JEAN DUBUFFET - THE DEEP END

Summary

Jean Dubuffet, a pivotal post-World War II European artist, is celebrated for his innovative approach to art, often using non-traditional materials and challenging viewers' perceptions. Born in 1901, Dubuffet's work spanned various mediums, including paintings, sculptures, and lithographs, showcasing his unique style and theoretical reflections on culture. The exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum features his pieces from the 1940s to the 1970s, highlighting his 'L'Hourloupe' series and his use of styrofoam for sculptures, inviting viewers to experience a transformed visual vocabulary and reconsider their surroundings.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Jean Dubuffet was a pioneering artist in post-World War II Europe, known for his innovative and unconventional approach to art.
• 🌟 Born in 1901 in Le Havre, Normandy, Dubuffet moved to Paris in 1918 to study art but only truly settled there in 1942.
• 🔢 Over a 40-year period, Dubuffet produced an extensive body of work, creating around 10,000 pieces.
• 🤔 He challenged traditional artistic norms, focusing on the overlooked and mundane aspects of life, encouraging viewers to see the world differently.
• 🌿 His work often incorporated non-artistic materials, such as butterfly wings, leaves, and found objects, reflecting his interest in nature and 'outsider art'.
• 🖼 The exhibition features two main narratives: the works acquired by the museum and Dubuffet's exploration of perception and disorientation.
• 📜 Dubuffet's 'L'Hourloupe' series, spanning from 1962 to the mid-1970s, was inspired by doodles he made while on the phone, which he then developed into paintings and sculptures.
• 🏛 He experimented with materials like styrofoam, creating both small sculptures and large-scale installations that transformed the viewer's spatial perception.
• 📚 Dubuffet was not only an artist but also a theorist, writing books and giving lectures on culture and his own artistic practice.
• 👀 The exhibition invites viewers to immerse themselves in Dubuffet's work, potentially becoming more sensitive to their surroundings and perception of everyday objects.

Q & A

Who is Jean Dubuffet and why is he significant?

Jean Dubuffet is an important artist who emerged in Europe after World War II. He was born in 1901 in Le Havre, Normandy, and became known for his relentless work ethic, producing around 10,000 works over a 40-year period. He is significant for his innovative approach to art, using non-traditional materials and subject matters, and for his influence on the art world.

What was Dubuffet's approach to art-making?

Dubuffet's approach was to create something new and different from what had been done before. He was not interested in conforming to established artistic styles such as Cubism or Surrealism and sought to make art that was outside the norm.

What materials did Dubuffet use in his art?

Dubuffet used a variety of materials in his art, including non-artistic ones. He worked with butterfly wings, leaves, moss, grass, and even styrofoam to create his sculptures and paintings.

What is the significance of the 'L'Hourloupe' series in Dubuffet's work?

The 'L'Hourloupe' series is significant because it represents a period when Dubuffet was exploring the use of small, doodle-like figures on contrasting backgrounds. These figures came to life and transformed his visual vocabulary, leading to both paintings and sculptures.

How did Dubuffet's work aim to disorientate viewers?

Dubuffet's work aimed to disorientate viewers by focusing on elements that are often overlooked, such as the sand on the ground or small pebbles. This focus was intended to transform the viewer's perception of the world when they look back at it.

What is the 'Deep End' in relation to Dubuffet's work?

The 'Deep End' refers to a part of the exhibition that showcases Dubuffet's work from the 1960s and 1970s, which includes paintings, sculptures, and multiples from the 'L'Hourloupe' series. These works are characterized by their swirling, anarchic lines that challenge the viewer's perception of space.

What can visitors expect from the exhibition of Dubuffet's work?

Visitors to the exhibition can expect to see a variety of Dubuffet's works, including paintings, sculptures, and lithographs from the 1940s to the 1970s. They can also expect to experience a transformation in their perception and sensitivity towards their surroundings.

How did Dubuffet's work evolve over time?

