Escher Alchemy

Introduction

M. C. Escher: One guy whose works defy science. He is known for his woodcuts, lithographs, and mezzotints. These feature impossible constructions, explorations of infinity, architecture, and tessellations. One example would be Reptiles (1943)--of which a picture of it is shown below. Impossible construction: the lizards depicted in the artwork come to life from a drawing and start moving about. Exploration of infinity: The lizards merge back into the drawing after going in a circle across the workspace depicted in the artwork--a cycle has no end. Tessellation: The drawing of several hexagonal-based reptiles and origins of the moving lizards. 

Analysis

In this artwork, M. C. Escher has clearly used several elements and principles of art and design. First of all, by using lines, he marks out the rough geometric shape of lizards in his tessellation. The main subject matter of the artwork also contains the implications of a circle. This is achieved by positioning the lizards in a circular orientation and using their bodies to suggest the shape of a circle. The way the lizards are positioned, as well as having them merge in and grow out of the tessellation, gives them a sense of movement, making them seem like they are moving across the table top, up and down the items displayed there. Much of the artwork seems three-dimensional, an effect achieved by the realistic proportion of the items depicted in the lithograph as well as the shading and use of chiaroscuro to give the artwork solidity, depth and value. By using the slant of the sketchbook (the one the lizard tessellation is drawn on), the circular motion of the reptiles and the various items decorating the tabletop, Escher was also able to create balance and a sense of equilibrium in his artwork.

This artwork is in black, gray and white, which gives the art piece a certain dream-like, surreal and mysterious feel. It also suggests a sense of antiquity as it isn't colored, like the photographs and films of earlier centuries. Other than making the artwork seem more angular, the books, the set square, the dodecahedron, the box in the metal cup and the tessellation gives the idea of alchemy in the art work. The presence of a corked bottle and a small glass also contributes to that effect, as well as complementing the angular nature of the other items. The surreality of the artwork can be seen through the very fact that the lizards are coming to life from a drawing and that one of the lizards seem to be blowing smoke from its nostrils--something that cannot be achieved in real life. The animated reptiles also reminds one of golems of myths and fantasy. Another idea that the artwork seems to suggest is that of reincarnation and a cycle of life, death and rebirth, as shown when the lizards first come to life and move out of the drawing, only to merge back into the drawing as an inanimate, two-dimensional creature.

Comparison

Below is an image of a painting done by an artist called Kurt Wenner. He is best known for his invention of 3D pavement art. Wenner was inspired by anamorphic perspective, but had to invent an entirely new geometry in order to create his astonishing 3D pavement art images. The art work depicted below is one of his many creations. 

Dies Irae (2005)

He created this piece of street art on the pavement of a medieval town square in Italy with chalk. The artwork above is from a poem called "Dies Irae" which discusses judgment day for all in front of God.  This art piece incredibly captures the emotion and despair of those doomed to the underworld. This work is one of many of Wenner's interest in Renaissance classicism interpretation. Similar to Escher's art, there is a vague sense of movement in the art as the figures depicted in the artwork seem to be struggling in agony. The figures depicted in the artwork also contains an illusion of the subject matter coming to life from the artwork as they seem three-dimensional. This effect can only be properly seen when the viewer is looking at the art piece from this particular point of view, however. If one walks around the art piece, the illusion would no longer exist. There is also a surrealistic and mystical feel to the artwork due to its subject matter and color, just like that of Escher, as well as a strange yet seemingly normal perspective. Both artists have chosen to depict their artwork as realistically as possible so that its strangeness can be emphasized. However, Wenner's work is two-dimensional but seems three-dimensional, whereas Escher's is a two-dimensional piece of art about something two-dimenisional becoming three-dimensional. Their subject matter is also different but both seem to have have mythical origins.


Below is a video of Escher's Reptiles.