Friday, July 25, 2014

The Nature Of Kafkaesque Art

By Miranda Sweeney


When writers affect us deeply, it is no wonder that their names are adopted and made into adjectives as part of our language. Franz Kafka is one of these writers and the adjective used in this one-world slogan devised from his name basically describes a strongly surreal situation and yet one to which people can relate. His works are widely read and their quintessential qualities have infiltrated not only into our language usage but into many avenues of artistic expression, Kafkaesque art being one of these.

His works often have an almost dangerous quality and disorientating complexity. Despite a sense of futility and impossibility, there is also a sense of yearning. Kafka used to create doodles that reflected the same tension as his writing. Many of these drawings have been used on his book covers.

Kafka uses dark imagery and absurdity in his works. Whether it is an artist who starves himself, a man transformed into a large insect, or a giant machine used as a device for capital punishment by the military, these images have provided the spark for many paintings and photographs. They reflect the anxiety of man in a dehumanized world and the alienation of individuals.

Metamorphosis is a work of Kafka that has a great influence. It deals with the possibility of transmogrifying from one form to another. When a human being is changed into a large insect, he faces various conflicts. We inevitably start to think about change and our own identity. This kind of thought stimulates artistic expression. We see paintings where humans are depicted as insects and others wear insects have human qualities.

The stories of Kafka are filled with symbolism. The symbolism often lies in the material objects placed in the narrative. In one of his stories, for example, the cage in which the hunger artist performs, is symbolic of his alienation from society. This is another reason why so many readers re-read his stories multiple times and have various interpretations. The same applies to artworks of this nature. They allow viewers to use their own imagination in interpreting them.

Ambiguity or double meanings are another way to introduce suspense and uncertainty. Kafka was brilliant at manipulating language to introduce ambiguity. Paintings of this nature have the same ambiguity and one can look at them time and time again to try and decipher hidden meanings.

Many forms of art from music to photography have found inspiration in the works of Kafka. Struggle, isolation, despair and absurdity are all themes that have translated into other art forms. Even some computer games are considered Kafkaesque in vision.

The complexity of the works of Kafka invites us as readers to actively participate in interpreting them. His ambiguity, symbolism and the fact that he does not present answers is something we can relate to in a world that often does not have any answers for us. Whatever art form it takes, this type of expression forces us out of complacent viewing and makes us active participants in the search for meaning.




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