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").A140 : Abstracts Geometrical constructs: Hard Edge, Minimalism, Neo-Minimalism
From "Concrete Art" to "Minimalist Art", all shapes or colors treated in a strictly orthogonal way, reducing sensitivity to a minimum (Joseph Albers, Mondrian, Gorin, Ad Reinhardt, "monochromes" by Rodtchenko, Frank Stella, Peter Halley, J. Armleder, R.M. Trockel, ... and in sculpture; Carl André, Sol Lewitt, Tony Cragg, ...). A250 : Allusive a more inclusive, but lighter approach to the figurative
the figure is hinted at by the entangled shapes or from various abstract material elements (Mondrian, Kandinsky, Klee, the "footballers" by N. de Staël, ...), or by formal or coloured allusions ("Abtract Landscape Art"; Jean Bazaine, ...).
B axis : MATERIALITY
How does the materiality of what is shown come across?
(on a scale from more "immaterial" to more "real").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,...). B170 : Materiality
in painting, but also with all other materials with the following possibilities: unstructured unstructured combinations
free combinations of colour, matter and volumes in a more unstructured fashion (Alberto Burri, Manolo Millares, ...). B230 : Materiality
in painting, but also with all other materials with the following possibilities: Structured structured combinations
any combinations of lines, colours, matter or volumes of a more structured type (Michail Heizer, Anish Kapoor, Miguel Barceló, ...).
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").D110 : via what is meant with various spiritual or less marked religious influences
(from Barnett Newman to Mark Rothko, from Roman Opalka to Arnulf Rainer, ...). 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, ...).
MUSTACCHI
https://www.mustacchi-art.com |
