This piece of art is actually an album cover for Down in the Weeds Where the World Once Was by Bright Eyes. The creator is graphic designer Zack Nipper who works for Saddle Creek Records and is a Grammy award-winning artist for another Bright Eyes album cover. This artwork was designed in Omaha, Nebraska (Flavorwire, 2011) in 2017.
I have always loved art in relation to music. Bright Eyes is a very artistic and unique band, and their album art typically reflects the mood of the music. I chose this work because I've read many interpretations of it, and it has made me feel different emotions almost every time I look at it. The art elements which stand out to me the most in this piece are lines, pattern, and color.
All of the lines in this artwork are curved, which suggests comfort. The body silhouettes floating down into the circle are curved and arranged in a somewhat wispy manner, which to me pulls an easy, drifting feeling. The thin upward shooting lines also have a curved, and free-hand style to them. They remind me of thin hair, soft and protective. The circular lines in which the bodies seem to be floating into are a little jagged as well as curved and this gives me a contrasting emotion, like nervousness or uncertainty of what that circle actually represents. Is it the end or the beginning? Could it possibly be both?
The patterns of the bodies and lines are repetitive. I wrote earlier that the hair had a protective quality to it, and I see that reflective in the pattern as well. The lines shoot up from the bottom to meet with the sky and guide the bodies into the circle. The bodies themselves, while not identical, all have the same relaxed positioning to them. This elicits a feeling of acceptance and calmness. In an interview with the band, the lead singer Connor Oberst describes how the album artist Zack Nipper cut the paper figures, or bodies, out and placed them on a metal spinner to achieve the tornado-like pattern (Lemmon, 2020). Nipper prefers to work with his hands, foregoing computer software for design which I think makes his work more tangible.
The colors are bold and contrast against the black background. I have been told the circle reminds some people of the circles of hell, and the bodies are being sucked into it. While I can see with the color choices that this is similar to fire, I do not necessarily feel the same way. To me, the bodies look like souls, blue representing purer in spirit, while red represents sinners. The title of the album though sparks the idea that they are not being pulled into hell, but rather back to the beginning of life, or "...where the world once was". All of them, regardless of color, are being pulled into the same fate. The bright white center of the circle is reminiscent of "going into the light" when death is upon you. What happens next is what is feared, and I believe the artist did a good job of keeping the tone warm and inviting while also adding in those small nervous lines within the circle to suggest even he doesn't know what is coming next.
Bibliography:
Flavorwire Staff, September 2011, 10 Album Cover Artists You Should Know (flavorwire.com)
Kyle Lemmon, August 2020, Interview: Bright Eyes on Down in the Weeds, Their Omaha Memories, & Mentorship - Slant Magazine
Kayla, I like and agree with the detailed way you described the lines with this piece of art. The lines also made me think of vines, or rope, almost as if the image is displayed upside down and the bodies are falling out. At first glance, I couldn't tell the floating things were bodies, and I at first thought possibly hands, but looked closer and didn't see that. Personally, the contrast of color between the light colored bodies and the red colored bodies conveyed peace, to worry and fear as they fall into the pit of red. I can see your ideas though, interesting take. I also noticed the shading within the black background, creating some tone, I believe is the right word.
ReplyDeleteHey Kayla,
ReplyDeleteI thought it was very cool that you picked an album cover. Just by looking at the cover I can feel that this piece is trying to express deep feelings. I also enjoy the art you chose, it’s something different because it’s an album cover so in a sense it has to represent the music being played. I really enjoyed reading your opinion of what the art represents. This photo can definitely be interpreted in different ways. The lines are a big part of this artwork, the symmetry and balance between the people falling in or out of the circular flame blends nicely with the lines and really pops because of the dark background.
Hey Kayla, I think your perspective of art in relation to music is very interesting. I now want to listen to this album to see if what I hear makes me think of this piece of art. I think you choose great elements to point out, the lines, colors, and patterns do truly make up this whole piece of art. I like and agree with your detailed descriptions of each element. You did a good job and I really like the unique perspective you brought to the table.
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