Pulp Fiction

(via stfumadison)

Loved the show and his little introduction in the beginning! 

Picture Source: http://www.brooksschoolphotos.com/2010-2011/Student-Life/RLAC-Pulp-Fiction-Exhibition/16491394_PzRdf#1244305885_aadKT 

I found it really neat to see both the actual piece of artwork, and the comic magazine with the printed element on the cover! 

Picture source: http://www.brooksschoolphotos.com/2010-2011/Student-Life/RLAC-Pulp-Fiction-Exhibition/16491394_PzRdf#1244305885_aadKT

He definitely proved himself a true collector!! :) 

Picture Source: http://www.brooksschoolphotos.com/2010-2011/Student-Life/RLAC-Pulp-Fiction-Exhibition/16491394_PzRdf#1244305909_Pv28D 

This assignment asks you to do a Tumblr (or website equivalent) page inspired by the work you see at the Pulp Fiction presentation at the Leman Gallery. We will approach this project on three levels.

1.) Tweet 5 times (At least 3 original and at least 1 response to others; please include the hashtag #pulp somewhere in each tweet.) while viewing the show. A good time to do this will be at the opening, Thursday, April 6 at 6:30, when Robert Lesser speaks about his collection in the Science forum. There is a reception afterwards at the Leman. You can do this part of it at any time though, the show is open to viewing.  Due: Monday, April 14

2.) In your Evernote notebook, use words, pictures, audio notes (any or all - its up to you) to do a audio visual stream of consciousness inspired by the show. Due Monday, April 14

3.) Do a Tumblr Page that expresses your inspiration in a form you find appealing. The page will probably include pictures or parts of pictures from the show but will also have material you find compelling or relevant from the web. 

This project should go in a direction that inspires you. Take some chances. Have fun with the topic. Enjoy the ride. If some aspect of it stresses you out, let’s hash out how to solve that problem creatively. Be sure to use each other as resources. Want to collaborate on the Tumblr page? With people from other classes or grades? Sell me on it. Be comfortable sharing resources, knowledge and ideas.   

A  ”The Feeble Pitiful Female”

  A damsel in distress? Ah yes, the reoccurring themes of violence, fear, hurt, danger, and. These all appear in the vibrant, detailed artwork known as pulp fiction. Each piece tells a story through the character’s facial expression, or usually by an extreme situation in which they are placed. The victor, the villain, and the victim all play a huge role in the art, as well as the concepts of what is going on. Robert Lesser, the witty collector, certainly proved himself a true fan of the pulp fiction genre, knowing the general back round and history. He also brought up the “three v’s” factor. He stated that every pulp work contained a victim, a victor, or a villain. This seems reasonably true seeing as there is always a man putting a woman in danger, or one helping the woman. On this note, I found it incredibly cheesy and awkward to see a woman in such distress to not even try to help her self, but in need to help for a male. Most pulp art pictures dealt with woman being used as bait or in danger, while the men play the role of the big savior or villain. Being a member of “the female tribe”, I saw these as pitiful acts sort of ridiculous because in our world today, women are more independent, strong, and they strive to do well. We’re not the pathetic, helpless, feeble victims as depicted in pictures (A). I mean I guess it’s understandable to have a woman in danger, rather then a man, because ladies can demonstrate a sense of danger or distress far more effectively, then a man in trouble. If a man was depicted in trouble, then the viewer most likely sees him as a fool, or a coward. This is most likely because the male figure is always personified as the strong prominent being, not like the woman, who can never defend herself.  It all has some reason, however, in reality women prove it all to be far-fetched; defending themselves, playing sports, acting as strong role models in the profession world, and being free of the patriarchal society.           

   As overdone as this theme is, I did find it interesting to hear how an artist could put so much detail into one piece to be put in front of the middle / lower classes’ weekly reading magazine.  I almost wish I asked him whether or not it was more common to find men or women read these, but there may have not been a clear answer seeing as how many people didn’t even want such “dirty, grotesque, disturbing” pieces of artwork or books in their homes. Yet, would the images of women being saved by strong manly men attract the views of helpless romantics of the women group? Or better yet, the men could have been pulled in by the helpless women wearing clothing that was practically falling off their figures. It’s pretty apparent that this was their version of the modern playboy magazine, but theirs had just a hint of it hidden within the faces and situation, as shown in pictures (B).        

     Including the barely dressed women, many of the pulp fiction art cover types were made to make men interested in reading it’s pages. For example, battle airplanes (C), and superheroes (D) were also constant themes in this pulp fiction art. It brings me back to how deeply detailed each piece of work was; and only to be on the cover of a magazine made of pulp paper costing 10 cents! One of my favorite pieces was “Hollywood Detective: Dress Rehearsal” by Hugh J. Ward. (E) This displays a woman ringmaster being held back as she tries to stop the villain from shooting the puppet master out in the ring. I find it so ironic because the hero and the victim (the woman) are in danger. If the puppet master moves and runs, he will create a scene in front of the whole audience, and if he doesn’t move, then the man with the gun will create a scene anyways. This surely contains the three V’s as explained before, being a good example of pulp art.    

Overall, Lesser’s charming collection surely caught my attention and brought up many different subjects dealing with pulp art.

B “For Adults”

C “Battle of planes”

D “Heroes”

E Hugh J. Ward, Hollywood Detective: Death’s Dress Rehearsal. Oil on canvas 47” x 28” (framed), 1943. 

Tweets! :D