The classification provides four or more codes placed on four axis (A - formalism, B - matériality, C - involvement body/mind, D - communication). These codes are positionning the artist in the art history. A axis : FORMALISM When looking at the work, what type of formalisation first strikes the eye? Is it more abstract or more figurative, etc ? (on a scale from more "immaterial" to more "realist").A180 : Abstracts not constructed / informal material / splodges from the most "Nuagist" to the most "Matter informalist" all types of play on the subtle properties of the painting medium and its coloured spaces (Zao Wou Ki, Sam Francis, Ben-Rath, …). A190 : Abstracts not constructed / informal mixed (between "Matter informalist", "Tachism" and "Action Painting" (Willem De Kooning, Clifford Still, Antoni Tapiès, Bengt Lindström, Riopelle, Olivier Debré, ...). A240 : Allusive inclusion of figures (or real objects ) in the abstract More or less realistic figurative elements, more or less important but not going beyond details in a predominantly abstract work (Fernand Léger, Jan Voss, Antoni Tàpies, W. De Kooning, the "Combine Paintings" of R.Rauschenberg, ...).
B axis : MATERIALITY How does the materiality of what is shown come across? (on a scale from more "immaterial" to more "real").B140 : Materiality in painting, but also with all other materials with the following possibilities: unstructured with colours predominant by their intrinsic strength (Mondrian, ... ) or their historic and social symbolism (El Lissitzky, ...), etc., the colours are the most important thing here. B150 : Materiality in painting, but also with all other materials with the following possibilities: unstructured with matter predominant by its thickness, its composition or the way they are built up, matter here has pride of place (J. Fautrier, J. Dubuffet, J.P. Riopelle, and objects by Bertrand Lavier, ...). B180 : Materiality in painting, but also with all other materials with the following possibilities: mixed materiality: structured / unstructured when a work is "structured" in its "lack of structure", and vice versa (repetition of forms, signs, matter ... Viallat, Toroni, Degottex, Hantaï,...).
C axis : INVOLVEMENT BODY/ MIND With what body:mind ratio does the artist enter into his work? Classify from the most "intellectual" (e.g."Concept Art"...) to the most "physical" (e.g. "Body Art", ...).C120 : towards the intellectual side/ the essence of things inward looking work chiefly oriented towards: projective dreams, poetry, lyricism, psychedelic experience … to "project" an inner world (Henri Michaux, Wols, ...).
D axis : COMMUNICATION Does the artist have the deliberate intention to convey a message of any sort through his work? (classified from the most "mystical" to the most "worldly").D115 : via what is meant in various narrations or symbolisms whatever they may be allegorical, metaphorical (J. Beuys' "materials", ...), analytical (Mario Merz's "Fibonacci series", or those of Robert Filliou, ...), critical (from Henri Cueco to Hans Haacke or Guillaume Bijl, ...). BARLAS Frédérique www.frederique-barlas.net |