essay

The representation through these pieces are both shown using the

media of textiles. The pieces I have chosen are Meret Oppenheim,

Object made in 1936 and Louise Bourgeious, Woven Chid made in

2002.

Both pieces represent the reusable factors of life. Oppenheims object is

a cup covered in fur, Cups are reusable objects that can be used over

and over again. Likewise to this Bourgeious Woven Child is the female

form which can be used as a container for children representing the

womb, as reusable container of life.

Oppenheims fur cup looks delicate and well crafted with Chinese

gazelle fur. Even though it is thick with fur you can still see the shape

and how well it is put together. The cup may look complex in design

but it was made by covering a cup, saucer and spoon in fur.

However, Bourgeois, Woven Child is a less complicated piece, message

is very visual and obvious. The message Is mostly in the title which

represents the connection between mother and child or connection

with family. The transparent material shows the child at full form

very tightly held in the womb, the body image of the child makes the

message stronger with the connection of family and containing a

human being.

On the other hand Woven child is a light coloured pieces fresh and

clean, these colours may refer to the child being her first and how she

was pure before getting pregnant. But, the womb of the woman is a

dark blue transparent fabric which could mean that she is sad about

becoming a mother or how the child isn’t wanted.

Oppenheim cups meaning is about the fur trade and the element of

un-needed killing to symbolise your wealth. For example a cup doesn’t

need to be covered by the fur but the designer feels the need to catch

the eye of the admirer and make it stand out. The colouring of the

Chinese gazelle fur also has a meaning of higher class with a royal

golden yellow, symbolising the character that would buy or wear the

fur in the community. The spoon in this piece is unusually wide this

could mean the many ways it is used in fashion in daily use. Also

showing it in a new form shows the ridiculous ways it is used when

there is no point or advantage to killing an animal to get fur.

Woven Child refers to family life as a natural bond by using “woven,” in

the title with is a way of weaving natural fabrics together and joining

people together in life. However, not every bond is wanted and even

though it may be natural it can be what you don’t want.

Altogether, both pieces share the idea of unwanted or not needed

natural objects. Fur is a natural object but it doesn’t belong with a cup

and saucer, a baby doesn’t necessarily belong when it isn’t wanted.

Also both pieces represent the reuses of life and creating new objects

out of older or more used versions.