Saturday, February 2, 2013

Innovation in Modern Art


Innovation in Modern Art

Gustave Moreau's The Apparition in comparison with Matthew Fox's embroidered x-rays


What I believe most separates The Apparition from other works of its time is the style that the materials are presented in. the artist was able to transcend the realm that simply paint exists in with the carving out from the paint, a design in the background. In this way, Moreau is able to stay within the lines of traditional art in a subject matter which is relevant to the bible while putting his own spin on the presentation, both in the storyline and aesthetics of the picture. When I consider art today, the ability to do this is essential in order to separate one’s art from the many other pieces that are presented today. I believe this trend is something that started, or was at least catapulted forward from Modern Art. Starting arguably from impressionism, art was no longer seen as a contest of how much detail and precision an artist could convey in the image or work they are representing, but how they could do something which no other artist had tackled previously. Moreau certainly does this with The Apparition. One modern Artist’s works reminded me greatly of Moreau. Matthew Fox’s creations involve stitching on x-rays. These beautiful works take something seen as utilitarian and clinical, and redefine them by using embroidery. Although hundreds of years between each other, Fox and Moreau both re-evaluate the use of material and content in art in order to create innovation.


A work of Matthew Fox
Part of The Apparition, with etching in the background

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