Atomic Cowboy - jahkai

 

The Atomic Cowboy 

Cowboy’s Dream

This piece refers to the oddly high number of cancer deaths among the cast of the movie, “The Conqueror”. Which was filmed at a nuclear test site, which in my opinion plays a big role in these deaths. It shows that even “long” after these tests, let alone even using the bomb on people. These bombs still have an effect on people even today. These bombs ruin the air quality, leaving residue in the air for years and years. Which this points out, what I think the artist is trying to do is show the brutality of this bomb. How even people who weren't hit directly still can find their way to death and health issues by even being in the radius where this bomb was tested. You can take this information and try to imagine what it’s like for innocent people to get hit by something like this head on. It’s dehumanizing, it’s brutal, and honestly it’s scary. This to me shows that.  “It is also the crossover of production and representation that we can become most aware of what is not represented or spoken, the omissions and silences that reveal the power of cultural ideology” this quote ties in to this piece very well, it basically says to represent what isn't represented. I don’t think people talk about the everlasting effects of the atomic bomb on people and how it could affect families and take lives even long after it blew. 

"Cloud of Mushroom Soup"

These cans represent each announced nuclear test in America. This piece uses a popular soup brand to tell us to never forget. Particularly "Take it home, for (__) shall not repeat the error,". To me it means to not repeat the error of these bombs. To not repeat the cycle of violence that continues to beam through the world. Nagasawa takes the iconic Campbell's soup can, which I see as a staple of consumerism, & flips it to create discomfort. You’re supposed to be uncomfortable about seeing something like this. Using a “mushroom cloud” as a symbol for nuclear devastation. It takes a turn on Warhol’s cans and multiple things can be interpreted through it. Another thing I see through this is how the violence has become normalized. Using the mass amount of cans to show how violence has become just has normalized as the cans of soup we eat. Nagasawa makes me think of a quote that is kinda distant, but the quote is “De Pisan also raises all ambiguities about what form of expression a female voice might take” The reason why I bring this up is because Nagasawa takes a form that can be interpreted in multiple different ways. Well to me atleast, the cans and visuals through items and graphics are just really experimental and cool to me. It’s simple but spreads a vast amount of messages. Another quote that reminds me of these pieces is “As humanist ideas with their stress on nature and the Antique began to influence visual arts.” Which is what we are seeing here, views being pushed out through different types of visual arts. I just really like the cans and how they are edited with small details to create a message. Thank you Nagasawa.