“Bunny’s Flight” by Kristen Berger
collage, acrylic, 5”x7”,  March, 2012

 

Kristen Berger

“I love the medium of collage for its ability to change the meaning of an image by juxtaposing it with something completely unrelated.  I enjoy how it allows for spontaneity, and also gives me an excuse to sit and read vintage magazines, sheet music, etiquette manuals, and other gems from a bygone era.  In “Bunny’s Flight,” the image of the stuffed bunny eluding the boy’s grasp really tugged at my heartstrings; I added the map of our local area because I felt the overall meaning could be of the anxiety caused when a friend or loved one leaves on a journey, be it temporary or permanent.  More of my artwork can be found at Tangled Up in Hue, or www.kiteflyingsociety.etsy.com.” – The Artist 

 

Apr. 19, '12 (click to zoom)

What we were thinking: So this cover was created by Kristen Berger, a local creative that even has merchandise in our Local Store. The piece is a collage utilizing found images with contrasting styles along with the presence of acrylic paint. She's taken a Wisconsin map, cropped to the Chippewa Valley area. The next layer is the acrylic paint which transitions the map up into the soft organic sky and the soft grass down below. Above that is a very nostalgic image of a young boy chasing a stuffed bunny rabbit attached to an umbrella (or are they coming together?). The way Kristen has positioned these elements together and where the location of the boy is in regards to the cities on the map conveys that he's a resident of perhaps Eau Claire or Altoona from a more nostalgic, simple time. The story here is open to interpretation, but the imagery and obvious presence of the local cities makes this piece relatable. – V1 Designer Josh Smeltzer