Alfred Mucha

Alfons MuchaAlfons Mucha was an artist who embodied the Art Nouveau period (from around 1890). Despite primarily being a graphic illustrator, he also designed interiors, jewellery and advertisements among other decorative arts. He was known for Style Mucha, where he portrayed stylized women, usually with flowers or natural elements. This style eventually developed into Art Nouveau. His first piece that attracted attention was a poster for Gismonda in Paris, where he moved at the age of 27. Mucha said that his purpose was to always create and never destroy and that art exists only to communicate a spiritual message.

Job 1896

This piece by Mucha is an advertisement he created for cigarette papers in 1890s Paris. The composition is framed by the geometric border, with sharp triangular shapes. However, the main figure of the woman overlaps this border, drawing the eye and making it look like she is in front, giving it dimension.

One of Muchas initial drawings for JobThe tiled effect of the text in the background of the poster contrasts with the overlapping, curved and smooth lines of the hair - which include almost no change in tone or colour. The hair takes up a lot of the composition and space in the piece, and all leads back to the central figure who is holding the cigarette, leading the viewer to her even more and encouraging people to want to buy them.

Boutique Fouquet 1900/01

This space is the main room of the Georges Fouquet jewellery store designed by Mucha at the very beginning of the 20th century. It is after he developed a unique style from his illustration work, which he included in this interior design. The stained glass and bronze fittings give the room a lavish and exotic feel, which summarizes the art nouveau style. On the ceiling, Mucha has used curved, long and free-flowing lines which divide it up into panels. There is a large amount of gold and bronze which represent wealth and decadence, and you can see natural influences of the peacock and sea creatures, as art nouveau had a large oriental influence.

Ishu Patel

A Rockefeller Foundation Scholarship brought Ishu Patel to the National Film Board of Canada to study animation filmmaking for a year, after previously studying fine art. In 1972 he joined the NFB and spent the next 25 years producing and directing animated films. Recently, Patel has also been travelling South East Asia photographing different cultures.

His work is mostly very colourful and visual, with a lot of movement. A lot of it is also based on ethical issues, usually relating to nature.

Bead Game 1977

This is Patels first animated film, which is made entirely out of beads. It is a simple concept, but hypnotizing to watch and fairly fast paced. The black background makes the small beads stand out, and when they are grouped together, there is an illusion of whole blocks of colour. Patel has made the sequence so that each object/animal leads into the other, giving it a natural flow representing the theme of nature and the cycle of life. Despite the beads being small, Patel has still managed to use a bright colour scheme, as he often does. The film's technique was inspired by the beadwork of Inuit women, and is intended as a warning about human hostility.

Paradise 1985

This animation is a later piece, and it is clear to see how Patels work has developed. Despite having the same black background, natural themes and a colourful, exotic colour scheme, the images are more advanced. Each frame was hand painted and illustrated, described as individual works of art. Similarly to Bead Game a lot of the elements are represented in small marks often acting as shimmers of light. This is used for creating the temple, giving the illusion it is lit at night. Both Bead Game and Paradise were nominated for Oscars, among other awards.

Comparing Mucha and PatelAfter doing this initial research, I think these two artists have many similarities. They are both have natural influences, and use a variety of colours, even though Muchas work is slightly more muted and detailed. Both styles use long and sweeping lines, even though Patels include movement. This gives them a similar aesthetic and style.

Bibliographyhttp://www.ishupatel.com/http://www.openculture.com/2012/10/ishu_patels_oscar-nominated_animated_films.htmlMucha, Master of Art Nouveau by Renate UlmerAnimation Now by Julius Weidemann