Group Leader: Robert Sedgley
Email Address: talking.art@u3ajavea.com or rasart29@outlook.com
Meeting Venue: Javea Players Studio, Carrer del Cronista Figueras Pacheco 6, Javea
Meeting Day and Time: Fourth Tuesday of the month, 11am to 12pm Cost 2€ per person
Accepts new members: Yes, but contact Robert first before attending.
- Next meeting: Suprematism and Constructivism. Tuesday 22nd April.
Click for further information.
in Space No4 1957-55
“The shapes we are creating are not abstract, they are absolute. They are released from any already existent thing in nature and their content lies in themselves.”– Gabo
“What we cannot express by the art of thinking, by the art of science or philosophy or logic, we can and should express by the poetic, visual, or some other arts.”– Gabo
“A painted surface is a real, living form.” – Malevich
“In 1913, trying desperately to liberate art from the ballast of the representational world, I sought refuge in the form of the square.”– Malevich
“The artist constructs a new symbol with his brush. This symbol is not a recognizable form of anything which is already finished, already made, already existing in the world – it is a symbol of a new world, which is being built upon and which exists by way of people.”– El Lisitzsky
“I reduced painting to its logical conclusion and exhibited three canvases: red, blue, and yellow. I affirmed: this is the end of painting.“– Rodchenko
Suprematism and Constructivism were two revolutionary Russian art movements in the early twentieth century. Although superficially similar they in fact had quite different aims.
Founded by artist Kazimir Malevich in 1913 Suprematism focused on the fundamentals of geometry painted in a limited range of colours. The term suprematism refers to an abstract art based upon “the supremacy of pure artistic feeling” rather than on visual depiction of objects. Its philosophy was to bring about a spiritual renaissance rather than a practical benefit to society. At first embraced by the new Soviet government it was later condemned as bourgeoise.
Constructivism was founded in 1915 Vladimir Tatlin and Alexander Rodchenko. Abstract and austere, constructivist art aimed to reflect modern industrial and urban space.Th e movement rejected decorative stylization in favour of the industrial assemblage of materials. Constructivists were in favour of art for propaganda and social purposes, and were associated with Soviet socialism and the Russian avant-garde.
”Art has the power to help economies thrive, to educate and enrich societies, and to create greater cultural understanding. We are reminded now more than ever of the power of the arts….We believe in the restorative power of the arts….” – advertisement by the Bank of America.
Talking Art Meetings
The meeting takes the form of an illustrated talk of about fifty minutes or so with time afterwards for questions or discussion. We are concentrating on the Modern period, from the end of the nineteenth century; but any period, movement or particular artist may be focused on, pondered and discussed if a member requests.
In a recent Norwegian scientific paper, looking at of two groups of pensioners, it was discovered that those who looked regularly at artworks, and in particular modern ones with brighter colours, found a marked improvement in their health and general sense of well being. So there it is: ART IS GOOD FOR YOU.
Whether you are an experienced gallery goer or sporadic sightseer and would like to know a little more about art, about why a painting or sculpture is considered an important cultural icon, or wish to expand your present knowledge and look a little deeper into the background, the techniques and the lives of the artists, Talking Art is the space for the adventure. Come and join in the conversation or just listen and enjoy.
If you find Nigel Spivey’s subtitle – how humans made art and art made us human – to his Television Series (2005) How Art Made the World puzzling, and a challenge to your ideas, then the monthly meetings are for you.
Past Meetings
Below you will find links to documents which contain the detailed presentations given at past meetings. Remember to save these to your device if you want to keep a copy.
