Reading through the text helped me realize that Graphic Design, although new in name and the grand scheme of things, isn’t as tied into modern media as I originally thought. I’ve heard of a few of these time periods in relation to general art and it’s fascinating to learn about them in more depth and in relation to Graphic Design. It makes sense that much of art history ties into all forms of art and that Graphic Design has strong ties.
Aestheticism (1870-1914)
Aestheticism fascinates me because, in my opinion, the intent behind it is nearly impossible to actually go through with. Despite claims that art exists only for the sake of itself, it is impossible for a person not to include their subconscious views and ideologies in their work. Beliefs shape how we as unique human beings interpret and showcase the world around us. That said, aestheticism is still very much around today, though it may be in a collage of different types. Aesthetics and beauty are a large part of creativity; from catching the eye of a potential beta reader to expressing emotion, and aestheticism often overlapped with other forms as shown by Edward Burne-Jones, an artist known for his work in both aestheticism and romanticism.
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- Pierrot and the Cat – Aubrey Beardsley
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- The Briarwood – Edward Burne-Jones
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- Elizabeth Siddal Seated at an Easel – Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Cubism (1907-1921)
Cubism is another that catches my interest because it has ties into science; specifically, Einstein’s theory of relativity. One of my favorite things in psychology is how each human being has a unique perspective and viewpoint thanks to a unique set of memories and experiences. Cubism captures the concept of those unique perspectives and viewpoints through abstract representation and the formation of new realities. Georges Braque, an artist that is considered one of the creators of cubism, combined unique mediums and styles by using “papier collé (pasted paper)” (Braque, Career Success) to create pieces in the cubist style.
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- Jacqueline Kneeling – Pablo Picasso
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- I and the Village – Marc Chagall
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- Woman with a Guitar – Georges Braque
Dada (1916-1923)
Dada was more than an art form; it was a movement. A reaction to the world. Dada interests me because its intent is to be the opposite of prior traditions. It is a political movement and the complete opposite of aestheticism. I’ve always been drawn to media with purpose; whether it’s political or not. Many of my favorite musicians and bands, such as Nothing But Thieves, exist and/or use their platform to speak up on the issues of society and draw attention to them. NBT’s lyrics remind me a lot of Dada because they are blunt and force consumers to face themselves; to truly think about the world. Although simply talking about something doesn’t fix it, it is a vital first step.
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- Portrait of a Doctor – Frances Picabia
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- Self-portrait with Dada Head – Sophie Taeuber-Arp
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- Bicycle Wheel – Marcel Duchamp
Surrealism (1924-1955)
Surrealism also ties into my interests in psychology due to its shocking and surprising depictions and the influence of Karl Marx. It’s often my favorite form of storytelling; in books, movies, and especially videogames. Emmanuel Radnitzky’s process of camera-less photography is incredible; he created unique effects such as shadows and shapes, simply using light on the photo paper. The use of psychology to catch the eye of a viewer is a tactic that’s worked throughout the centuries and has come into use in graphic design today.
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- The Germination – Toyen
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- Tomorrow is Never – Kay Sage
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- Spirit of the Sunflower – Valentine Hugo
Final Thoughts
Surrealism is definitely my favorite out of the art movements, and not just out of the four I’ve mentioned here. However, many of the art forms I chose strongly relate to my personal beliefs and interests. Each has impacted my life thanks to my exposure to art through my mom and the internet. These art forms shape the media I love, such as many psychological horror games, novel introductions, and even music.
