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Carlos Ariel Perez

Oscar Martinez

ENGL 1301

October 8, 2023

Analysis Of a Song Cover Art

Thanks to technology, the digitalization of images to represent a message in any shape or

form is natural for us. Could you think of a world where you could not send pictures to your

family and friends to support or directly share your commentary? Digital images have

definitively changed the way we communicate with people in today’s society. The functions of

images in a digital context are diverse; they can be pictures, memes, art pieces, album covers,

educational posters, etc. Images can be rich sources of information that are ready for

examination, just as we closely examine textual texts to determine their meaning. The proverb

“A picture is worth a thousand words" emphasizes the significant influence that images may

have on how we see the world. This essay explores the fascinating field of visual analysis, where

we investigate the idea that pictures can be analyzed and understood similarly to written or

spoken language. An image’s message can be decoded by thorough inspection and methodical

deconstruction, regardless of whether it has explicit language elements or only depends on visual

cues. To properly understand an image’s intended meaning, we shall study it in parts and

sections, just as one reads a book by breaking it down into chapters and paragraphs. In a way that

words alone frequently can’t, visual art has the astonishing power to encapsulate ideas, feelings,

and moments. A song’s cover art might be especially engaging because it acts as a visual

introduction to the music it stands for. The visual examination of a song cover art, a picture
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created with blurry brush strokes, will be covered in this essay. This piece of art challenges us to

think about the intricate relationship between light and shadow as well as the contrast between

truth and perception and the fleeting aspect of life.

The captivating piece of art is centered on a subway tunnel that stretches into the distance

before being engulfed in dazzling light. The viewer is drawn to an ambiguous, ethereal

destination by the tunnel’s vanishing point. This essential compositional choice reflects the

thematic components frequently present in song covers and communicates a sense of journey and

change, precisely what the song is about. Subway trains rush past on the left side of the artwork,

their silhouettes blending into one another. The last wagon ends and seamlessly transitions to the

next, signifying how life’s moments are relentless and intertwined. The parallel trains stand in

for both the passing of time and the transience of life. The use of fuzzy brushstrokes here

expresses the idea that our view of life is frequently cloudy and fleeting in addition to capturing

the dynamic movement of the trains. Two figures are seen waiting for a train at a subway station

on the right side of the piece of art. Due to the hazy brushwork, it is difficult to make out these

silhouetted people, which gives them a sense of anonymity and universality. The decision to

conceal their identities reflects the idea that each person’s journey is distinctive while also being

a part of a larger collective experience. In addition to the previously mentioned aspects of the

illustration, we find the title of the song on the top left part of the delineation, called “De la Vida

Como Pelicula y su Tragedia, Comedia y Ficcion” that translates to: About life as a movie and its

tragedy, comedy and fiction. Also, on the bottom left part, we can see the logo of the artist,

Canserbero, a Venezuelan-conscious rapper who wrote songs about life and how we should

improve our minds to build a better world.

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The artist employs a distinctive technique characterized by blurry brush strokes and a

subdued color palette. The brushwork, characterized by its soft and imprecise edges, imparts a

dreamlike quality to the scene. This technique not only blurs the distinction between the tangible

and the ephemeral but also mimics the way our memories and perceptions can become blurred

over time. The color palette is dominated by dull and muted tones, contributing to the overall

sense of ambiguity and uncertainty. The absence of vibrant colors reinforces the idea that life’s

moments are often characterized by subtlety and nuance, requiring careful observation to truly

appreciate their beauty.

While the lighting is given careful consideration, the whole image is depicted in an

impressionistic way that is fuzzy. Different parts of the artwork are touched by sunlight rays,

giving them a sense of depth and dimension. The passing trains’s windows reflect light, giving

the area a dazzling appearance in contrast to the darkness all around. The contrast between the

known and the unknown, the obvious and the hidden, is highlighted by this play of light and

shadow, matching the dualistic themes frequently found in music and lyrics.

In conclusion, the song cover art that us the subject of this analysis offers an enthralling

visual representation of the topics and feelings embodied in the music it supports. The artist asks

viewers to consider the fleeting nature of life’s moments, the interconnection of existence, and

the hazy boundary between reality and perception through the use of foggy brushstrokes, a

subdued color palette, and careful attention to lighting. This piece of art is proof of the ability of

visual art to arouse feelings, spur contemplation, and deepen our understanding of the music it is

accompanied by.
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