(The painting posted here, is my DS ' which brought about some interesting discussion between me n my ilander friend Rahul- (rahulwrites.rediffiland.com) Felt like to share these GB exchanges with all my ilander friends now Here it goes)
Rahul - In all the faces on the painting in
-Rahul
Pra- Rahul… the painting in my DS…
These are my feelings n impressions abt it…
Not only one eye… I feel In this collage like painting, actually only One side is revealed… half concealed Feminity… n half revelaed Womanhood…
I relate it thus to my own Incompleteness hmm? :O))
Also… the use of the vibrant colours…. Green, Red… Shows lot of Life… in spite of all mystery… and incompleteness… There is life In fact That is Life!
That is what & Much more I feel… but not psbl to put it all in words…
Loves, Pra :O)
Rahul - I first thought it that was a sign of terror or fear. But it was not a sign where one eye was closed. But one thing is interesting. In some of the faces, half face itself is hidden, along with the eyes. But in some, the other half face is visible, but only the eye is not there! And there are innocence on all faces - a commom trait… And one of them wears only a neck-tie, something that is considered a man’s garment! And wait, the middle two faces are something! Two halves of the same face!!! but both don’t have the other eye! Seems the painter was either not sure about what s/he wanted to show, or I am not able to get it…
Your explanation was quite right. (1) But how do you explain the middle two faces, morror images? (2) And why these two wear caps? (3) Above the figure wearing a neck-tie, there is a horizontal bar - it that symbol of hanging? 
Pra- Dear Rahul… Wonderful Observations… :O)))
But, Isn’t it a quality of any good art, to raise quiestions in stead of giving solid, sterotyped answers?
This particular painting appeals to us as it poses questions… Unfortunately I donno the name of the painter of this abstract painting which I have found on Net!
Yeah… I do feel… The faces with the clown’s caps are indeed mirror image-like ones… But again very tender, feminine faces, also, incompletely revealed… And… the one, wearing neck-tie… if you obsevre, is a female structure only… May be a ‘contemporary’ female-structure…?? :O))
Hmm Horizontal bar… I guess it again implies a blank frame - A screen with few hazy dots…. again, some sort of uncertaintiy, hanging on the wall…… ?
Well…. Art is more about feeling rather than sheer understanding…. what say?
Loves for you….
Pra~! :O)))
Rahul- When a child paints, there are some very nice patterns But it depends on the person who sees what. So I agree with you…
But how to differentiate a great artist from a novice? Shouln’t he be able to generate a wanted pattern of thinking in the observers, and that should make him/her great? Otherwise any abstract art will be called great creation, as people won’t understand it, so they will think it must be wonderful?
Regards,
Pra - Oh my dear Raul… Why do you want to ‘differentiate’ between novice and great? It is quite an intellectual exercise i feel… :O))) Let the time decide that Personally speaking, my role here is to see, feel and appreciate the work of art in front of me - in my own way And become a part of that process of art making .
Also… I really don’t feel that any genuine artist wishes “to generate a WANTED pattern of thinking in the observers, and become GREAT”… That would be like imposing ONE single meaning on the work of art and also on you n me….
Contrary, he/she wants his work of art to expand with its reader, viewer or listener… this is the beauty… that work of art not only belongs to the artist but also to the beholder… he may - the beholder, accept or reject the work as per his sensitivity! This freedom of Rejection is always respected in all artistic traditions!
As far as my notion is concerned, good works of art always possess multiple layers & possibilities of interpretations… And implie/indicate something inexplicable, which is felt by human mind yet doesnt fall in the limited territory of language and thus can't be explained intellectually with the help of language!
Yeah, as you say, there is this temporary danger we face, that if ppl don't understand they would call any abstract art great! But again, society and culture are great forces, who don't really allow something superficial and dishonest to prevail for long Appreciation based on 'Misunderstanding' is like a wave impermanent which doesn't last long :O))
We can go on n on with this my dear
But, I stop here for now!
Loves, Pra~!
Rahul - Thanks a lot. I got it
Regards.
(”The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.. It is the source of all true art & science!” - Albert Einstein)
Thanks. Learned and enjoyed.
Cool painting and stimulating discussion abt it.
Reading VT bhai’’s comment I thought I will take a hard look at the painting and see what I can see! I think the tightly closed lips coupled with the depth in the eyes say much.
Remember reading about how Silence is the best way to express the inexpressible.Guess visual creations are another way that emphasises that.A collection of figures and lines in a medium that employs silence to speak to you,from another silent world.Open my eyes and my ears,and I can hear an entire narration from every face,but then again,I would horribly fail at explain it to you,my dear friend:))))
Intriguing how art serves to reflect our innermost thoughts - a visual sounding board for the mind …
I”m thinking I like T’’s ideas the best!
it is a wonderful piece of art and should give joy to everyone who watches it ……..the eyes are wonderful and they speak to u ……it is infact an amazing painting…….and what goes in the mind of the artist while painting ,sometimes even GOD will fail to understand that….
no matter who she is, her better half is blind!! T
I think we should not find an explanation in every art and dissect it to dig out meaning. Meaning may sometimes come out of the blue when you are in a particular situation. One subtle reason, more evident in abstract art is to reach inside ourselves and manipulate our unconscious feelings. Great art like that of Picasso or Dali affords a way to get in touch with the unconscious part of our existence, even if we don”t realize what we are doing. In this sense, the role of the artist is to create something that, when viewed by an observer, evokes unconscious feelings and emotions. In realistic art, our energy in appreciating mostly goes to processing the images: the fruit, the woman, the plate, the table or the background. However, when you look at picture such as the one in your DS, our brain power is devoted to feeling. You can open yourself, let in the energy and spirit of the painting, and allow it to dance with our psyche….Thank you for that DS and your lovely thoughts …..PGR
Loved wonderful comments and debate on the subject…I guess,I can say with fair degree of certainty that, the painting depicts that, “In making a living today,a women hardly leave room for life”…….
