Analysis Of Stadia 2 By Julie Mehretu

Stadia II is a work of art that was created by Julie Mehretu in 2004. The medium of the work presented is ink and acrylic and was put together on canvas. It measures to 108x144 inches and is an example of nonrepresentational art. Therefore there is no specific subject, but there is room for interpretation that is left up to the audience observing the piece. The work possesses various elements of art that contribute to the composition of the work. For instance, color is a major element that is present. There are hues in the piece are many from the color spectrum such as orange, yellow, green, blue, and violent, key colors chosen for this piece. In other words, the art piece is polychromatic. There are also variations of geometric shapes and

lines distributed in no specific pattern. They range from circles and triangles all the way down to rhombuses and dots. There is no rough texture due to its lack of being a three dimensional piece. The shapes are placed all throughout the piece. There is no empty space in Stadia II, although this piece is nonrepresentational, there are great amounts of room for the audience to interpret what the work of art represents to them, according to their interests, views or beliefs. Every element of art that was chosen for this piece was done so purposely by the artist. Julie Mehretu uses the elements to set up what is known as the principles of design.
The principles of design are used to enhance and enforce the purpose of an art piece.

In Stadia II, Julie Mehretu uses various principles of design. For instance, there is an essence of chaos when observing the work. This is present because, the way in which the geometric shapes are placed out, an atmosphere that portrays commotion is created. The artist creates variety through the various shapes and colors that are used. And although the work demonstrates chaos, there is also an essence of balance. There is a spiral going upward through the chaos which brings an emphasis on the center of the piece, drawing attention to a focal point or toward an underlying purpose. Furthermore, he geometric shapes are not organized through pattern because they are not arranged in repeating organized vertical spacing. On the contrary, there are no patterns, but still a sense of rhythm. Unity, or gestalt, is depicted through this geometric rhythm. These geometric shapes create an outline, also seen as blueprints, under all of the ecstatic

colors.
Because this piece is nonrepresentational, I as the observer have much room left to interpretation.

However, many views can be taken on this piece. For instance, there may be more symbolism in certain symbols to some portions of the audience. These may be mixed along the various geometric shapes in the work. According to further context, Mehretu built her piece from multiple layers of figure. The dynamism of the work made reference to traffic patterns, wind and water currents, migrations, bordering crossings and travel. When this is realized, there are new interpretations that can be formed. For instance, this can target major issues in America. There is also the dynamic red “X” that may not seem to be evident at first, but is located and found at the top edge. This represents and establishes references to Russian constructivist and the Bauhaus movements circa, the early twentieth century. Seen by many others as a work of political and historical purpose, it places a stop in the era of modernism. There are variations of interpretations that would be taken into account by historians or others when analyzing this piece, but this work of art has a different meaning to me. When I first saw this work, I was interested to find out what date the work was created. The geometric style of the work made me realize the modernist style of work. Although the name Stadia II, I did not see anything related to a stadium; on the contrary, this work of art reminded me of a grand theater or

an extravagant opera house. What I viewed as chaos and commotion represents a symbol of the very loud music that is created in these sorts of artistic theaters. There are also blueprints. This also goes through a deeper meaning for me. As stated before, this piece represents a place of the arts to me. Coming from an artistic background, through dance, I can tie this to recent happenings in my life. I have run into numerous issues as being the president of the dance team. These obstacles that I have, and am still finding my way to climb over, are an example of the chaos that I have experienced in my life. This is similar to how I view the layout of all of the geometric figures, as a loud, yet enjoyable, fun, sometimes too much too handle, mad, but beautiful experience and creation.
The artwork is succesful in my opinion, but it is not what I view as my interest or focal point in regards to my favorite types of art. In my persective I give great credit to sucessful artists. One may ask how that is defined? To this I say that ones in which I believe are defined as successful based on the audineces’ definiton of success. Although appreciated, I can not classify it under what I view as successful pieces of art. Julie Mehretu’s painting holds great quality, therefore it can be said it can have some value in the market if it is well advertised and the audience understands and appreciates the quality and work put into the canvas. I would not want to purchase this if I had the opportunity to do so. Even though it may have great value to some people it does not have value to me. Stadia II shows originality and modernism which enforces its funtion of the painting, which is political and historical. In conclusion, I find the piece successful do to various aspects.