Definition and examples of juxtaposition in art

Juxtaposition is a technique that consists of placing elements next to each other, allowing the viewer or reader to relate them and derive meaning from them. It is very common to find juxtapositions in the written language, photography, painting and other works of art.

What is juxtaposition

The word juxtaposition derives from the Latin terms iuxta , which means “join” or “next to” and ponere , which in turn derives from the Greek word parathesis , which means “to put” or “to place”.

In art, juxtaposition is the arrangement of figures or shapes next to each other, whether opposite or not, to capture attention, emphasis, or effect. In written language, juxtaposed elements can be words, clauses or sentences that are connected to each other and allow their qualities or differences to be emphasized.

Although in juxtaposition the objects are not necessarily opposite, when two or more items are placed next to each other, the differences between them are emphasized. For example, the enumeration in a text, a black and white painting, or an abstract art painting.

Examples of juxtaposition in art

Juxtaposition in painting

Juxtaposition is a resource that is frequently used in painting and other plastic arts, where shapes , colors and different materials are played with. Elements are often placed next to each other to generate certain visual effects.

It is quite common to find examples of juxtaposition in abstract and surreal art. For example, in the following paintings:

• Wooden Relief (1923) by Lajos Kassák.
• The lovers (1928), by René Magritte.
• Rhythm, joy of life (1930), by Robert Delaunay.
• Object (1936), by Méret Oppenheim.
• Pentateuch (2013), by Fabien Merelle.

juxtaposition in photography

In photography, juxtaposition is frequently used to provide greater contrast between two objects, whether in their shapes, lines, colors, textures, or meaning . Some common examples of juxtaposition are black-and-white, before-and-after photos, the use of light and dark colors, and comparing or contrasting old and new or big and small. The use of juxtaposition in photography can be seen in the following works:

• East Vidette (1927), by Ansel Adams. 
• The Outlands (1969-1974), by William Eggleston.
• Still Life with a Watermelon (1947), by Irving Penn.
• England uncensored (2000-2010), by Peter Dench.
• SPNC Year 3 – Instruction # 01 (2012), by Oscar Palomares.

juxtaposition in literature

In literature, both prose and poetry, juxtaposition is a literary technique in which two or more ideas, characters, places, or actions are placed next to each other in a narrative or poem to make comparisons or contrasts.

Some works that include examples of juxtaposition in literature are:

• Romeo and Juliet , by William Shakespeare.
• A Tale of Two Cities , by Charles Dickens.
• The Prince and the Pauper , by Mark Twain.
• The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde , by Robert L. Stevenson.
• Things , by Jorge Luis Borges.
• Conversation in the Cathedral , by Mario Vargas Llosa.

juxtaposition in grammar

In grammar, juxtaposition is a resource that is used to enumerate different actions in the same sentence, through the use of the comma. In this way, it is possible to relate similar objects. But, also, juxtaposition can be used to contrast different objects.

Written juxtaposition uses punctuation marks that indicate pauses: commas, semicolons, colons or ellipses, always to relate two or more propositions. Oral juxtaposition, on the other hand, is done through silences. Some examples of juxtaposition in common sentences are:

• My grandparents, my parents, my uncles, my cousins ​​and all my friends will attend my wedding.
• The most important tourist destinations in Spain include Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Seville, Valencia, Santiago de Compostela, the Canary Islands, etc.
• Luciano maintains a diet based on vegetables, fruits, dairy products and fish.
• The days of the week are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Playing sports, eating healthy, spending time outdoors and with loved ones are some of the essential activities for a healthy life.

Grammatical juxtaposition is one of the ways to connect two simple sentences to form a compound sentence, without the need to use conjunctions or connectors. Juxtaposed sentences are statements that are made up of other sentences separated by punctuation marks. Generally, they are independent of each other and have several verbs that are conjugated according to different subjects. For example:

• The summer started quite hot; spring was very cold this year.
• Some people are vegetarians, others want to be vegan, the rest prefer to continue eating meat.
• Romeo and Juliet was a romantic tragedy; Macbeth stood out for showing cruelty and betrayal.
• Tomorrow I have a work meeting; on Tuesday I have to travel to Malaga; and the weekend, I will take the opportunity to rest.
• Monica and Rodrigo got married after living together for 70 years; their children were the witnesses.

Bibliography

• Gombrich, EH The History of Art. (2013). Spain. Phaidon Press Limited.
• Photocreative. (2020, April 18). 30 juxtaposition ideas and tips in photography. Available at: https://fotocreativo.com/30-ideas-y-consejos-de-yuxtaposicion-en-fotografia/