Wow - I gave up trying to interpret art - for the simple sake that the more I try to understand the more it confuses me. So I decided on one thing - just to lie back and enjoy those creations. Even the painitng of Mona Lisa is subject to interpretations - I just look at it and enjoy the sheer beauty of it- just like the paintings on your DS. Enjoyed the comments and also the QA with Rahul. Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice :))))))))))))))))))
You asked me to give an opinion, so here goes … The Arts are notoriously difficult to interpret, particularly abstract painting. Poetry, which one might think is more straight-forward, is also full of pitfalls. As far as this painting is concerned (it would help to know the artist’’s name and other works), I feel that the frame of the figure wearing a neck-tie is probably key to understanding its intended purpose. It is only figure which is distinct from the others. For one, it is whole and not a partial representation. Two, the eye plays hardly any role in it. What possible meaning can a naked woman wearing only a tie signify? … Search me (hehehe)
Good art raises questions, I guess- like this one here did.
the most interesting aspect of art is interpretations bit! And i would think it is always the observer’’s cognizance which will explore it beyond limits ”cause artist has already drawn it to his imagination and dare he challenge his own interpretation!
It is futile to look at a purpose in art. Art need not convey anything in particular and it is subject to the interpretations. Often, the artist’’s vision is very different from the observer’’s perception. As is pointed out in this post too. Often the simplest work of art also the most appealing. Kids” drawings, the Altamira Cave paintings - all amzingly simple and they still have an enduring effect on us. That is one of the reasons for the rise of abrstract art, to expand the boundaries further and lead to many different interpretations.
You say you “I relate it thus to my own Incompleteness”. Nicely said. Dont you think we get this feeling of incompleteness because we do not realise the completeness of the beautiful Self which we ARE in reality? We are incomplete when we depend on someone or something else to complete us. We become complete the moment we realise we are all part of the same One. Together we complete the whole. You, me and everyone else. But I understand you, for unless you can feel that incompleteness, how would you strive for completeness? Loves..:))
art for arts sake… i used to think on those terms uptil now prachi.. u have put atleast some sort of understanding into my thought process about art and art forms.. what u say would be correct to some degree or other across all art forms… novel way of presenting thoughts in a blog… and thanks to rahul to have instigated this piece..
Einstein’’s quote says it all … And there’’s no ”hit formula” in any field, not even in films … How else would you explain the success of films like ”Taare Zammen Par?” … See? … I am really stupid … Your post is about abstract paintings and I am talking about films … But to each one, his own interpretations … What do you say?
hahaha I adore my husband ! pra. he is as uncomplicated as I complicted. I asked him abt this and his reply is classic “women sab ko ek aankh se dekhti hai” I wonder whether he meant blindly or wqually? i dare notask further coz it COULD be a disguised insult! hehehahah
So Einstein was also too good! And they said science develops only part of the brain
Yes, I agree with you fully that artists have better to raise questions instead of trying to be a ”judge”, passing verdicts, or trying to make the world see his/her point. Best learning comes from self analysis and in that way, they are better teachers than the National Geographic. That is why some times, the paintings make us stop and wonder - the more you try to ‘’solve” the sum, the distant you are from the destination… And seeing that you have used four differnt colors for the fonts in this post, you are a creative artist too 
I am smiling
The painting is more visible now 
Can I make some more observations? 
:) I see that the painting is actually a collection of paintings… There are three clearly visible parts - one the horizontal bar alone, another with the red-cap and neck-tie girl, and the third with third with 5 faces. While there is innocence on all faces, the two red cap girls (none of the women in the paintings looks ”old” enough to be called one:) are really differerent in the way they have been drawn, see their different noses and the background which is red and black - as if a curtain or a background screen. But their very-very long caps are distinct - as if they are made as ”dolls”… Enough? 
Regards, (Rahul)
Yes, dear Prachi, variations in interpretations would always be in any good art form created and perceived by any being. Just look at His magnificent Art. So many perceptions, so many variations in interpretations. Anything we perceive through our senses has to have variation since sensory delights differ from person to person. In fact, in the same person, under different moods and different stages of growth, different perceptions do occur. As many minds as many variations. Only they can perceive the real Beauty and Splendor of His Art who look at It from His eyes..:))) That lies beyond the realm of reason. As you rightly say, the true joy in any art comes when both the artist and the audience merge and become one, resonate and expand giving rise to endless possibilities. Sounds divine naa? That’’s why art is closest way of experiencing and expressing the divine. Loves.:)))
well.. Pra.. you two are beyond my level of I.Q. i read it all the way down.. and since i no nothing abt Art of painting (especially abstract!), i will keep my stupid mouth shut.. :)) will come back later to read how others commented…