The complexity of art has over the years led to the development of various interpretative approaches.
Methodologies of art -historical analysis are:
- Formalism
- Iconography
- Marxism
- Feminism
- Biography and autobiography
- Semiology
- Deconstruction
- Psychoanalysis
Formalism grew out of the nineteenth century aesthetic of ‘Art for Art’s sake’ -which stood for artistic a activity as an end in its self. Champions of formalism view works of art independent of their context, function and content. They respond to the formal elements and to the aesthetic effect that the arrangement of those elements creates.
Formalist writers on art were among the first to relate changes in artistic style to cultural change. A good example of a piece of art that has the effect of formal elements is Constantin Brancusi ‘Birds of Space’ (1928) A bronze unique .
A large part of the effect of the piece depends on its verticality. Yet it has curved outlines, sleek proportions and a reflective bronze surface. Its golden colour might evoke a reminder of the sun and therefore reinforce the association of birds in the sky. If the this piece was made with another material and was made so that it stood horizontally its aesthetic effect would be very different.
A second example is Meret Oppenheim, Fur Covered Cup, Saucer, and Spoon (Le Dejeuner en Fourrure) 1936 is a piece that is very memorable because of its texture
When one sees a cup the response is to drink from it, our lips touching the rim of the cup however its furry texture repels us. At the same timer the cup is amusing because of its extraordinary nature, the materials used to build it.
I find these aspects of formalism helpful hints and use them as outlines as I enter the realisation stage of my project.
Tags: concept, experimental media, kinetic art
