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The Spirit of Resistance in Nouvelle Figuration of the 1960s and 1970s France
Journal of History of Modern Art
2015,
(38), pp.259-286
DOI : 10.17057/kahoma.2015..38.011
Publisher : 현대미술사학회
Research Area : Art History
DOI : 10.17057/kahoma.2015..38.011
Publisher : 현대미술사학회
Research Area : Art History
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This study investigates the spirit of resistance that appeared in the 1960s and 1970s French Art, Nouvelle Figuration. Nouvelle Figuration shares certain stylistic similarities with the American Pop art and Hyper-realism. However, the works of Nouvelle Figuration reveal more directly the critical thought of the time and seek to disclose the absurdity and inequality of the contemporary society, influenced by the social condition and other artistic movements in France at the time. The artists of Nouvelle Figuration demonstrated their political opinions though various group exhibitions and activities of smaller scale. In order to express their political claims effectively, the artists used portraits of contemporary heroes, strong colors such as red as well as letters. They also adopted the rhetoric of satire by using humorous expressions found in cartoons. Furthermore, they used playful elements derived from parodies of the artworks considered to be important in art history and famous trademark images. In addition, the artists installed their works in everyday places so that they would be more accessible to the general public. Through such discussions, this study demonstrates that the spirit of resistance present in Nouvelle Figuration is an artistic reaction to the important historical and cultural issues of the French society in the 1960s and 1970s.
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