Dubuffet's work evolved from focusing on overlooked elements in the 1940s and 1950s to developing the 'L'Hourloupe' series in the 1960s and 1970s, which involved creating figures and scenes from doodles and carving styrofoam for sculptures.

What was Dubuffet's role in the art world beyond being an artist?

Beyond being an artist, Dubuffet was also a theorist who wrote books about culture, gave lectures, and wrote about his own artistic practice. He was reflective and contributed to the discourse around art during his time.

What is the curator's hope for visitors of the Dubuffet exhibition?

The curator hopes that visitors will take their time to explore Dubuffet's work, become more sensitive to their surroundings, and perhaps carry with them a changed perspective on how they view the world after experiencing the exhibition.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Jean Dubuffet: The Innovative Artist

Jean Dubuffet was a pioneering artist who emerged as a significant figure in Europe post-World War II. Born in 1901 in Le Havre, Normandy, he moved to Paris in 1918 to study art but faced multiple setbacks before settling in Paris in 1942. Dubuffet was relentless in his work, producing over 10,000 pieces across a 40-year period. He challenged the official mentality and traditional art forms, incorporating non-artistic materials into his work. His art varied greatly in medium and format, including classical subjects like nudes, still lifes, and landscapes. The exhibition at the Staaleek Museum features 16 paintings, one sculpture, and several series of lithographs from the 1940s to the 70s, acquired under two directors, William Sandburg and Eddie de Ville de. Dubuffet's work aimed to disorientate viewers, focusing on overlooked elements like sand and pebbles, and using principles of assemblage with materials like butterfly wings and leaves. His later works, from the 60s and 70s, introduced the 'L'Hourloupe' series, inspired by doodles on a notepad, which transformed into lively figures and sculptures using styrofoam.

05:02

🗿 Sculptural Innovations and Theoretical Reflections

Dubuffet's work with styrofoam marked a significant shift, allowing him to create both small sculptures and monumental pieces, including architectural installations. His sculptures were designed to disorient the viewer's perception, replacing traditional horizontal and vertical lines with swirling, anarchic forms. Dubuffet was not only an artist but also a theorist, deeply reflective about his practice. He wrote extensively about culture and art, giving lectures and books that provide insight into his thought process. He was part of the surrealist movement in the 1920s in France, but he chose a different path, taking about twenty years to develop an artistic style that aligned with his outsider perspective. The exhibition encourages visitors to immerse themselves in Dubuffet's work, potentially becoming more sensitive to their surroundings and the way they perceive the world. The experience is meant to be transformative, prompting viewers to see the world differently.

Keywords

💡Folk Art

Folk art refers to artistic expressions that are created by individuals outside of the conventional art world, often reflecting traditional or cultural values. In the context of the video, Jean Dubuffet's work is connected to folk art as he utilized non-traditional materials and themes that were more closely tied to everyday life and the natural world, which is exemplified by his use of materials like butterfly wings and leaves.

💡Assemblage

Assemblage is an artistic technique where found objects or materials are put together to create a new work of art. The video mentions that Dubuffet worked with the principle of assemblage, using natural elements like moss and grass found on the ground to create his 'botanical elements' paintings, which showcases his innovative approach to art making.

💡Styrene

Styrene, also known as styrofoam, is a lightweight material that Dubuffet discovered he could carve and use for his sculptures. The video explains that this material allowed him to create both small sculptures and monumental works, indicating a significant shift in his artistic practice and a key development in his creative expression.

💡Landscapes

Landscapes are a traditional subject matter in art, representing natural scenery. The script mentions that Dubuffet used classical subject matters such as landscapes in his work, but he did so in a way that was innovative and distinct from traditional approaches, as part of his broader exploration of non-traditional artistic methods.

💡Nude

The nude is a classic theme in art, often used to explore the human form. In the video, it is noted that Dubuffet's work included nudes, but his approach was likely unconventional, given his tendency to challenge traditional artistic norms and his use of non-artistic materials.

