For this show and tell assignemnt I created another art piece. This is inspired by the traditional Japanese art style, ukiyo-e and an interpretation of Mario fighting Bowser (video game characters). I was influenced by Jed Henry’s ‘Rickshaw Cart’ Woodblock Print. My image depicts Mario as a ninja and Bowser as a dragon with a shell. I have drawn dragons in the past, so I did not use a specific refernce other than the print above for color choice and the generic build of the shell and face. For Mario, I heavily relied on the reference for the design and coloring, but I completely changed the scene and incorperated fire and a simplistic background. The dragon is blowing fire at the ninja, as he tries to protect himself with a shield. Ukiyo-e often incorporates symbolic elements to enhance the narrative and visual impact of the prints. These symbols are integrated in this scene of Mario and Bowser, which deepens their meaning. I did this by transforming Bowser, who is a personified turtle, into a dragon. He already breathes fire, so I thought that this was very fitting for him and in turn this dragon-form truly emphasizes his imposing nature. Jed Henry’s print has Mario drawn as a ninja, so I did the same. As a ninja, this represents Mario’s fleeting nature of his his adventures. Ninja’s usually fight and guard their superiors, typically to protect the Edo Castle, and Mario fights and protects Princess Peach (i.e. they are one in the same). By adapting these iconic characters, Mario and Bowser, into the ukiyo-e style, there blossoms an interesting merge of contemporary video game culture and traditional Japanese art. The fusion of Mario abd Bowser’s recognizable features with the delicate linework, vibrant colors, and storytelling elements of ukiyo-e creates a visually captivating and culturally rich art piece. I used orange, red, green, and blue hues to bring this scene to life. I centered the focus to Bowser’s fire and the action of Mario fighting back with the shield, which intensifies a dramatic type of vibe. Bowser has a powerful stance, displaying the strengh this protagonist has, while also breathing fire that I drew with a detailed pattern of linework, which is found in many ukiyo-e prints (like waves or clouds). Ukiyo-e is a popular art form during the Edo period of Japan and with the rise of wealthy merchants and growth of urban culture, this art stlye enhances the “floating world”, or ukiyo, representing simplicity of life: entertainment, fashion, and theater. These prints were affordable, making them accessible to a wide audience. The tales of Mario would be a great story to tell through traditonal Japanese theatre, as it incorperates a colorful and mesmerizing aspect of an adventure with a ninja fighting off a mythical dragon. Ukiyo-e is characterized by its intricate woodblock prints depicting everyday life, landscapes, and historical tales and combining vibrant colors, and detailed linework. I like this concept of depicting Mario and Bowser from the Super Mario franchise with the ukiyo-e style because of how well it blends the modernization of video games with the traditional Japanese art form, intensifying the characters that I drew.
“Haiku and Ukiyo-e.” Haiku & Ukiyo-e | Museum of Art | Bates College, 15 Apr. 2010, www.bates.edu/museum/education/thousandwordproject/lesson-plans/katherine-cargile-lewiston-middle-school-haiku-and-ukiyo-e.
“‘Rickshaw Cart’ Woodblock Print.” Ukiyo-e Heroes, shop.ukiyoeheroes.com/collections/handmade-woodblock-prints/products/rickshaw-cart-woodblock-print.
