Viscous Forms
Definition
This term refers to artworks that depict or incorporate forms that appear thick, sticky, or fluid, often evoking a sense of movement, transformation, or the materiality of substances. Viscous forms in art can suggest a range of meanings, from the physical properties of liquids to metaphorical ideas about change and instability.
History
The use of viscous forms in art has been explored by various artists, particularly in the context of Abstract Expressionism and Post-Minimalism. Artists like Jackson Pollock and Lynda Benglis have used viscous, flowing materials to create dynamic, gestural works that emphasize process, materiality, and the fluidity of form.
Notable Examples
Jackson Pollock
No. 5, 1948, 1948
Lynda Benglis
Quartered Meteor, 1969
Key Artists & Movements
Key figures include Jackson Pollock, whose drip paintings like No. 5, 1948 use poured and splattered paint to create complex, layered compositions that evoke movement and fluidity, and Lynda Benglis, a sculptor known for her use of poured latex and polyurethane in works like Quartered Meteor, which explore the physical properties of viscous materials and their transformation over time.
Techniques & Materials
Techniques involve the use of materials like paint, latex, resin, or other substances that can be manipulated into thick, flowing, or sticky forms. Artists may pour, drip, or layer these materials to create textures and patterns that emphasize the fluidity and materiality of the medium. The exploration of viscous forms in art often involves a focus on process and the physical properties of materials, creating works that are both visually engaging and conceptually rich.
2940 Portland Dr.
Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6H5W8
Khalifa Blvd, Dubai, UAE
[email protected]
