Elephants are cute. As are kittens. Both have some grounding in Japan (one for the artist, the other because Neko's are everywhere).
So our elephant friend here is cute because of multiple things. The first being the direct size contrasting between the two sculptures. The one of the left is admirably cute given his oversized physique, but he is simply a tool used to then draw us to the smaller version, which when compared to the big guy is EVEN cuter. Its like a mother/son elephant thing where size is directly porportional the amount of cuteness. The color pallete chosen as well heightens this because they are such friendly, pastely (easter eggish) colors that can do no wrong. The size of the smaller elephant is also supposed to give a sense that it is probably a baby or small child. Even though the sculpture is probably pretty big compared to a human, I feel like it is screaming to be picked up or embraced. That is why I think there is such a direct, parallel porportional comparison going on between the two statues. Oh boy do I love elephants.
But, I love cats even more. Check this guy out. This photograph was designed (and probably photoshopped heavily) to instill all the virtues of cute within this kitten. It has been personified to such a degree that it looks like it wants you to give it a human hug (or at least pick it up like a baby). In fact, the cat looks very much like a baby that is simply grappling for your attention. The cat is also very clean and fuzzy, instilling many pleasurable aesthetics to force us to love it. In addition, we really cannot see claws or anything else threatening about the image (teeth, hair standing on end, etc..) so it portrays itself as a fuzzy stuffed-animalish creature. This is the cuteness from the images above being displayed as an actual living thing, rather than a lifeless sculpture that only looks inviting.
Have I said the word cuteness enough? No? CUTENESS. (It's almost sickening)
Awww, that kitten is tooo adorable!!!! ^_^
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I like your choice of the elephants, that was possibly one of the pictures I was going to use, but I saw Claire using it and gave up... I also think that we associate the factor of cuteness more so with these elephants than real-life ones is because of the childish, smooth and round lines/outlines; just like the bubbly letters that we see attached to Hello Kitty, there's no rough edges on these figures. That totally contradicts the real-life elephant (which is pretty cute), who isn't exactly super cuddly. Also, these elephants are both stripped of their tusks; this makes them more lovable because there is no element of a weapon.
I have to say, with the bigger one, it took me a bit to locate its eyes... That's interesting that it has a ton of like stickers on its head but the baby elephant doesn't... Also the idea of putting underwear on the elephants is kinda strange but I wonder if it has a relavance... Actually, it's probably just Ban-san just trying to screw with our minds...
I totally missed the underwear (or diaper if you will) I must be blind. Score another point for the cute baby column.
ReplyDeleteAww! I am sorry that I made Devon change her image!
ReplyDeleteI agree about the lack of a threat also making an image that much cuter. The underwear is sooo adorable, it reminds me of a pair of socks I once had that had pictures on them. (similar to these: http://www.musicroom.com/images/catalogue/fullsize/AIMG10008I.jpg)
The repetitive image of underwear is flirty and cute, because there are "sexy" underwear types (thongs) and not so sexy ones (something like 'fruit of the loom')
I agree with your analysis of the elephant photo. I made a similar comment on one of Elaine's images; the comparison in size between the two figures makes the smaller one stand out as even cuter. I like your comment on the paternal theme that this contrast gives the image. We have the larger, parent figure protecting the younger, helpless, cuter child.
ReplyDeleteI love cats too, and this one is awesome. Certainly adorable. I'm not sure what this cat is doing, exactly. I mean, it could either be swiping at something above with its paw, or sleeping. I opted for the sleeping viewpoint. In lieu of that, one of the things that makes this cat so cute is that it looks almost human in its position. It's totally passed out flat on its back, completely oblivious to what's happening around it. This adds to its sense of "harmless" cuteness (as opposed to some of the weapons and things that have been appearing in other images.