minimalism/MAXIMALISM

featuring works by:

Sasha Bezzubov, Peggy Cyphers, Debra Drexler, Patricia Fabricant, Jessica Hargreaves, Pamela Longobardi, Stephen Mallon, Karen Marston, Mark Masyga, Sarah Olson, Ross Racine, Ashok Sinha, Shira Toren, Joanne Ungar, Zoe Wetherall, Julia Whitney Barnes, Edie Winograde, Joyce Yamada, curated by Kathleen Vance

Mies van der Rohe famously coined the phrase 'Less is More’. Maximalist architect, Morris Lapidus countered with “Too Much is Never Enough.” An overall assessment to these edicts comes from Frank Lloyd Wright who said "Less is only more when more is no good." 

Visual art, stripped of the utility found in architecture, disregards the ‘form over function’ debate and gets to the core of what defines visual language. Perception, comprehension and the production of visual signs are the challenges that each artist faces when creating a new work of art.

This exhibition’s pairing of minimalism and maximalism as comparative structures developed from an analysis of the visual results that come about from creating artworks using reductive reasoning vs additive thinking. Removed from the art historical reference of “Minimalism” (with its connection to abstract and conceptual art) and utilizing the term as a visual philosophy of reduction to core elements, minimalism can be defined by the intention of what is kept. Reduced palettes, open fields of color and sparse compositions allow for tighter control over the focus of what remains. These works often relate a slower pace of contemplation and introspection.

A visual counterposition to minimal compositions is maximalism. In its extreme, maximalism can be seen as a reaction against minimalism, with a visual aesthetic of excess. The philosophy of maximalism can be summarized as "more is more", contrasting with the minimalist motto "less is more". Intensity of color and complex combined color relationships often define a maximalist palette. Compositional layering, pattern and a leaning towards formal opulence gives maximalism an abundant energy. Its intense visual stimulus grabs the attention of a viewer and fills the visual space with a rich vibrancy.

This exhibition presents works that visually confront the philosophy of both structures of creation. Featuring works that bask in he minimal aesthetic of reduced intention and works that invigorate the senses through the maximalist approach of addition.

minimalism/MAXIMALISM