Shattered Dreams and Hopeless Desires: Paul Gauguin Whence Come We What Are We Whither Go We

Showing posts with label Paul Gauguin Whence Come We What Are We Whither Go We. Show all posts

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Paul Gauguin's "Whence Come We? What Are We? Whither Go We?"

Introduction

Wouldn't it be amazing for each human being to own an 'emotion switch?' You turn it ON when you’re happy and simply shut it OFF when you're feeling down. Our emotions can become so powerful that they turn into terrifying monsters, unable to stay in their own cages. Sadness and depression overcomes everyone at some point in their lives, mostly in small periods of time. But for the unlucky ones, it becomes a lifelong shadow, hindering each step of the way.
When you are stuck in a rut so deep, with no light to lead you forward, no strength to keep you going, you are left with feelings of worthlessness and you’re our own failures to swallow you up. Its extremity can lead to an extent of self-destruction. Even small things like rejection - being cast away from society, friends, or even your own family can cause you to distant yourself from the world and its cruel realities. The loneliness choking at your throat, threatening you more and more – and it is only this, which keeps you alive.
The following artworks demonstrate in some way: anxiety, disappointment, helplessness, devastation, depression, or loneliness. There are no traces of happiness or laughter, even the slightest glimpse of hope withers away throughout time.

Link to Another Blog

http://princewang-thelowerclass.blogspot.com/

Life of the Lower Class is connected to this blog in many ways. Their emotions and feelings are as described here. Their happiness is hidden behind helplessness, and longing for better conditions. "The Gleaners" by Millet was painted to describe life as the poor. They work all day under the scorching sun, and to them, earning a living was not easy - life was not easy. "Wounded Soldier" by Dix depicts a soldeir from World War I. A quote from Dix can be found on the blog, "These soldiers were actually buried alive; this is what dying from poison gas was like; this is what a dead horse looks like; these were the expression on the faces of the wounded." The lower class has life the hard way - their hands hurting from labor, backs sore from work, and memories filled with hardships and suffering.