The Themes Of Kafkaesque Art

By Miranda Sweeney


There are certain writers that are widely read and reread. Their works resound with us to the extent that their names are made into adjectives and used to describe concepts, events and art forms. Franz Kafka was a writer like this and Kafkaesque art reflects qualities found in his works such as alienation and situations that are surreal and yet affect us intimately.

There was a tension in the works of Kafka that is found in much of the work of modern artists. He was able to combine a sense of yearning with futility and impossibility. He was a writer but he used to draw as well and many of his doodles expressed the same angst found in his writing. His stark drawings often grace the covers of his books.

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.

Metamorphosis is a work of Kafka that has a great influence. It deals with the possibility of transmogrifying from one form to another. When a human being is changed into a large insect, he faces various conflicts. We inevitably start to think about change and our own identity. This kind of thought stimulates artistic expression. We see paintings where humans are depicted as insects and others wear insects have human qualities.

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.

Another element that has the same kind of effect is the use of ambiguity. Kafka was a master at using ambiguity in the way he manipulated language. Readers of his work are faced by this ambiguity all the time. In the same way, paintings can also be ambiguous. They may be interpreted by the viewers in different ways and the viewer needs to carefully search for hidden messages.

The themes found in the works of Kafka have infiltrated into so many areas of our modern world. Photographers, artists, musicians and even game players have found inspiration in his works, whether directly or indirectly. The themes of struggle, despair, isolation, yearning and absurdity are all presented in different ways by these artists but the central concepts are the same.

One of the most important aspects of works like this, whatever form they come in, is that they force us to face the complexities and ambiguities of our world. This is a world where we often do not have answers and things are often not clear. Such works help us to live with the complexities of our modern existence. Works like this are available for purchase online.




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