The material turn in art history is a shift away from traditional art historical methods that focus on visual analysis and interpretation, to a more holistic approach that incorporates the physical properties of an artwork. It emphasizes the importance of materials and their role in creating meaning in art. This shift has been helpful in understanding the context of artworks, their impact on society, and how they have influenced artistic practices throughout history.
The material turn began to emerge in the late 20th century as a result of a growing interest in craft and material culture studies. Art historians began to look beyond the traditional elements of form, composition, and style to consider how materials could contribute to an artwork’s meaning.
This included looking at the physical properties of materials such as texture, color, shape, weight, and structure, as well as exploring how they were used by artists. Increasingly art historians sought to understand how materials were used not only for aesthetic purposes but also for symbolic or ideological ones.
As part of this shift, new methodologies were developed that incorporated both theoretical approaches and empirical research into art history. These included examining objects through close visual analysis and using scientific techniques such as X-ray diffraction or Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to study material properties. Art historians also began engaging with other disciplines such as archaeology or anthropology to gain further insight into how materials were used in different cultures across time and space.
The material turn has been particularly significant for contemporary art where the use of unconventional materials is often central to an artist’s practice. Artists such as Rachel Whiteread use everyday objects like furniture or domestic items to create site-specific installations that explore ideas about memory and nostalgia; while Anselm Kiefer employs unconventional materials like lead or straw to comment on historical events or explore larger philosophical questions about existence. By considering these works through a material lens, we can gain greater insight into their meaning and importance within contemporary culture.
The material turn has provided an important new perspective for understanding artworks both past and present by showing us how materials can be used to communicate meaning beyond what is visible on the surface. It has allowed us to appreciate the complexity of artistic practice by taking into account all aspects of an artwork’s creation – from its physical properties right down to its cultural context – enabling us to look at works with fresh eyes.
What Is The Material Turn In Art History?
The material turn in art history is a shift away from traditional methods that prioritise visual analysis towards a more holistic approach which takes into account physical properties and cultural contexts when interpreting an artwork’s meaning. By considering these factors we are able to gain greater insight into both past works as well as those being created today – allowing us appreciate them with fresh eyes.