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MailOnline, UK
November 8, 2013 Friday 6:29 PM GMT
A very modern Madonna and Child: Iconic image gets a revamp with
touching moment interrupted by an iPhone
by: SADIE WHITELOCKS
The classic Madonna and Child portrait has been given a modern-day makeover.
Artist Tigran Tsitoghdzyan, who was born in the Christian-centric city
of Yerevan, Armenia, and is now based in New York, used oil paint to
recreate two versions of the iconic image with several contemporary
touches.
In one scene, which is lit by electric bulb as opposed to natural
light, the 'Madonna' appears with dyed blonde hair and denim jeans,
and, instead of investing attention in her 'Child', her eyes are glued
to an iPhone.
The baby is seen staring off into the distance - demonstrating a clear
disconnect between him and his 'occupied' mother.
In the second scene, which is set up in a similar way, the cell phone
remains the center of focus, but this time the baby clutches a plastic
bottle of juice.
In early depictions of the painting, also known as The Virgin and
Child, the infant is more usually seen being breastfed or lovingly
cradled by his mother.
Mr Tsitoghdzyan, 37, said he created the works of art to expose 'the
identity of contemporary man in the era of cultural globalization,
technological revolution and biological distortion.'
He added: 'The old, the new are getting closer and closer to each
other, the information flow squeeze up the time.
'I'm interested to take very casual scenes and add a iconic gesture,
combining it with old masters layered oil technique.'
For over a thousand years, through the Byzantine, Medieval and Early
Renaissance periods the Madonna and Child was the most often produced
pictorial artwork.
Many examples, both painted and sculptured, have achieved fame, either
as objects of religious veneration or for their intrinsic artistic
qualities.
The most renowned painters and sculptors who have turned their skills
toward the creation of the image include Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Raphael, Giovanni Bellini, Caravaggio, Rubens, Salvador
Dalí and Henry Moore.
Many have applauded Mr Tsitoghdzyan's representations.
One commentator wrote: 'This is hilarious and awesome!'
And another added: 'Says everything in a nut shell!'
From: Baghdasarian
November 8, 2013 Friday 6:29 PM GMT
A very modern Madonna and Child: Iconic image gets a revamp with
touching moment interrupted by an iPhone
by: SADIE WHITELOCKS
The classic Madonna and Child portrait has been given a modern-day makeover.
Artist Tigran Tsitoghdzyan, who was born in the Christian-centric city
of Yerevan, Armenia, and is now based in New York, used oil paint to
recreate two versions of the iconic image with several contemporary
touches.
In one scene, which is lit by electric bulb as opposed to natural
light, the 'Madonna' appears with dyed blonde hair and denim jeans,
and, instead of investing attention in her 'Child', her eyes are glued
to an iPhone.
The baby is seen staring off into the distance - demonstrating a clear
disconnect between him and his 'occupied' mother.
In the second scene, which is set up in a similar way, the cell phone
remains the center of focus, but this time the baby clutches a plastic
bottle of juice.
In early depictions of the painting, also known as The Virgin and
Child, the infant is more usually seen being breastfed or lovingly
cradled by his mother.
Mr Tsitoghdzyan, 37, said he created the works of art to expose 'the
identity of contemporary man in the era of cultural globalization,
technological revolution and biological distortion.'
He added: 'The old, the new are getting closer and closer to each
other, the information flow squeeze up the time.
'I'm interested to take very casual scenes and add a iconic gesture,
combining it with old masters layered oil technique.'
For over a thousand years, through the Byzantine, Medieval and Early
Renaissance periods the Madonna and Child was the most often produced
pictorial artwork.
Many examples, both painted and sculptured, have achieved fame, either
as objects of religious veneration or for their intrinsic artistic
qualities.
The most renowned painters and sculptors who have turned their skills
toward the creation of the image include Leonardo da Vinci,
Michelangelo, Raphael, Giovanni Bellini, Caravaggio, Rubens, Salvador
Dalí and Henry Moore.
Many have applauded Mr Tsitoghdzyan's representations.
One commentator wrote: 'This is hilarious and awesome!'
And another added: 'Says everything in a nut shell!'
From: Baghdasarian