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Set Project: Theme research

I decided to move forward with beginning with the Set Project this term.

It was my greatest mistake that I had began with ideas and process much later than I expected. Afterwards, I could not catch up with finalisation and reflection. 

In this term, I would like to work on the theme: ''Primitivism. Enjoy a ride into the past''. The final version will be made up of four 2D and one 3D outcomes.

This post I separated as a research for the 2D work.

As a reflection, I was surprised by the extended possibilities to start with. I would not concern the ''Oriental Surprise'' because my prior project was about Native Americans. Also, the ''Ultimate Black'' can turn me back rather than give me endless possibilities with an illustration.

Primitivism is on the top of my favourite art movements. The most admired artist - Paul Gauguin has begun the new folk notion. He left France during Impressionist's pick period and moved to Tahiti. There, he concentrated on producing paintings inspired by local craftsmen, rejecting Western civilisation. He separates his thoughts to create as much as he can, close to nature and people's moral purity around him. 

Gauguin's art can be generalised as a connective entity. Not only him ''invented'' the ethnological term in avant-garde establishment. Henri Rousseau (1844-1910) can be referred to as a member of Naive art - characterized by uncomplicated style or a trademark of the untrained artists. But this unusual tendency was full of experimentation. Distortions of the form, unregular shapes and contrasting colours as an object of fascination after imperial control in the late 19th century. 

I can only imagine, the feeling of young sensitive souls after seen the artefacts from Asia, Africa or Oceania. In those times, those things were exhibited or sold. Therefore, shortly, the ethnological museums were opening around Europe. To feed artist's desire, young avant-garde explorers managing to transit this ethnicity in regards to create a new, fascinating fraction. It has definitely beaten the privilege of Academic art. Recognised as a classic, well-mannered fraction full of dignity.

Henri Rousseau, The snake Charmer, 1907

This painting shows depiction of a woman playing on the flute by the edge of the dark jungle. There is a lot of inspiration of the exotic places (including animals and vegetation). Apparently Rousseau never crossed his home country. He made this painting after regular visits to the Jardin des plantes and from magazines. 

A I mentioned irregular and modern Gauguin's attitude, I explain it on basis of his painting.

Paul Gauguin, Arearea, 1892

I took the most cognitive symbol, presenting the atmosphere of Thatian reality. This piece is simplified by using flat planes of colour, especially on the background. He created simple forms in almost abstract effect. He exaggerated forms with intensive colours. But in well consisted strategy. The darkest part evoking anxiety, but the brightest familiarize the viewer with the surroundings. The distinctive subject is rarely a woman. The painter wanted to show intimate and natural beauty. It definitely enables Western civilization to take a sight of what the tribe culture is like. I can summarize his intends as an introduction to a pure, natural, exotic world. 


References:
anonymous,. (2021) The Snake Charmer (Rousseau) - Wikipedia. [Online] Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Snake_Charmer_(Rousseau) [Accessed 10/4/2021]
FARTHING, S. and CORK, R. (2010) Art: the Whole Story. 1st ed. London: Thames & Hudson
ROUSSEAU, H. The Snake Charmer. [Oil on canvas] In: (1907)Paris: Musee d'Orsay,
GAUGUIN, P. Arearea. [Oil on canvas] In: (1892)Paris: Musee d'Orsay,

Comments

  1. Sam Dargan10 April 2021 at 22:44

    Some good ideas here, particularly like your sources, Gauguin and Rousseau. Rousseau's wife, Clemence Boitard was also a painter and they influenced each other (you can see it in her work). Might also be worth looking at Antonio Ligabue as another point of reference - a less well known artist, but has visual and thematic links with Rousseau.

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