💡Still Lifes

Still life is a genre of art that depicts inanimate objects, typically arranged in a composition. The video script indicates that Dubuffet's work encompassed still lifes, suggesting his engagement with traditional artistic genres while infusing them with his unique style and innovative techniques.

💡Jean Dubuffet

Jean Dubuffet is a central figure in the video, described as one of the most important European artists after World War II. Born in 1901, he is known for his relentless work ethic and his innovative use of materials and themes, which significantly contributed to the development of modern art.

💡Outsider Art

Outsider art is a term used to describe art created by individuals not formally trained in the traditional artistic techniques and who are often self-taught. The video suggests that Dubuffet can be considered an 'outsider' in the sense that he did not conform to the mainstream artistic styles of his time, such as cubism or surrealism, and instead developed his own unique approach.

💡Cultural Theorist

A cultural theorist is someone who analyzes and writes about culture, often critiquing and theorizing about cultural practices and artifacts. The video highlights that Dubuffet was not only an artist but also a theorist, indicating his deep engagement with and reflection on the cultural significance of his work and the broader art world.

💡Surrealism

Surrealism is an artistic and literary movement that began in the 1920s, characterized by its exploration of the irrational and the subconscious. The video mentions that Dubuffet was active during the time of surrealism in France, but he chose not to align with this style, instead seeking to create art that was distinct and reflective of his own vision.

💡Exhibition

An exhibition is a public display of art, often in a museum or gallery. The video discusses an exhibition of Dubuffet's work, which includes paintings, sculptures, and lithographs, providing viewers with an opportunity to engage with his art and the themes he explored throughout his career.

Highlights

Jean Dubuffet was a pioneering artist in post-World War II Europe, known for his innovative approach to art.

Born in 1901 in Le Havre, Normandy, Dubuffet moved to Paris in 1918 to study art but faced several failed attempts before settling there in 1942.

Dubuffet was prolific, producing around 10,000 works over a 40-year period.

He was known for his anti-establishment mentality and his desire to create something new rather than confirm past artistic achievements.

Dubuffet's work often incorporated non-artistic materials, reflecting his varied and interesting artistic practice.

The exhibition showcases two stories: the works acquired by the museum and Dubuffet's approach to disorienting viewers.

Dubuffet's early works in the 1940s and 1950s focused on making viewers look downwards, noticing details often overlooked.

He worked with the principle of assemblage, using found materials like butterfly wings and leaves to create art.

Dubuffet's work in the 1960s and 1970s introduced the 'L'Hourloupe' series, which began with doodles on a notepad.

The 'L'Hourloupe' series evolved into paintings and sculptures, transforming the visual vocabulary of Dubuffet's world.

Dubuffet experimented with materials like styrofoam to create sculptures that connected with his paintings.

His sculptures were designed to disorient perception, challenging the conventional horizontal and vertical lines that divide space.

Dubuffet was a theorist as well as an artist, writing about culture and his own practice.

He was part of the surrealism movement in the 1920s but sought to create art that was distinctly his own.

The exhibition encourages viewers to take their time and become more sensitive to how they perceive their surroundings.

