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| Voices in the Park |
Begin by considering the format of the images and their placement in the picturebook
1. Where is the text located? Within the image? Separated by borders or white space, Why?
The text box is located on the right side of each image separated by white space. I believe the interplay between the text and image is meant to have a clear separation when the reader is reading the page. They can look back and forth between the moving image and the text. This also gives a very clean appearance. Although the mother's images are bordered and the father's are a "full bleed", the text is not muddled amongst the scenery.
2. Are the illustrations double page spreads, single page images, collages, overlapping images, or portraits?
The illustrations are portraits. Some of the images are framed while others are "full bleed" but they do not intrude into the text box.
3. Consider the series of images in the picturebook. Do the images change over the course of the book? Do they get bigger, smaller, change?
The images do change with the mood or perspective of the storyteller. Moods are represented by seasons. The artwork also changes between Impressionistic and Surrealistic art depending on the mood of the character. Some images move more than others, as well. The dogs move more smoothly as they run across the images. The mother moves in jerk or leap like movements.
Select an image from Voices In The Park to consider. Use the following questions to guide your analysis. Take a Screen Shot of the Image and embed the image in your blog.
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| Voices in the Park |
1. What is fore-grounded and in the background?
The fore-ground is a picture of the young boy and girl. The background on the young boy's side is dark and storm-like which reflects his mood. The background on the young girl's side is much lighter with sunny skies which reflects her mood.
2. Consider the path your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye first? Why is that element salient?
The dogs chasing each other in the background and the moving bicyclers catch my eyes first simply because they are part of a moving picture.
3. What colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader?
The image is split. The boy's dark mood and the girl's light mood dictate the colors. The reader gets an immediate peek for how each child is feeling at that moment. Which is essential to the story later on in which the girl finally gets the boy to come out of his "shell" just in time for him to have to go home.
4. Consider the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed? How does this position you as a viewer?
The image is framed while the text box is separated into white space. The viewer has to choose what to look at first. Since I prefer to look at the left side of an image first and I prefer visual images to text, I can make a choice as the reader to observe the image first. I like the fact the text box is separated. There is so much meaning in each image that muddling text into the visual effect would make interpreting the image much more difficult.
5. What is the reality value or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick figures?
The reality value of the characters is very life-like. However their mood changes the background which makes it abstract.
6. Are there any recurring patterns in the images?
Yes. His image is dark, dreary, storm-like and in the winter season. At the same time his face is drawn or sad looking. Everything within his view is meant to repeatedly explain that he is unsure of himself. Her image is sunny and the trees are full of life. It is summer on her side of the picture. She also has a smile on her face. Everything in her side of the repeatedly lets the reader know she is ready to have fun.
7. Are there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are these important to consider?
The dogs' story continues to play in the background as they chase each other. I believe this is an important element to remind the reader that different portions of the storyline continue throughout the theme even though the perspective is different. The bicyclers racing across the background remind the reader that the setting is in the park.
8. What is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors, contrast, gestures, lighting?
The artist is attempting to portray the dynamics between the two characters when they first meet by placing you in the mood they are initially in. Their separation as they look at each other are a stark difference. The artist wants the reader to note this.
9. Are there any recurring symbols or motifs in the images?
Yes; as I stated before the background coloring and season the trees are in symbolize the mood of the character at that moment.
10. Consider the style or artistic choices? Are they appropriate, and how do they add to the meanings of the picturebook?
The style and artistic choices are appropriate. Browne has a fantastic way of allowing the reader to step into the shoes of the character. He leaves little in the way of imagination for how the character feels. However, the character's feeling is full of imagination whether it is being represented as Impressionistic art or Surrealism art.
11. How are the images framed? Are there thick borders or faded edges?
The image is framed but it does not have a thick border. The image is framed by a very light, white picture-framish border. It gives the impression that the reader is looking into the story through a window.
12. Consider the setting of the story. How is this realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically?
There is a lot of metaphor within the image. Using the season winter on his side of the image gives the reader an idea of how he feels - depressed. In our culture we often connect winter as symbolism to death and depression. While the season summer on her side of the image gives the reader the feeling that she is vibrant and ready to play, which is also accurately represented within our culture.
13. Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control?
The characters the author is focusing on are the larger pictures placing the frame of reference on them in particular. The dog playing in the background are smaller because they are farther away, plus the artist wants you to remember they are still part of the story and continue their part in the background simultaneously. This does add meaning and power. The reader stays focused on the main characters at the time but does not forget the other characters.
14. Consider the viewers point of view. Do characters directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced? How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?
The characters are interacting with one another. They do not focus on the reader. The reader has more of a voyeuristic point of view much like peeking through a window. However, in this picture the main characters remain close to the reader. In future pictures they play in the background with the dogs placing them further away from the reader.
Citation
Browne, A. (1999). Voices in the park. Retrieved on June 28, 2014 from
http://research.kingston.ac.uk/booksalive/flash/book.html
Serafini, F. (2014). Reading the Visual: An introduction to teaching mulitmodal literacy. New York,
NY : Teachers College Press.
NY : Teachers College Press.
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