differences in value between the girl and death sets them apart and in stark contrast to each other.

So what is it about this art that intrigues some people? Is it our fascination with death? Or the joy we may get in seeing other people suffer? What is it that, no matter how horrible, or bloody a car accident may be, forces people to look, and continue looking? Where does our fascination with the macabre.

This is my favorite area of art to explore. I like to make art, or take or manipulate photos that will upset people, catch them off guard. I like art that makes the viewer uncomfortable. To see of the 'art' I make, that I think has a darker appeal to it, click here.

Perhaps on of the clearest examples is Saturn Devouring his Son, a painting so awful to look at, I didn't even post it into this blog. It's horrible, scary, and gross. But his glowing eyes, and the contrast of his body to the background, the way it jumps out at you, makes you unable to look away.

I love art that unsettles the viewer, defies the norm, and stretches the limit of what is acceptable. Other good examples include much music artwork, such as that affiliated with Radiohead, or this piece from their most recent album. I myself would consider the band's own site to be an excellent example of disturbing art... their music too, is a good example.


~robbie