The Abject
Definition
This term refers to artworks that explore themes of disgust, horror, and the breakdown of social or bodily boundaries. The concept of the abject, rooted in psychoanalytic theory, is often used in art to confront taboo subjects, challenge cultural norms, and evoke strong emotional reactions in the viewer.
History
The exploration of the abject in art has been particularly prominent in the 20th and 21st centuries, where artists like Francis Bacon and Cindy Sherman have used disturbing, grotesque imagery to explore the darker aspects of human existence. The abject in art often addresses themes of mortality, identity, and the fragility of the body, pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable or beautiful.
Notable Examples
Cindy Sherman
Untitled #263, 1992
Key Artists & Movements
Key figures include Francis Bacon, whose visceral, distorted figures in works like Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion confront the viewer with the raw, abject nature of the human body, and Cindy Sherman, whose Untitledseries uses grotesque, abject imagery to challenge cultural norms around gender, identity, and beauty.
Techniques & Materials
Techniques involve the use of painting, photography, sculpture, and installation to create works that evoke feelings of disgust, horror, or discomfort. Artists may use distorted forms, bodily fluids, or unsettling imagery to confront the viewer with the abject, often challenging societal taboos and exploring the boundaries of the self. The exploration of the abject in art often involves a deep engagement with themes of mortality, identity, and the unconscious, creating works that provoke strong emotional responses and invite viewers to confront their own fears and anxieties.
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