My Dress Hangs There (2) Frida Kahlo (1907-1954)

The painting My Dress Hangs There (2) by Frida Kahlo presents a chaotic yet meticulously detailed cityscape that seems to encapsulate a complex emotional state and societal critique.

What I see:

The foreground is dominated by a stark white toilet on a pedestal, with its lid up, positioned prominently. To the left, a woman in a red dress and a wide-brimmed black hat is depicted within a window or frame, her arm raised. Below her, a large fire rages. To her right, a traditional Mexican dress, a vibrant green skirt with an embroidered red-brown bodice, hangs conspicuously on a clothesline, strung between buildings.

The background is a dense tableau of urban architecture. A neoclassical building with columns stands centrally, suggesting a governmental or institutional presence. Behind this, a sprawling cityscape filled with skyscrapers with many windows is visible. Steam rises from industrial chimneys and a ship sails on a body of water. There are also water towers, a factory, a gas pump with stars, and a statue of a figure in the distance. At the very bottom, a mass of tiny figures appears to be gathered, suggesting a crowd or perhaps a representation of societal unrest.

The overall composition is crowded and layered, with wires and lines crisscrossing the scene, connecting various elements. The color palette is varied, with earthy tones, reds, and blues contributing to a sense of both vibrancy and disarray.

Subtexts:

• Disintegration and Disillusionment: The presence of the toilet, a symbol of waste and bodily functions, placed on a pedestal that usually holds something revered, suggests a debasement or a critical commentary on societal values. The fire to the left could symbolize destruction, passion, or cleansing. The layered and fragmented nature of the cityscape might represent a fractured psyche or a sense of overwhelming chaos.

• Cultural Identity and Alienation: The hanging Mexican dress is a powerful symbol of Kahlos identity. Its contrast with the Westernized, industrial cityscape highlights a feeling of displacement and perhaps a longing for connection to her roots while being immersed in a foreign environment (the painting was made in New York). The woman depicted in the window might represent Kahlo herself, observing this scene.

• Critique of Industrialization and American Society: The overwhelming presence of factories, skyscrapers, and industrial elements, along with the seemingly indifferent crowds, likely critiques the dehumanizing aspects of industrial capitalism and the perceived superficiality of American culture, which Kahlo experienced during her time in the United States. The neoclassical building might allude to the ideals of democracy and art, but its context within the overwhelming industrial landscape raises questions about whether these ideals are being upheld.

• Personal Turmoil and Resilience: Kahlos paintings often express her personal struggles with physical pain, emotional relationships, and her identity. The juxtaposition of elements like the toilet, fire, and the hanging dress amidst the overwhelming city could represent a personal battle against societal pressures, illness, or emotional turmoil, while the dress also signifies a hold on her identity and a form of resilience.

• Symbolism of Time and Progress: The subtle inclusion of dates like 1932 and 1937 on the grid-like structures within the buildings might allude to specific periods of her life or societal events, further embedding a temporal dimension to her critique.

In essence, My Dress Hangs There (2) appears to be a deeply personal and critical commentary on the clash between traditional culture and modernity, the anxieties of urban life, and Kahlos own complex emotional and cultural positioning.