Primitivism

I opened this blog post.. wrote Primitivism as the title and then left the page open for 3 hours while talking to people online and on the phone... no.. there goes another hour after writing that line.. I love a short attention span combined with procrastination..

Wasn't as sure how to approach this one as the others.. To be honest I've never been much of an art historian..

The pic I decided that had an element of Primitivism was L'Enlevement d'Europe by Henri Matisse..

L'Enlevement d'Europe (The abduction of Europa) , Henri Matisse 1929

This painting has a few of the elements of primitivism first in the cow (or minator) the flattened plane, the childlike drawing, the full frontal nudity..

These are some of the characteristics of primitivism, some others are reference to "primitive people" and naievity..

Primitive in the terms it was used in the day of most of these paintings is now seen as racist because of the implications of an un-intellegent, un-educated and.. apelike person based on where they came from and their ethnicity..

Primitivism on the other hand refers to the artistic movement that tried to get away from the social norms.. very well summed up by google definitions actually.. "A belief that it is best to live simply and in a natural environment" ref

"Contemporary Primitivism" can be seen in any form of lashing out against society or going against the norm.. in graffiti, in rap music and hip hop dance.. even people going to live in the bush in an eco friendly, self sustainable lifestyle..

Ciao

Jez