Skip to main content

Complementary in contraction

The New Yorker, a renowned magazine publisher that is known for making interesting and compelling commentary, criticism and other interesting literary pieces about the current social, political and economical topics in America. For the last century, the magazine has been most famous for their detailed, abstract and overall powerful cover arts on their magazines about America's top stories. One cover in particular was one that I chose out of called “Taking the L Train” By Tomer Hakuna, this particular cover depicts two men standing in a subway cart, facing away from each other. We see the side profile of each man as they face different directions. The seats behind them are empty but both men choose to stand. With the background of the subway a dull beige color, your eyes lead you to the middle of the piece. Two men of presumably different backgrounds, back to back, utterly unaware of the man standing behind him; and the similarities they may share between one another.

Cover Story: Tomer Hanuka's “Take the L Train” | The New Yorker

(Illustrator: Tom Hakuna)

There is an immense amount of detail within these two men. From the way they’re dressed to the way they stand to the way their hair is styled. Different in so many ways, but similar in a handful. Finding similarities in the differences is the core of analytical writing and this cover has plenty. Both men, as the title suggests, are passengers on the L train. A subway system found in NYC that everyone in the city uses in order to get around. Both men seem to be completely different then the other. However, upon further examination, you notice that they are complete mirrored images of each other. Both share the same stance, the same long unkempt beard, the same fade on the back of their heads. These similarities indicate that these two men are not as different as those may seem. With that, we can assume that although they wear different clothing, there is something deeper that connects these two individuals. 


(Illustrator: Tom Hakuna)

    The illustrator, Tomer Hakuna, has been described by EvilTender, an online blog site, as “a craftsman in control of his tools” and his work “...playfully twisted and carnal, serious and thoughtful.” Tom Hakuna is known for his detailed artwork, capturing moments that are as intense as they are serene. Using bold neon colors, his artwork paints a bold storyline within each of his pieces. But comparing this cover art to his other works, you can see a clear difference within them. It only makes you wonder what exactly this piece is about. With these men near polar opposites in clothing, in lifestyle, in overall how they live their lives, tied together with a few similar characteristics. Noticing the exact same divergence comparing this cover art to Hakuna’s other works. Complete lack of bold colors, instead dull beige, green and blacks. No underlying message, but a snapshot of two men making their commute under the concrete jungle where dreams are made of. With this, there is no certainty as to the meaning behind this cover, but within its roots, and the past work of this author, it could quite possibly be about the similarities within the differences of people who seem to have nothing in common. Of art styles that seem to completely clash. But might as well share the same mundane truth. Whatever that may be. 


Image result for about tomer hanuka                          Image result for about tomer hanuka
(Illustrator: Tom Hakuna)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Toxic Masculinity: A mental pandemic

   There has been a pandemic that has plagued our society for far longer then the coronavirus has. It is just as contagious and just as destructive.  The Male Ego More specifically, the common thought amongst a dangerous amount of men and women that men are only supposed to show a certain set of characteristics. Strength, power, toughness, pride, courage, are what is expected of “men” in western culture. Simply being a man isn't enough for society to see you as manly. You have fit a very specific stereotype, which is what drives many social issues like school shootings, gun violence, abuse towards women, and many more. Toxic masculinity itself is not the sole cause of all these issues but without a doubt, the harmful mentality contributes more than people think. Many people don't believe that toxic masculinity affects these issues, and some don't believe it exists at all. Combating toxic masculinity and claiming it exists is often seen as attacking men for being men for b...
Post a Comment
Read more

10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation

When having conversation with your peers, do you ever think about exactly how you're having the conversation? Not just what you're saying, but how you're saying it? What you're doing while you are having this conversation, or even what you're thinking about while you are conversing. No? Neither do I, but we should. Talking to someone and truly being invested in the conversation is a skill. One that everyone should master, or at least attempt to.  Most of us know how to talk, we do it every day to anyone around. But then again, most of us struggle with listening. More often than it should be, it is believed that hearing someone talk is the same as listening, and that's just not the case. Understanding someone when they speak, and processing what they say is listening. Hearing is not listening, and listening is just as, if not more important then talking is. So after listening to Celeste Headlee's " 10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation " I am left w...
1 comment
Read more