While artistic trends since World War II have sought excessive expression, minimalism has become an artistic school of thought that emphasizes simplicity and scalability in music, architecture, design, and other fields, revealing essence through concise expression.
After World War II, there was an artistic tendency to over-express artistic emotions and meanings, such as war-related anxiety and human alienation. Minimalism, on the other hand, is an artistic tendency to express the essence of an object through concise and restrained expression techniques. Minimalism is based on the principle of simplicity, which states that the simpler the artistic expression, the easier it is to represent the real world, and the principle of expansiveness, which states that human perception is understood holistically. These aspects of art manifest themselves in music as constant emphasis and speed, and in architecture as simple color and material use and geometric composition.
This principle of simplicity and scalability is especially evident in sculpture. Minimalist sculpture is characterized by the following features First, it aims for the “principle of simplicity” through the minimization of mediums. Minimization of mediums refers to the use of materials, materials, forms, and other mediating elements used to express a work without altering or processing them. This is expressed in the concept of using raw materials as they are, the concept of object trouvé, which uses everyday objects as they are, and the concept of simple geometric shapes. When the mediating elements in a work are minimized, there are more objects that the viewer can think of, and it is easier for the viewer to conjure up images that are latent in the viewer’s mind as universal shapes. The fewer and simpler the medium used in a work, the more the viewer can immediately recognize it, and the easier it is to match it with the universal shape in the viewer’s perception.
Second, minimalist sculpture pursues the “principle of scalability” through geometric abstraction. The space in which a minimalist sculpture is placed is not only the background of the work. The space in which the artwork is placed allows the viewer to appreciate the artwork in relation to the space in which it is placed. For example, when viewing a geometric abstract minimalist sculpture, the viewer not only recognizes it, but also shifts their gaze to the background around it, expanding their appreciation. Minimalist sculptures are often placed on the floor, unlike the way traditional sculptures are installed. In this way, the space where the artwork itself is placed and the place where the viewer stands becomes a total space for artistic appreciation, rather than a viewing platform for viewing only. The principle of extensibility refers to the extension of the spatial experience to the background where the artwork is placed, creating a new experience of the artistic environment.
Minimalism works with these artistic principles to provide a new visual experience for the viewer, maximizing the interaction between the artwork and the viewer. It allows the viewer to experience the entire space with the artwork, creating an artistic experience that stimulates both emotion and thought, rather than just visual perception. Minimalism also reflects the tendency in modern society to seek the essential, away from complexity and excessive information, which induces psychological calm and meditation in the viewer.
These qualities of minimalism are manifested in various artistic disciplines. In music, for example, minimal instrumentation and repetitive rhythmic patterns are used to create a simple yet profound sound. A prime example of this is the work of composers like Steve Reich and Philip Glass. Their music conveys complex emotions and moods within simple structures, creating a unique musical experience for the listener.
Minimalism has also had a huge impact in architecture. Architect Mies van der Rohe is considered a pioneer of minimalist architecture, with his “less is more” philosophy. His buildings emphasize the essence of space by using only simple lines and planes, basic colors and materials. These buildings give the user a sense of visual serenity and the essence of the space, conveying an impression of the space itself, not the architecture.
Minimalism is also important in design. Apple’s product design is a prime example of minimalism, where unnecessary ornamentation is eliminated in favor of functionality and aesthetics. This design philosophy provides users with an intuitive and convenient experience and serves to emphasize the essence of the product.
In conclusion, minimalism is an artistic philosophy that pursues both the essence of art and the depth of appreciation through simplicity and scalability. As a current in contemporary art, it is important for people who want to find the essential in the complexity of modern society. Minimalism allows us to discover deep meaning in the simplicity of artistic expression, which opens up new possibilities for art.
