Cover Letter
“The sum of all parts” by Annette Messager and its message of the beauty of diversity and the importance of embracing it. While writing this paper I was thinking of some ways in which I could highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in society and bring light to the question of “What makes us human”. I tried to use John Berger’s book “Ways of Seeing” to connect how it challenges the notion of beauty and what makes us unique. It was crucial for me to bring awareness on how the artwork reflects the concerns of artists during the 1980s who were trying to connect individual experiences to broader social issues. I enjoyed writing this paper and learned a lot from it. Exploring and researching new topics can be a rewarding experience and this is one that was worth the extra mile to make it better and to improve myself as a writer.
Writing about art is a great way to learn about culture, society, and the human experience. It allows us to connect with the artist’s intent and better understand the historical and cultural contexts in which their work was created. Through research, we can get a better understanding of what led many amazing artists to come up with their ideas and be able to get a better understanding and grasp of what they wanted us to see through their art. Annette Messager is an amazing artist and her work led to many other artist fighting for those who were treated unfair, and her work led to society being more aware of many issues that needed to be addressed.
Embrace One Another.
Occasionally we might end up asking ourselves, “What makes us human?” Our bodies are what make us human. Our flesh and blood, our muscles and bones define us and who we are. The human body is a machine, a mass of flesh and bones that are used by humans to carry out their daily lives. The head is just a lump of matter that humans use to make decisions. The mouth is just a part that humans use to spew out meaningless words and sounds, while the nose is just a part that humans use to smell stuff in their daily lives. The ears are nothing but flaps of skin that humans use to listen to their favorite music and block out the noise of the world around them. The feet and hands are just a collection of bones and tendons that humans use to walk, run, and manipulate objects, nothing more than mere tools to make their lives easier. The work of art “The sum of all parts” by Annette Messager represents the beauty of what makes us human and how we are all beautiful. She does this by using different body parts from many diverse types of people to demonstrate that no matter how different we might be, we still share similarities and share the same traits.
You might ask yourself who is Annette Messager? She is a French artist who is best known for her media installations, and photographs. Her work often explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the body. She is also interested in the idea of collecting and categorizing objects, and her artwork often features found materials such as photographs, toys, and stuffed animals. Messager’s work has been exhibited throughout Europe and the United States, and she has received numerous awards and is recognized for her contributions to the contemporary art world. You might be asking yourself, “What inspired her work of art?” To answer your question, she was exploring identity and individuality. It was made to symbolize unity. Since her work of art represents the idea that despite our differences, we are all part of the same human family. By using body parts from different people, Messager emphasizes the idea of pure identity. Additionally, Messager’s artwork highlights the ongoing debates around diversity and inclusion in society. By featuring body parts from people of different ages, races, and genders, to show the importance of embracing diversity and being proud of our differences.
Ways of Seeing by John Berger explores how we see and interpret images. In the book, Berger discusses how images can be used to convey messages and ideas that are often hidden from plain view. The ideas presented in the book can be applied to Annette Messager’s artwork “The sum of all parts” to better understand the message she is conveying about what makes us human and the beauty of diversity. Berger argues that images are not just representations of reality but that they actively shape how we see the world around us. This idea can be applied to “The sum of all parts” as Messager’s use of body parts challenges the viewer’s perceptions of what makes us human. By using a collection of body parts from different people, Messager emphasizes that it is not just our individual body parts that define us but rather the sum of all our parts that makes us human.
In the book, chapter 1 states “We only see what we look at. To look is an act of choice” (Chapter 1, pg 7). In the case of “The sum of all parts,” Messager’s choice to display a collection of body parts challenges the viewer’s perception of what makes us human and emphasizes the diversity of human bodies. She did this to in a way bring life to the story under the surface which is that despite our differences we still are unique and special in many ways, and that we should love ourselves. Additionally, in chapter 3 it states “Publicity images create glamour. And glamour is a modern invention. Before capitalism, glamour was unknown… Glamour cannot exist without personal social envy being a common and widespread emotion” (Chapter 3, pg 47). In other words, Messager’s use of diverse body parts challenges the notion that certain body types or physical features are more valuable or desirable than others.
According to the MoMa website, they state “The relationship—and often misfit—between the individual and social and political structures was a central concern for artists around the world during the 1980s. Their work often touched on major public debates on pressing social issues, including the aids crisis, reproductive rights, and racism.” In other words, some of the people who were working in the gallery were trying to make connections between the personal experiences of individuals and the broader social issues that impact their communities. This can be seen in Annette Messager’s “The sum of all parts” where she uses different body parts from diverse individuals to demonstrate the beauty and similarities that exist despite differences in appearance. Similarly, she, like other artists of the 1980s, used their work as a way of expressing themselves and those who didn’t receive any recognition into a system that didn’t include them. This is a powerful example of how the human body can be used to explore issues of identity, representation, and social justice.