Transcripts

what is one - the foreman artist is he

invents new things and not to confirm

what has already been done by order of

in the past the contrary you must do

something new so Jean Dubuffet was one

of the most important artists to appear

in Europe after World War two he was

born in 1901 in love in Normandy he

moved in 1918 to Paris to study art but

it's only after several failed attempts

to become an artist that he really

settled in Paris in 1942 and started to

work relentlessly producing some 10,000

works over a 40-year period to defend

safety je have an official mentality all

idea have five to pinioning some per se

worker ants half of for the collection

for today like baby be fair in spirit

adore the the Nifty de coca canard

harder for Dasia concern and led build

in the incest economic structure over

here folk art this D - tailing brief

gnarly reefer going to totally marker

that I read uncle priest and devious

notable achievements on Hill for their

the flavor I would say leaking jail and

the particular source with an enormous

American

it's hard to describe his work in

general because he produced work in lots

of different mediums lots of different

formats he used often very classical

subject matters you have nude you have

still lifes you have landscapes but he

used a lot of non artistic materials

over the years so technically he was a

very interesting and varied artist what

there is to see in the exhibition is

basically two stories that I'm telling

one story is simply the works that the

staleek Museum acquired from gbff

there's 16 paintings one sculpture

several series of lithographs which are

dated from the 1940s to the 70s and they

span two directors William Sandburg and

Eddie de ville de and the other story

which I call Dubuffet the deep end is a

story of how do we fit in his work tries

to disorientate viewers first in the in

the 40s and 50s by making people look

downwards he makes you focus on things

that people don't normally noticed you

know the the sand on the ground the

little pebbles things like that so he

makes you focus on that which means that

then when you look back at the world

your vision is transformed he worked

with the principle of assemblage so at

some point in his life he used butterfly

wings at another point he gathered

leaves on the ground and he made

paintings which he called botanical

elements which are made of pieces of

nature of moss of grass found on the

ground and put together in a painting

Glenwood blocks a blood bank book we

have dogs and blundering the idiot

efficient design but the heroes in giant

wave Erica Alito a collage from do BFF

said to a vehicle come act of Melandri

the inner hate their front and honor is

autumn and sunbathing maintenance after

smacked death workers zine Hill cat's

paw and shake our ships under microscope

correct and matter craft on the Onizuka

of this virtue be helped under ERISA and

gone the owner own death there could be

cake and expertise intervene in 2013 and

then by the Kew Gardens in London Tacoma

they have the our photo document on see

the invasive is in a museum fabric and

the officially met the health to stand

from the work and I'm home from the

paralyzing and the vicunas endured a

banner of healing blood for this is her

waist and the burger fries the bill

saying

so in the works from the 60s and the 70s

one thing that's interesting is that you

see different paintings and sculptures

and also some multiples from the series

called loot loop is the cycle that

occupies do be fair for about ten years

from 1962 to 1973 74 and the the origin

of the old loop is that he was on the

telephone one day and he started

doodling on a notepad he then realized

that when you put them on on a

contrasting background suddenly created

little figures that were very much alive

so he developed little drawings like

this and then these drawings became

paintings and suddenly the whole world

was transformed by him into this visual

vocabulary after making paintings he

discovered this material called

styrofoam and he realized that he could

carve out of blocks of styrofoam and

make sculptures connected to these

paintings of the over loop and that was

the starting point for not only smaller

sculptures but also monumental works

even little architectures in which you

could walk around epazote and they stood

and arseling the deep end in its daily

crew Jane met vehicle from do be fair

article XE from Silicon Jane it's a term

final edited or swing for devarakonda be

fair Platt swings in an action game and

Hinda logical to UDF's come act in the

town as I have laughs you know I think

of these sculptures as as really objects

that completely disoriented your

perception suddenly your world is no

longer made of horizontal and vertical

lines that divide space but they are

this kind of swirling anarchic lines and

the ideas that you see the works a

little bit differently

Dubuffet was in fact somebody who really

thought about what he was doing he was

highly reflexive because he was a

theorist as well as being an artist he

wrote books about culture he gave

lectures he wrote about his own practice

so you have to imagine that Dubuffet was

around at the time of surrealism in the

20s in France he knew everyone he

circulated in different artistic circles

he saw what was being done but he didn't

fit in he didn't want to make art and

the style of cubism or surrealism he

needed something like twenty years in

order to find the kind of art he could

make that for him made him enter in art

but being an outsider insane that is to

say it we know of the culture and we

know the normal to make something non

normal I think that that is what is

wanted from an artist to make something

no longer except render people should

see the exhibition because it's not a

huge exhibition so people can really

take their time to look at different

works and really bathe in this

atmosphere of do buffets work just maybe

become more sensitive to the way in

which they walk the way in which they

look at things around them that is

something that I'd be happy for people

to take with them

[Music]

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