1. Origins of Pattern and Decoration
Pattern and Decoration, also known as P&D, emerged as an art movement in the late 1970s in the United States. It was a response to the minimalist and conceptual art that dominated the art scene at the time. P&D artists sought to reintroduce color, ornamentation, and decorative elements into their work, drawing inspiration from various cultures and historical decorative arts traditions.
2. Influences and Inspirations
Pattern and Decoration drew influences from a wide range of sources, including Islamic and Indian decorative arts, ancient cultures like Egypt and Persia, as well as European folk art and decorative traditions. The movement celebrated the beauty of these diverse decorative styles and aimed to dismantle the hierarchy imposed on them by the art establishment.
3. Reclaiming Feminine and Domestic Arts
Pattern and Decoration played a significant role in reclaiming traditionally feminine and domestic arts, such as textile and ceramic design, from their historical dismissal as craft or decorative work rather than fine art. P&D artists sought to elevate these practices by incorporating them into their fine art compositions, challenging the rigid boundaries between art and craft.
4. Embracing Color and Whimsy
One of the characteristic features of Pattern and Decoration art is its vibrant use of color and whimsical imagery. P&D artists often employed a wide range of hues, intricate patterns, and playful motifs, challenging the minimalist aesthetic that dominated contemporary art. They believed that these elements brought joy, richness, and emotional connections to their artworks.
5. Balancing Art and Politics
While celebrating ornamentation and decoration, Pattern and Decoration artists also engaged with political and social issues. Some P&D artists used decorative motifs to address questions of cultural identity, gender, and racial inequality. Through pitting aesthetic pleasure against ideological concerns, they explored the power of beauty and decoration as tools for social and political critique.
6. Controversies and Criticism
Like any artistic movement, Pattern and Decoration faced its fair share of criticism. Some accused P&D artists of promoting consumerist values by celebrating ornamentation and aesthetic pleasure. Others believed that the movement lacked conceptual depth and considered its rejection of abstraction and minimalism as regressive. However, the movement persisted and paved the way for the acceptance and recognition of non-Western and non-masculine artistic practices.
7. Major Figures and Artworks
Several influential artists shaped the development of Pattern and Decoration. Notable figures include Kim MacConnel, Joyce Kozloff, Miriam Schapiro, and Robert Kushner. Their works embraced vibrant colors, repetitive patterns, and eclectic combinations of imagery, reflecting the movement’s core principles and pushing the boundaries of traditional artistic practices.
8. Exhibitions and Legacy
Pattern and Decoration gained recognition through significant exhibitions like the seminal “Pattern and Decoration” show at the Hudson River Museum and later at the Holly Solomon Gallery in the 1970s. While the movement gradually lost some prominence in the 1980s, its legacy lived on, influencing subsequent generations of artists who continue to explore the intersections of art, craft, and decoration in their works.
9. The Revival of Interest
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Pattern and Decoration. Art institutions and galleries have organized retrospectives and exhibitions to showcase the movement’s influence and relevance in contemporary art. This resurgence highlights the lasting impact of P&D’s audacious challenge to conventional art hierarchies and calls for a broader appreciation of the decorative arts.
10. Further Resources
For those interested in exploring Pattern and Decoration further, here are some useful links:
– The Pattern and Decoration Movement: http://www.patternsanddecoration.com/
– Interview with Joyce Kozloff: https://hyperallergic.com/179162/joyce-kozloff-on-what-it-means-to-be-a-pattern-and-decoration-artist/
– Documentary “To Mend the World: Women Reflect on the Pattern and Decoration Movement”: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-documentary-mend-world-women-reflect-pattern-decoration-movement
These resources provide a deeper understanding of the movement’s history, key figures, and artistic contributions, allowing art enthusiasts to delve into the rich and colorful world of Pattern and Decoration.
