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Physically using materials
Physically using materials
In the Introduction chapter of"The Art of Cardboard” by Lori Zimmer, cardboard as a leftover for daily use is proposed to be a material for production or fine art. In this case, I think the physical use of materials is more involved.
The interesting point of physically using materials to me is that the structures and qualities of the materials themselves can be the key elements of the artworks but meanwhile, the unrecognizable altered version can also be incorporated in countless ways.
I think the way we use materials in my Digital Fabrication class (just as an example) is very straightforward -- we choose certain materials to accomplish our design goal and, at the same time, cope with the restrictions of the materials.
Some works of art also physically use the materials but with more focus on the physical characteristics of the material itself. American artist Tara Donovan is known for creating intricate installations using everyday materials like styrofoam cups, plastic straws, and pencils. By stacking, cutting, or arranging these materials in large quantities, Donovan creates mesmerizing and immersive artworks that challenge perceptions of ordinary objects.
There are also some artists that play with the incongruity effect by manipulating the materials in unrecognizable ways. Jacques Monneraud is a contemporary ceramic artist known for his remarkable ceramic vessels that meticulously mimic corrugated cardboard. Monneraud's ability to transform a fragile and temporary material like cardboard into durable ceramic objects is a testament to his technical skill and creativity. By meticulously replicating the textures, patterns, and imperfections of cardboard in ceramic form, he blurs the boundaries between two vastly different materials.
Styrofoam Cups Sculptures | Tara Donovan
cardboard-like ceramics | Jacques Monneraud
Conceptually using materials
Conceptually using materials
Speaking of conceptually using materials, the first case that came to my mind was the sculptures Kara Walker made, out of sugar. Even though the sugar was physically used, the conceptual use stood out to me. The use of sugar as the primary material in these sculptures was deeply symbolic and conceptual. Sugar has a complex history tied to slavery, colonialism, and exploitation. By using sugar, Walker brought attention to the historical and ongoing legacies of the sugar industry, particularly its connections to the transatlantic slave trade.
Another work of art we've looked into also fits this topic perfectly: Fountain by Duchamp. Duchamp's choice of a urinal as the artwork challenges the idea of what constitutes art. By taking a mass-produced, utilitarian object and recontextualizing it within the realm of art, Duchamp questions the notion of artistic skill and originality. Both as daily material, the urinal was introduced into the work very distinctively different from cardboard.
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