Stock take Painting

Modernism

Piet Mondrian

Modernism is a broad based movement that started in the late 1800s right through until the late 1900s. The Artist I have decided to research is Piet Mondrian, a leading member of the De Stijl movement. Many of his works involve black grid patterns intersected with vivid sections of primary colour, which is boldly displayed in a geometrical composition.

Mondrian created a style of working that disallowed three-dimensional space and curved lines. He uses very simple elements and shifts them around on a blank canvas until he creates in his mind a perfectly balanced composition. The aim of his work was to create laws within his art discipline that would reflect the order of the universe. I feel Mondrian’s work is very strong and overpowering. I admire the way he created disciplines in his own art practice, this idea alone is a vital part of the modernist movement.

References-

The Art Book- Phaidon, page 321

ISBN 978-0-7148-3625-6

...ISMS understanding Art- Stephan Little, page 98

ISBN 978-0-7136-7011-0

"Do not strive to be a modern artist: it's the one thing unfortunately you can't help being."

(Salvador Dali)

I feel this is a strong quote and it enphasizes the broadness of modernism as a movement, after browsing through alot of quotes there appears to be a very blured meaning behind the movement. I feel Modernism naturally progressed as artists began to become more open minded to what art is and how it can be exhibited in a far more original style. Modernism is hugely based on experimental art meaning all artists from the first half of the 20th Century could instantly be placed in the "Modernist movement".

Salvador Dali was a huge influence on Surrealism, a movement within the Modernist time that started in 1924. This quote also references to the fact that being an artist in a particular time will have a huge influence on your work, the key part being that your unaware of your influences from everyday life, as culture plays a huge part in movements, particularly Modernism. I think the key information I get from this quote is whatever time/ century your an artist you will in at least some ways be inspired by your surroundings and culture, this will determine the kind of artist you are and therefore make you a "Modern" artist.

Spartacus Chetwynd- Folding House

A raised platform with a box shaped den made from collected window panes and materials. It has been built in the middle of the gallery space, This means it can be viewed from all angles. I believe most viewers will be able to relate to this piece in their own way. For me it brings back childhood memories of collecting scrap materials and making use of them in an imaginative way, for example building dens and hideaways.

All the materials used are well worn, and it's clearly visable that all materials have all had previous purposes. I like the clashing, recyled fabrics used to cover the doors, as you get a real sense of what the artist is trying to achieve which is the placement of scrap materials rather than a visually pleasing piece.

I viewed this piece of artwork at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery in The British Art Show 7.

If you are interested in the British Art Show 7 head on down to the Museum or visit http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/creativityandculture/artdevelopment/artsprojects/britishartsshow.htm

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