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.
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. B270 : "Mixed materials"
combinations of various materialities, found chiefly among young creators (for example with "Relational Aesthetic") late 20th century/early 21st, often going hand in hand with "Installations" (Fabrice Hybert, etc., etc., ...). B275 : Works on what is real / natural
all other works using the "natural" as it stands, for example in Arte Povera ("salads" by G. Anselmo, Luciano Fabro, ... ), "Land art", or "Earth art" (colourings of nature by Jean Veram, Robert Smithson, Richard Long, ...).
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, ...). C160 : tending towards the corporeal / the senses via expression with "humanity" (the passage from Life to Death)
- in a literal manner (John de Andrea, Duane Hanson, Itsvan Sandorfi, ...)
- or a symbolic manner (James Ensor, G. Rouault, F. Gruber, Zoran Music, Rebeca Stevenson, Jan Vercruysse, ...), ...
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", ... D190 : tending towards the worldly by decorations, illuminations, murals, or more broadly, outdoor creations in public places
More committed to a cause; Fernand Léger, D.A. Siqueiros, Diego Riveira, Orozco, Candido Portinari ...
- more decorative; D. Buren, etc., ...
PIFFARD Jean-Yves
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