Visual Description-
This image has a clear focal point, that being a monster-like creature. This is done by the creature essentially being enhanced by the use of red lines to outline around the image roughly to express its importance in the illustration. Another example that suggests the monster-like creature to be the focal point is the symmetrical differences between the human character in this image compared to the inhumane character. One clearly being larger than the other and taking more room on the image compared to the other. The pig-like creature is drawn by the use of sharp lines and there is a great amount of texture represented on the creature as well. The human character in this art piece is expressed in a flat 2D manner representing it as background to the image. This is done by the use of light and dark color components in the image; the creature is being expressed through light colors and on the other hand, the human character is being expressed through dark colors. The image uses different hues of black, green, red, and pink as the main and primary color choice for this piece. The image is a clear representation of dark saturation and is essentially muting the background to focus on the focal point. Other than the two characters, the background of the image is crowded with red lines drawn into pig-like illustrations and other unidentified creatures. The background is crowded but still has an open space which brings the viewer’s focal point back to the two characters in the middle. The composition of this art piece including the background is composed and organized in a manner to basically express the focal point, that being the two characters. While still emphasizing the inhumane creature and giving it more importance on the art piece compared to the other components.
Interpretation & Meaning-
This art piece expresses the lack of moral, empathetic, and ethical integrities presented by the brutality of the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement otherwise known as I.C.E. This is represented by the monster-like creature attacking Alex Pretti, a former nurse and American citizen. Who was shot and killed by an I.C.E agent. The monster-like creature is emphasized by being outlined in red multiple times with lines being roughly drawn around it. Which essentially makes it the focal point of the art piece and can be interpreted as the blood of the victims surrounding the inhumane creature. The multiple outlines around the creature physiologically make a person want to focus on it and think of it in a negative light. While on the other hand the human character opposite to it being Alex Pretti is represented in a calm manner as if to suggest that the character was oblivious to the circumstances of his future. This was done by the lack of bright colors used to paint his portrait, expressing him in a mellow tone. Something else that supports my Analysis of the brutality of the I.C.E agents is how the agent is represented in the art piece. The creature is a Pig, which is symbolic within itself, but what is extremely interesting is that there are horns on the pig indicating demonic connections. As if to say how could a human be so evil that they are now no longer like humans. That they lack empathy that makes humans human. This art piece can be interpreted in a multitude of ways. Some may look at this art piece as “too much” or as “Why am I looking at this painting, that is so graphic”. While others might look at this and appreciate the representation of what is going on in the world as of today. Paintings like this need more recognition to raise awareness of the hospitality and brutality represented in America to the people of color. At the end of the day no one can decide who to deport or not on stolen land, especially someone who is of immigrant descent as well.
Space, Power, and Access-
This artwork would be encountered by people on social media, on platforms such as Reddit, Instagram, Facebook, or even TikTok. Someone who may not be able to encounter this art piece would be individuals who do not use social media platforms or the ones who do and choose not to educate themselves on today’s circumstances with the rising violence concerning I.C.E brutality. Someone who would see this image and dismiss it represents an anti-intellectual mindset. That would also go over the people who find this image overly graphic, considering this is the reality of the millions of Americans being antagonized and harassed by these agents who have a false agenda of “Protecting Americans” but are essentially destroying the symbolic freedom and opportunities that America once represented. Encounters with artwork like these are normally planned by us. We control what we view on social media, either we can choose to ignore what is going on or face it head on and find a solution to the problem. Artwork like this is normally encountered through the algorithm on social media, choosing what to show you or not based solely on your interests on what you want to view as a consumer. This image is a representation of today’s world which will go down in history as one of the most unethical mass deportations. While the deportations may stop tomorrow, the damage has already occurred. Meaning this art piece while maybe forgotten tomorrow, will within itself last forever. This image is extremely eye-catching and emotionally devastating. It connects with the millions who are victims of this unjust act. America was built on the shoulders of immigrants, why must they be shown show much cruelty.
Bri N
In you’re visual description you do a great job of explaining what is happening in the images especially with finding the focal point. You use clear language when describing where the focal point is and add evidence to add what makes it the focal point. In the start of your paragraph you mention how the red lines imply greater importance however I believe that is a sentence more suited to the interpretation and meaning. You do a great job of describing the usage of color and the framing of the image.
In your Interputations and meaning paragraph you bring up a lot of great points such as the monster representing I.C.E. I think it was a very wise choice to add a bit of context regarding I.C.E. as although it should be common Knowledge at this point in time I do find it important to ensure the reader knows what you are referring to. On the same note I think it would have been nice to see how the man in the artwork resembles Alex Pretti as the man’s eye and hair is covered and majority of this other facial features are hidden under the beard. I did look up what Alex Pretti did look like and although the beard is a close match I do not know if we can be 100% certain it is Pretti due to the lack for features. I believe you could gain more from the piece by opening it up more to other interpterion’s for example is the red blood? Or is it representing danger? Fear perhaps? Are the pigs related to something bigger?
Although I fully agree with your closing statement I believe you could add more strength to your point from phrasing it more neutrally. I think part of why someone might dismiss the drawing is also platforms such as social media may not be taken as serious as others especial for facebook and tiktok which one is viewed as the fake news and propaganda site as well as the social media for old people and the other is often looked down on as stupid dancing app. These are not my opinion this is just the sigma I have picked up on surrounding those two apps. I fully agree that this piece is very provocative, it always is when sounding politics and I think the people dismissing it may just agree with I.C.E. weather its because they are uneducated on it or just plain hateful