Viva La Vida

1. Viva La Vida Long live life فيفا لا فيدا 万岁拉维达 mabuhay la vida ויוה לה וידビバラビーダ Vivat vitaviver a vida longa lunga vita in diretta Ζήτω η ζωή

2. Visual Rhetoric – Alexus Furlong 7th period

3. Background Information • This is the album cover for Coldplay’s 2008 4th studio album entitled Viva La Vida. • The song/ album title is taken from a painting by 20th century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Viva la Vida means “long live life”. • The painting in the background is a 1830 painting from the French Revolution by Eugene Delacroix entitled “La liberté guidant le peuple” or liberty leading the people.

4. Background Band Information • The band formed in 1997. • It consists of members Chris Martin, Johnny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion • Their musical style is alternative rock.

5. What ‘s the first thing you notice about the album cover? • Does this image appeal to you? • What do you think you would see if the image was expanded?

6. The first thing I noticed was the words “Viva La Vida.” The white words contrasted against the rest of the painting and grabbed my attention. • I then noticed the background of the cover which is the painting of the French Revolution. I thought it was interesting that they decided to put a painting rather than a picture of themselves. Coldplay doesn’t take themselves too seriously, they’re a laid- back band and I think that’s why they choose that cover.

7. I think the album cover appealed to me because I am a person that lives life to the fullest. So when I saw the words Viva La Vida it grabbed my attention. It also appealed to me because when this song first came out I listened to it all the time. • I think that if the image was expanded you would see more of the battle being taken place and you would probably see more of the dead bodies on the ground.

8. Audience • I think the intended audience for this album cover was • - Fans of Coldplay • - Fans of Music • - People who appreciate life and art.

9. Point of View • The image was created by Eugene Delacroix. With the words added on by the band. • The focus in the foreground is the words “ Viva la Vida”. The focus in the background is the lady holding up the French flag.

10. Techniques/ Composition – Color • The patriotic colors (red, white and blue)are mostly used in the album cover. • The painting depicts a battle during the French Revolution and the French wanted a victory so I think that’s why the artist used those colors.

11. Technique –Symbolism • The white color of the words symbolize purity and the renewal of life yet all the people on the ground are dead. So the painting is saying that with your struggles you should still try to life live. I also think the words were made that way to look like it was blood and it was shattered everywhere. But the artist decided to make the words white to go with the message of “Viva La Vida”

12. Technique/ Detail - Contrast • I think the white of the words contrast with rest of the painting. Everything else in the background are darker colors. The way the words look like they were painted on contrasts with the simplicity of the painting.

13. Appeal • I think this album cover has emotional(pathos) appeal. The cover gives the feeling of death and life at the same time. With the words and background image it conveys the message of trying to live life when death is amongst you.

14. Sources • http://vivian-folkenflik.org/core-course-fall%2007.html • Coldplay 12 June. 2008 • www.coldplay.com • http://sleevage.com/coldplay-viva-la-vida-or-death-and-all-his-friends/