Analysis of Creative
By using Corel Draw, and Photo-paint, this picture was made to
symbolize the novel Dune and some of its central themes and ideas.
Utilizing several different variations and artistic methods allows for
numerous connections to be made with the book.
The eye is symbolic to one’s mind set and is also the route to one’s
thoughts. The central theme of this picture is that of trust and deception as
indicated by the opposite features in the eye. By creating a dark and light
element on different segments it conveys a two-faced quality which in
essence comes from the same eye, or mind. In addition, characters in the
novel who consume spice eventually develop “blue within blue” eyes, as
indicated by Herbert several times throughout the book. This quality
becomes a very important means of distinguishing the Fremen, who are the
Atreides’ allies, and plays a huge role in the theme of trust. Thus, the
produced image corresponds to this condition.
The drawing puts more of an emphasis on conceptuality, as opposed
to realism. Several other portions have a symbolic link to the novel. The
bottom, right hand of the eye represents the Harkonnen Empire, as disturbed,
angry, evil people. This is accomplished through dark shading, and the
vesicles that are present in the eye. However, the pure, brighter part of the
image is an appropriate representation of the Atreides as good natured
people. In addition, eyelashes are replaced with daggers to symbolize the
ongoing conflict between the two races. To further add to the picture the
background is coloured sandy-yellow to embody the main desert like setting
of the novel. Also, by adjusting its texture to create a jagged image, the
background indicates the roughness, difficulties, and dangers of the planet
Dune. The contrast between textures of the background and the eye is a key
representation of the struggles between man and nature, as presented in the
novel. At the corners of the eye, a smooth gray texture stands for metal, and
essentially technology. By incorporating this into the eye, it shows how in
“Dune” man has used technology to seek out numerous needs and desires.
Finally, the focal point, which is a worm, rests in the pupil of the eye. This
appropriately symbolizes how these 200-metre long destructive monsters are
amongst the most feared aspects of Arrakis. Therefore through different
artistic median and abstract symbolization, the created image closely relates
to the novel in several aspects.