ODE TO COLLAGES

 

Art is full of movement, technique, and styles. Three that have lasted since the early 20th century are collages, assemblage, and montages. Some ask if these are art at all. Are they true creations or merely curations? You wonder if Picasso and Braque debated this while they did assemblage work which they eventually coined as “cubism.”

Artists are always pressed to explain their techniques. Assemblages are three dimensional works produced largely from found objects. Montages are often associated with film work and other mediums where short series are combined. Both these techniques lend themselves to narratives. The art tends toward telling a story. 

Collages, on the other hand, are simply gathering of pieces of the world. A photograph, label from a shipping container, a torn painting, Colorful pieces of paper, written text or marks. The artist never intends to tell a story, but instead create a visual impact.

The collages are the most freeing because of this. They are wonderful escapes from disciplined work and other more complex art efforts. You can throw elements together until the just right effect happens. Perhaps there is always a part of life that should be like that. Where we can throw off the bounds of “have to be that way” and simply play.