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").A300 : Figures Imaginary Closer to historical "Surrealism"
the wildest imaginings become "sur-realist" images (Salvator Dali, René Magritte, Alfred Courmes, …). 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, ...). A455 : Neo Figurative More or less allegorical representations ("Trans Avant Garde", "Bad Painting", ...)
J.G. Dokoupil, Julian Schnabel, David Salle, Reiner Fetting, Kenny Scharf, Sandro Chia, Francesco Clemente, Enzo Cucchi, Mimo Paladino, ...
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. B250 : tautology
any object, or material, etc ... taken and presented alone and as such. reworked objects
in particular sculptors in wood, stone, etc. But also all objets trouvés, recycled and re-worked objects (in particular with Art Brut). 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", ...).C120 : towards the intellectual side/ the essence of things inward looking work chiefly oriented towards: projective
dreams, poetry, lyricism, psychedelic experience … to "project" an inner world (Henri Michaux, Wols, ...).
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, ...). D160 : via what is meaningful
based on the idea that work on what symbolizes forms an intentional message in itself (for example: Daniel Dezeuze's "Stretchers", etc., etc., ...). when the object is significant in itself
from Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" to Manzoni box of "the artist's shit", or Jeff Koons' "vacuum cleaners", ...
MAES Fabrice
www.fabricemaes.fr |
