Second Assignment: maximalism
- Nov 4, 2016
- 1 min read
Once I got a good start on my minimalist piece I decided to concentrate on the maximalist 'Stand & Deliver' piece. I had no intention of linking these two in any way, except that they should be distinctly different from each other.
Just as the minimalist boats were more an exercise in shape and form and reflected my minimal emotional involvement with these pieces, the maximalist piece was to be highly personal and charged with emotion. I have decided to use my strong feelings about the Brexit vote earlier this year as a topic of this piece. This is not supposed to be highly balanced, refined and political response to the outcome of the referendum but a polemical outlet for my highly objective frustrations.
For this I returned to figurative work and am inspired by African 'tribal' sculptures. These, along with African masks, have always been something that fascinated me from childhood on. Here are some of my sketches copying African art:
And looking at full figures I am developing my own:
Here is a link to my rather theoretical thoughts that underpin the development of this piece - warning: it's a bit of a rant! link: Brexit a personal take on it
Your exploration of maximalism as a reaction against the constraints of minimalism is truly fascinating. I love the idea that more is more and that rich textures, bold colors, and complex patterns can create a much more expressive and personalized environment. It is refreshing to see an aesthetic that encourages us to embrace every detail rather than stripping things away to reach a sterile simplicity. In many ways, maximalism allows for a deeper narrative because it does not shy away from the complexity of different elements working together. This concept of embracing complex and multi-layered truths is something I also find very important when it comes to understanding our shared social history. Just as a maximalist space is made richer…
This is a fantastic breakdown of the maximalist aesthetic. I love how you mentioned that it is more about curation and expressing personality through bold choices. In a maximalist space, every single piece should have its own character and story. I often look for artisanal goods to fill those roles, such as the handcrafted items from LVH Leather because their attention to detail and premium quality really stand out in a busy room. It is refreshing to see a post that celebrates vibrant colors and rich details in modern homes.