Focus on Materials
Definition
This term refers to artworks that emphasize the physical properties and inherent qualities of the materials used, often exploring how different materials can be manipulated, combined, or presented to create meaning, texture, or form, a theme that has been central to modern and contemporary art, particularly in movements like Minimalism, Arte Povera, and Process Art.
History
The focus on materials in art became particularly prominent in the 20th century, with movements like Minimalism and Process Art emphasizing the materiality of the artwork itself, rather than representational content or narrative. Artists began to explore the unique properties of different materials, such as texture, weight, transparency, and the ways in which materials can convey meaning or evoke sensory experiences.
Notable Examples
Eva Hesse
Untitled (Rope Piece), 1970
Anish Kapoor
Cloud Gate, 2006
Key Artists & Movements
Key figures include Eva Hesse, whose use of unconventional materials like latex and fiberglass challenges traditional notions of sculpture and emphasizes process and materiality, and Anish Kapoor, whose large-scale sculptures often explore the physical and optical properties of materials like polished steel and pigment, creating works that engage the viewer's perception and experience of space.
Techniques & Materials
Techniques involve the selection and manipulation of materials with a focus on their inherent qualities, such as texture, color, and physical properties. Artists may experiment with non-traditional or industrial materials, explore the process of making as a central aspect of the work, or create works that highlight the material's relationship to space, light, and the viewer. The focus on materials often leads to works that are abstract, minimal, or experiential, where the material itself becomes the primary subject and source of meaning.
2940 Portland Dr.
Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6H5W8
Khalifa Blvd, Dubai, UAE
[email protected]