Another interesting paper written on Annette Messager’s work of art was by Jennifer Fisher. In her paper titled “Artificial Bodies: Annette Messager and the Cultural Construction of the Human Body” she wrote “Through the use of dismembered body parts in her artwork, Annette Messager challenges the viewer to reflect on the cultural and social constructions of the human body. She highlights the artificiality of the body as an object, often presenting it in a fragmented and distorted way that defies traditional notions of beauty and perfection. At the same time, Messager’s work emphasizes the bodily experiences and emotions that connect us all as human beings, regardless of our individual differences.” In other words, Jennifer Fisher is trying to explain how Annette Messager challenges the ideas of beauty and perfection by presenting the human body in a fragmented and distorted way. By doing so, she encourages viewers to reflect on the cultural and social constructions of the human body and its artificiality as an object. However, Messager’s work also emphasizes the shared experiences and emotions that connect us all as human beings, highlighting the universality of the human body beyond individual differences. This idea connects to “Annette Messager’s “The Sum of All Parts” written by Eileen Hsing-Yu Tu in which she states “Messager’s body fragments also question the common, idealized view of beauty, perfection, and totality, which ultimately questions the integrity of the human body as an object.” The article analyzes Messager’s artwork and her use of dismembered body parts to challenge traditional notions of beauty and perfection. In other words, this quote suggests that by presenting the body in a fragmented and distorted way, Messager raises questions about the integrity of the human body as an object and challenges the common idealized view of beauty and what makes us perfect.
For people to be able to recognize the hidden message behind her work they need to be able to recognize the historical significance of her work of art and be able to recognize what was going on during the time people while she was creating her work of art and put everything into consideration to be able to finally realize the high value of her art piece and be able to recognize that not many people did what she did. First you need to be able to understand the context of the 1980s art world, in which there was a growing concern with social and political issues, including the AIDS crisis and racism. Messager’s use of body parts and her use of traditional notions of beauty and perfection speaks to these broader concerns and challenges viewers to reflect on their own assumptions and biases. Additionally, a deep understanding of the human body, both as a physical entity and as a cultural construct, is necessary to fully appreciate Messager’s work. Her artwork in a way was a path to a better future, a future in which people of all different shapes and forms are viewed equally as any other person out there. Additionally, Annette Messager’s work in a way made a path for other contemporary artists to explore and question the social and cultural constructions of the human body, and to challenge the idealized view of beauty and perfection in art. With the use of body parts, found objects, and everyday materials to create unconventional installations and sculptures has inspired and influenced many artists today, especially those working in feminist and postmodern art. Her works have also opened new avenues for discussion on the relationship between the body and society, and have pushed the boundaries of traditional art practices, making it more inclusive and diverse.
In conclusion, Annette Messager’s artwork “The sum of all parts” challenges our perceptions of what makes us human and emphasizes the beauty of diversity. By using a collection of body parts from different people, Messager emphasizes that it is not just our individual body parts that define us but rather the sum of all our parts that makes us human. Her work highlights the importance of embracing diversity and being proud of our differences, as well as the ongoing debates around diversity and inclusion in society. Messager’s work explores issues of identity, representation, and social justice by using the human body as a means of expression. Her use of dismembered body parts challenges the viewer to reflect on the cultural and social constructions of the human body, highlighting the artificiality of the body as an object while emphasizing the bodily experiences and emotions that connect us all.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
MoMa website – This is the website of the Museum of Modern Art, one of the world’s leading institutions for modern and contemporary art. It features information about the museum’s collection, exhibitions, and programs, as well as resources for educators and researchers.
“Ways of Seeing” by John Berger – This is a book and television series that explores the ways in which visual images shape our understanding of the world. It analyzes the history of art and the ways in which it has been used to reinforce or challenge dominant cultural narratives.
“Artificial Bodies: Annette Messager and the Cultural Construction of the Human Body” by Jennifer Fisher – This is an academic article that analyzes the work of artist Annette Messager and its engagement with cultural constructions of the human body. It examines Messager’s use of body fragments and her critique of traditional notions of beauty and perfection.
“Annette Messager’s ‘The Sum of All Parts'” written by Eileen Hsing-Yu Tu – This is an article published on the Art Institute of Chicago’s website that examines Messager’s artwork “The Sum of All Parts.” It explores the themes of fragmentation and connection in Messager’s work and situates it within the broader context of contemporary art.
