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The Themes Of Kafkaesque Art

By Miranda Sweeney


Some writers strike a chord universally and their works have a lasting effect on humans and society. Franz Kafka wrote works that are still widely read today and his name is now used as an expressive adjective in language. A bizarre, surreal situation with a sense of unease and potential danger and yet with which people can identify is when this type of adjective is used. Kafkaesque art is art that fits this description.

His works often have an almost dangerous quality and disorientating complexity. Despite a sense of futility and impossibility, there is also a sense of yearning. Kafka used to create doodles that reflected the same tension as his writing. Many of these drawings have been used on his book covers.

His stories are dark and yet humanity manages to identify deeply with them. The strong and absurd images, such as a man becoming an enormous insect or an artist starving in a cage have inspired the imagery expressed by many artists today. The menace of an image like a giant machine used for capital punishment and its implications has also sparked other artistic expression like this.

The notion of life transmuting from one form or identity to another is found in a work called Metamorphosis. A human finds himself changed into a large insect. This story makes us think deeply about our own identity and what we consider to be stable or fixed. Thinking like this helps artists to create innovative artworks. People are depicted as insects or as being machine-like. Insects are shown with human qualities. This creates an unease and a sense of uncertainty as well as of potential danger.

Symbolism is important in any art and the work of Kafka is filled with it. For example, a cage symbolizes entrapment, alienation and isolation from others. The use of symbolism introduces mystery and offers the possibility of different interpretations. Those who enjoy this type of artistic expression are required to use their own imaginations to interpret what is represented.

Ambiguity or double meanings are another way to introduce suspense and uncertainty. Kafka was brilliant at manipulating language to introduce ambiguity. Paintings of this nature have the same ambiguity and one can look at them time and time again to try and decipher hidden meanings.

There are so many different art forms that have been inspired by the concepts, imagery and symbolism of Kafka. Artists, musicians, dancers and photographers have all interpreted his vision and even expanded on his ideas. Even computer games owe some of their surreal qualities and presentments of danger to the influence of writers like Kafka.

The complexity of the works of Kafka invites us as readers to actively participate in interpreting them. His ambiguity, symbolism and the fact that he does not present answers is something we can relate to in a world that often does not have any answers for us. Whatever art form it takes, this type of expression forces us out of complacent viewing and makes us active participants in the search for meaning.




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