The classification provides four or more codes placed on four axis (A - formalism, B - matériality, C - involvement body/mind, D - communication). These codes are positionning the artist in the art history.
A axis : FORMALISM
When looking at the work, what type of formalisation first strikes the eye? Is it more abstract or more figurative, etc ? (on a scale from more "immaterial" to more "realist").A440 : Neo Figurative "Narrative Figurative Art"
Introduction of the Time element into the depiction of reality. Discontinuities and juxtapositions of different time spaces creating a story within the picture itself (Jacques Monory, Errò, Bernard Rancillac, David Salle,…) or in photomontage (Raoul Hausmann, Richard Hamilton, ...). A220 : Abstracts with signs
The work as a whole remains abstract but includes (or consists entirely of): signs forming writing: writing with meaning
the "Letterists" (Isidore Isou, Maurice Lemaitre, …) to the "Conceptuals" (Joseph Kossuth, Roman Opalka, …); writing ranging from the most formalist to pure communication (Ben, On Kawara, Barbara Kruger, ...).
B axis : MATERIALITY
How does the materiality of what is shown come across?
(on a scale from more "immaterial" to more "real").B200 : Materiality
in painting, but also with all other materials with the following possibilities: Structured with colours predominant
with their intrinsic or symbolic strength, (Monory's "blues", G.Fromanger's "reds") historical or social meaning etc., and their structuring, the colours here are the most important (Jules Olitsky, Peter Halley, ...). B240 : materials or objects in "assemblages", collages/decollages, or installations
meaningful or meaningless objects (or even offcasts of society) when they are assembled with a new spirit:
- to make something aesthetic, as with the "New realists" (Arman, Spoerri, César, …); the "Affichists" (Jiri Kolar, M. Rotella, R. Hains, ...)
- in parody as with the "Simulationnistes" (Haïm Steinbach, ...)
- in many and various other "Installations" as with well known artists (Christian Boltanski, Edward Kienholz, ...) and above all with many artists of the new generation.
C axis : INVOLVEMENT BODY/ MIND
With what body:mind ratio does the artist enter into his work?
Classify from the most "intellectual" (e.g."Concept Art"...) to the most "physical" (e.g. "Body Art", ...).C130 : towards the intellectual side/ the essence of things inward looking work chiefly oriented towards: l'introspective
inner landscapes, emotions, feelings (Arpad Szenes, ...), serenity (Yves Klein's "Monochromes", ...), equilibrium ("mandalas" of Augustin Lesage or Adolf Wölfli, ...), memory (Boltenski "boxes", ...).
D axis : COMMUNICATION
Does the artist have the deliberate intention to convey a message of any sort through his work?
(classified from the most "mystical" to the most "worldly").D115 : via what is meant in various narrations or symbolisms whatever they may be
allegorical, metaphorical (J. Beuys' "materials", ...), analytical (Mario Merz's "Fibonacci series", or those of Robert Filliou, ...), critical (from Henri Cueco to Hans Haacke or Guillaume Bijl, ...). D110 : via what is meant with various spiritual or less marked religious influences
(from Barnett Newman to Mark Rothko, from Roman Opalka to Arnulf Rainer, ...).
GALLIOT Michel
www.galliot.info |
