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Go to: "What is Altered Art?" - Page 3
of art. At its most basic, it gives a new artistic life to old and/or used
mundane, utilitarian items through the application of techniques and
combinations, some recognized as standard artistic methods, some not.
The result may serve both a functional purpose as well as a creative and
artistic piece. Its increasing popularity reflects the diversity of its
influences and the artist’s starting point. Some start as painters or
collage artists, or from within some other well-known school of art. Many
craft aficionados, whether fiber crafters (knitting, crocheting, macramé)
scrapbook makers, stampers and card makers, find their way to altered
art. Sometimes, a collector of a certain item, from eggbeaters to thimbles
to toys, will want a new way to display or use their treasures, and
discover that they are actually practicing altered art.
The results are as varied as the influences; tag books, bottle cap jewelry,
journals, shadow-box assemblages, shrines and altars, works to
commemorate special occasions or themes such as a passing of a loved
one, family history, weddings, and so on ad infinitum.
A related question is “What is an altered book?” An altered book is a
book that's been recycled, rescued and then has been changed or
altered by means of gluing, painting, collaging, rubber stamping, cutting,
tearing, or embellishing. It is an expression of yourself, an experiment in
creativity, or a creative journal.
The following art genres, most originating in the early 20th Century, are
related to or incorporated within the practice of altered art:
Most closely related to altered art is Recycled Art -- often surprising
products created from recycled and reused materials – because both
use everyday objects in an unusual way. (See a description of a
Recycled Art exhibition here.)
Found Art is art created from the undisguised, but often modified, use
of objects that are not normally considered art, often because they
already have a everyday, utilitarian function. (See Wikipedia entry here).
Collage is a work of visual arts made from an assemblage of different
forms, thus creating a new whole. An artistic collage work may include
newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of colored or hand-made papers,
photographs, etc., glued to a solid support or canvas This technique
made its first appearance in the early 20th century as a groundbreaking
novelty, however with the passing of time its has spread into other forms
besides the visual. (See Wikipedia entry here).
Decoupage refers to a type of collage usually defined as a craft. It is
the process of placing a picture onto an object for decoration. Often
decoupage causes the picture to appear to have depth and looks as
though it had been painted on the object. (See Wikipedia entry here.)
Décollage, in art, is the opposite of collage; instead of an image being
built up of all or parts of existing images, it is created by cutting, tearing
away or otherwise removing, pieces of an original image. (See Wikipedia
entry here).
Mixed Media, in visual art, refers to an artwork in the making of which
more than one medium has been employed, and may include any or all of
the above techniques and genres. Most altered art is considered mixed
media, but not all mixed media is altered art, as it may not include reused
or recycled objects.
Altered art can be two- or three-dimensional, although most of the flat
expressions of altered art incorporate some dimensional objects to a
varying degree. My three-dimensional works, especially my shrines and
altars shown below, are both altered art and Assemblage. To learn about
assemblage, which has quite a dignified heritage, see the “So What Is
Assemblage, Anyway” page.
The variety of what falls under the term "altered art"is infinite, although
there are certainly trends, as in any art/craft genre.
Mail-related items have been popular for years, and the current use of
vintage images in altered art is overwhelming. There is even a current
craze for a vintage human figure as a focal point, with added angel or
butterfly wings, wearing a crown or a clown’s cone hat / dunce cap. Its
roots are found in the work of well-recognized artists: Robert
Rauschenberg was putting wings on assemblage in the '50's. Basquiat
used crowns in the '80's as his primary image and signature.
Below: Rauschenberg, Coca Cola, 1958; Basquiat detail, early '80s; two
current altered art magazine features (Somerset House) features, 2006.
If altered art sounds like something you'd like to try, go to "What is
Altered Art" - Page 2 for some hints and suggestions based on my
experience.
WHAT IS ALTERED ART? - PAGE 2: IDEAS, HINTS, AND INSTRUCTIONS
WHAT IS ALTERED ART? - PAGE 3: MORE IDEAS AND TECHNIQUES
Gallery Altered Books 3 - Gallery Altered Books 4 - Gallery Shrines 1 - Gallery Shrines 2 - Gallery Shrines 3 - Gallery Shrines 4 - Gallery Wedding Supplies - Gallery Everything Else - About
The Artist - Links - Contact - What is Altered Art? - What is Assemblage Art? - Site Map - Images 1 - Images 2 - Images 3 - Images 4 - Images 5 - Images 6 - Images 7 - Images 8 - Images 9
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Ventura, CA
Participatory Altered Art and Assemblage
What Is Altered Art? History And Definition Compared And Related To Other Artistic Forms. What Is An Altered Book? Examples. Recycled Art Collage Decoupage Mixed Media
Decollage Assemblage ATC Artist Trading Cards- altered art - altered books - shrines - altars - devotional objects - custom altered art - scrapbook embellishments - altered art
embellishments - personalized altered art - wedding invitations - wedding scrapbooks - wedding favors - altered art journals - personalized stationery - note cards - greeting cards -
ATCs - custom altered art history gifts wedding supplies shrines kits altars favors unique guest books boxes theme gift recycled art collaged mixed media artists artist. What is altered
art? What is an altered book? History and definition compared and related to other art forms and themes. Examples. Custom altered art artist& gifts: custom wedding supplies pet
memorials custom shrines and altars. ATCs artists trading cards mixed media assemblage found art collage recycled art decoupage mixed media decollage altered boxes art
