AR3: Michael Bartalos

       

Michael Bartalos - "Capoeira Do Brasil"

            While going through the Center for the Book Arts website, I came across a piece by Michael Bartalos titled “Capoeira Do Brasil”. It’s a double-sided, three-color, letterpress printed postcard, depicting two skeletal figures dancing with human-figure shadows.  The color intensity and interactions drew my attention immediately; it places the two figures in a spotlight as they seem to be surrounded by plants and shrubs. At the same time the spotlight reveals the human intention about capoeira. Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that was invented during the time of slavery in Brazil. The slaves would pretend they where dancing but were secretly teaching each other how to defend themselves while masking the techniques in a dance form. The spotlight revealing the scene also depicts life and death, referencing the possible fate these figures could face.

            In order for one to understand the illustration they need to have some knowledge of the Brazilian culture. The history this postcard teaches us can serve as a reminder of freedom and independence, and the struggles of the Brazilian ancestors. Someone with little understanding of the culture would approach Bartalos work in a familial aspect. People usually associate dancing with a celebration, either to appease gods or to celebrate life. If it weren’t for the title I would have taken the usual approach to Bartalos piece; that one word “Capoeira” directed my focus in a big way.

            Bartalos executes his settings directly and they can either accent a meaning in a playful way (“Concerto de Toros”) or create awareness and understanding (“CalAcademy Earthquake”).  His approach to awareness spans various cultures, and can allow for viewers to develop a sort of visual road map. Bartalos enables this through the use of bold contrasting colors, and basic shapes, which creates universal symbols as seen in “CalAcademy Earthquake”.

Michael Bartalos - "CalAcademy Earthquake"                         Michael Bartalos - "Concerto de Toros"

The Center for Book Arts - Michael Bartalos
Bartalos Official Website
Bartalos Illustration