Supports/Surfaces was a French art movement of the 1960s and 1970s that sought to bring painting closer to the physical reality of the world. The movement was founded by a group of French artists including Daniel Dezeuze, Patrick Saytour, Louis Cane, and Jean-Pierre Pincemin. Their works sought to explore the relationship between painting and its physical support (such as canvas, wood, or paper), and the physicality of the paint itself. The movement was heavily influenced by the works of French abstract expressionists like Pierre Soulages and Henri Matisse.
Supports/Surfaces was a reaction against the traditional, more formalistic approach to painting. The artists sought to break away from the established conventions of composition, compositionality, and perspective. Instead they sought to explore the physical properties of painting and its relationship to the surface on which it was painted. This exploration was done through a variety of techniques such as the use of a variety of materials, the layering of different textures, and the manipulation of color.
The works of Supports/Surfaces artists were typically characterized by the use of simple, geometric forms and a monochromatic palette. The focus was placed on the materiality of the work, and the exploration of the physical relationship between the paint and the surface. The artists also often used a grid-like structure to organize the composition of their works. This grid structure was seen as a way to emphasize the physicality of the painting, and to create a sense of dynamism and movement.
The movement was also heavily influenced by the theories of art critic Pierre Restany. Restany believed that painting should be seen as a physical object, and that the relationship between the artist and the materials used should be emphasized. He also argued that painting should be seen as a space of experimentation and play, and that the artist should be allowed to explore their own creative impulses without being constrained by the traditional conventions of painting.
The works of Supports/Surfaces artists have had a lasting influence on contemporary painting. The movement’s focus on the physicality of painting, and its exploration of abstraction, color, and texture have inspired many modern painters. The movement also highlighted the importance of the relationship between the artist and the materials used, a concept that is still highly relevant today.
In conclusion, Supports/Surfaces was an important art movement that sought to break away from the formalistic approach to painting. The movement’s focus on the physicality of painting, and its exploration of abstraction, color, and texture have had a lasting influence on contemporary painting. The movement also highlighted the importance of the relationship between the artist and the materials used, a concept that is still highly relevant today.