HOW TO SEE | Sophie Taeuber-Arp

Summary

Sophie Taeuber-Arp, a multidisciplinary artist, is explored through the exhibition 'Living Abstraction' at MoMA. Anne Umland, a senior curator, discusses Taeuber-Arp's journey from applied artist to abstract pioneer, using basic geometric forms to create dynamic compositions. Her involvement with the Dada movement and the evolution of her work, especially during WWII, is highlighted. Despite hardships, she continued creating, reflecting a deep-seated urge to beautify the world, which is as relevant today as it was in her time.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Sophie Taeuber-Arp was a multi-disciplinary artist whose work spanned various creative fields but was not widely recognized in her time.
• 🎨 Abstraction for Taeuber-Arp was deeply connected to everyday life, as she created objects and designs with practical uses and interactive spaces.
• 🔍 Initially, she aimed to establish herself as an applied artist and craftsperson, but later discovered a new language of abstraction through her textile grids.
• 📏 Her work evolved from basic vertical and horizontal grid structures to more dynamic and animated compositions using tessellated squares.
• 👩‍🏫 Taeuber-Arp taught textile and embroidery design, encouraging students to return to fundamental principles and explore simple divisions and color applications.
• 🎭 She was an active participant in the Dada movement, which was anti-bourgeois and protested the rationality culture that led to World War I's devastation.
• 🪆 Taeuber-Arp's puppet designs for 'King Stag' in 1918 broke from tradition, using geometric components and visible joints to reimagine the human form.
• 🇫🇷 Moving to Paris allowed her to focus more on fine arts, where she maintained structure along horizontal and vertical axes but introduced subtle irregularities for dynamic compositions.
• 🚫 During World War II, fleeing from Paris led to a shift in her work, with the disappearance of grids and the emergence of free-flowing, lyrical colored pencil drawings.
• 🔍 These later works showcased a balance between the freedom of movement and precise planning, reflecting her ability to find joy in creation amidst hardship.
• 💔 Sophie Taeuber-Arp's life ended tragically at 53 due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and evolving art.

Q & A

Who is Sophie Taeuber-Arp and why is she significant in the art world?

Sophie Taeuber-Arp was a multidisciplinary artist known for her work across various creative roles. She is significant for her contributions to abstraction, applied arts, and her innovative approach to design and teaching.

What is the connection between Sophie Taeuber-Arp's abstraction and everyday reality?

Sophie Taeuber-Arp's abstraction was connected to everyday reality through her creation of objects and designs meant to be handled, touched, and manipulated, as well as the spaces she designed for people to move about in.

What was Sophie Taeuber-Arp's initial career intent?

Sophie Taeuber-Arp initially intended to make a name for herself as an applied artist and a craftsperson.

How did Sophie Taeuber-Arp's work evolve from textile grids to a new language of abstraction?

She realized that the elemental structure of her textile grids could be used to create a new language of abstraction, translating basic vertical and horizontal lines into vibrant, dynamic compositions using colored paper elements.

What was Sophie Taeuber-Arp's teaching approach at the local trade school in Zurich?

She taught textile and embroidery design, encouraging her students to return to the basics and start over, focusing on simple divisions and pure color use in their designs.

How did the Dada movement influence Sophie Taeuber-Arp's work and life?

The Dada movement, which was anti-bourgeois and protested the rationality that led to World War I, introduced Sophie Taeuber-Arp to new artistic circles. She participated in their events and created puppets for Dada performances, re-imagining the human body with geometric components.

What was the impact of moving to Paris on Sophie Taeuber-Arp's artistic practice?

In Paris, Sophie Taeuber-Arp was freed from her teaching obligations, allowing her to devote more time to her fine arts practice. Her work still maintained a clear structure along horizontal and vertical axes but introduced subtle irregularities for a dynamic composition.

How did Sophie Taeuber-Arp's work change during her displacement due to World War II?

During her displacement, Sophie Taeuber-Arp's work shifted to lyrical colored pencil drawings, reflecting the absence of the rational grid structure and the chaos of the times. Her drawings featured meandering lines that were free yet precisely planned.

What was Sophie Taeuber-Arp's perspective on the importance of art during challenging times?

Despite the hardships she faced, such as worrying about food and living in exile, Sophie Taeuber-Arp believed in the deep and primeval urge to make things beautiful and found joy in the creative act.

How did Sophie Taeuber-Arp's life tragically end?

Sophie Taeuber-Arp died accidentally of carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 53, due to a closed flue in a guestroom with a wood-burning stove at a friend's home.

What can be inferred about Sophie Taeuber-Arp's final works from the exhibition?

The final works displayed in the exhibition suggest new directions in her art, indicating that had she lived longer, her work might have continued to evolve and surprise the art world.