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").A460 : Neo Figurative from "Pop Art" to "Neo-Pop" from the early days of media images and products in art (Richard Lindner, E.Paolozzi, Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, ...) up to their current ubiquity (Haïm Steinbach, Jeff Koons, Olivier Blanckart, Marc Dion, Takashi Murakami, Wang Du, ...). A500 : Forms of "Realism" Differents ways of observing the realities of the world, from a point of view of: "Brechtian" "Distanciation" of figures with explicit socio-political convictions, with the aim of changing social or political realities (André Fougeron, Groupe DDP, Renato Guttuso, …), or at least "critical" of such realities (Peter Saul, Cindy Sherman, Equipo Cronica, B.Rancillac, ...).
B axis : MATERIALITY How does the materiality of what is shown come across? (on a scale from more "immaterial" to more "real").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. B260 : tautology any object, or material, etc ... taken and presented alone and as such. "Ready Made" objects themselves, alone (Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" , ...), or placed in situations (Marcel Broodthaers' "Fictions", Toni Grand's "les bois", ...).
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", ...).C110 : towards the intellectual side/ the essence of things conceptual levels specific questionings from Bruce Naumann to Daniel Buren; the "Art System" questions its own foundations or its history (C.M Mariani, Wim Delvoye, Komar et Melamid, ...).
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, ...). D170 : tending towards the worldly by direct mass communication banners, addresses, ... all socio-artistic "Actions" (A. Sorbelli, ...) like "Sociological Art" (Fred Forest's "demos", ...). COMAR Koffi www.kofficomart.com |