Chaos of Life

On the day said of The Tilled Field there is chaos. Bright colors consume the canvas, capturing my eye. There is action throughout the daytime side. Animals are moving to and fro, crowding around the tree. Not only is there action in the foreground around the tree, but in the back. A woman attempts to move a tree, while smoke is coming from the house’s chimney. Chaos exists in the action, but also in the absurd characteristics of once real items: a tree with an ear, a half cow-half horse. Míro exhibits much of his past throughout his artwork, and in this work, the chaos of his life unfolds.

Born to parents in Barcelona, Spain, Míro began his life on an area of land resembling that of this farm; this farm may be seen in this piece of artwork. As he progressed forward in his life, Míro’s passion for art grew, and he realized that art was his true calling. While his parents had other ideas for his life, he put his feet in two doors – that of business as well as art. However, in the end, he prevailed, choosing art has his career. Likewise, this picture is presented in two contrasting sides: dark and light, with light overpowering dark – more light exists; it wins. Similarly, art won out. He did not choose business. Though business, or the dark of the painting, seems serene and picturesque, it is the art, or light, that Míro sought after.

As mentioned in a previous post, Míro wove his life into his artwork. However, he also incorporated styles of the time such as surrealism and cubism to aid in his portrayal of his chaotic life. His picture, integrates things he has come into contact with as well as past experiences. At the beginning of his artistic career, Míro moved to Paris. Ties with France are easily noted throughout this picture. The word “jour” is printed on the dayside, which is literally translated “day” in French. As well, the French flag is flown within the picture.

Throughout this of art, The Tilled Filled, chaos consumes the canvas. This chaos directly correlates with chaos that Míro experienced within his lifetime. Míro, living in Paris at the time, was prevented from traveling to his homeland of Spain because of civil war. Withheld from his own home, Míro’s life experienced uncertainty and many unforeseen events.

Within his piece, The Tilled Field, this uncertainty and chaos exist. There is confusion throughout. Míro incorporated the two movements he came into contact with within this painting as well: surrealism and cubism. He utilizes sharp edges and blocked objects to create unrealistic creatures, thus interweaving the two movements, generating bizarre animals. What are the animals? You can’t decide with assurance. There is a half cow, half horse - a cat with needles of a porcupine. A fish is on dry land, an ear coming out of a tree, a lizard and snail being “friends.” Míro does a superb job in creating a reality that is completely absurd, creating chaos from the unknown.

However, one thing within the picture remains normal, non-chaotic. This one thing is the house in the background. This house is not attributed any odd qualities. It is merely a normal residence. Míro dreamt of a gallery as well a nice house; it was a goal he strove for. Therefore, it follows that this is the one thing that remains standard; it is dream. It cannot be distorted by reality and the turmoil of everyday life.

Míro’s piece of art, The Tilled Field, is one of absolute disorder and confusion. He utilizes elements stemming from two specific movements, cubism and surrealism, in order to create this bedlam. This chaos reflects back on Míro’s personal life and how disorderly it was; the chaos of Míro’s life is mirrored through his artwork.