JOSEF ALBERS
'A sequence re-ordering the order of materials, of shapes and space'
The practitioner I have chosen is Josef Albers and the technique is 'A sequence re-ordering the order of materials, of shapes and space'. Josef Albers is an artist who is known for abstract art and colours. His works explore a variety of colours, geometries and lines which show a sense of repetition throughout his works. He also taught at Yale University where he produced one of his most famous work ‘Homage to the Square’. This work shows his passion for colours and how they can be seen differently through different interactions of different colours. It is also stated ‘his classroom performances were unforgettable’, ‘everything he looked upon was capable of provoking an immediate response in him’ (Horowitz 2009, p. 76) which further show his enthusiastic manner in his teachings, and shows how he values little things that can somehow add together or re-arranged to create a whole new work.
Visual Analysis 01
Composition
The drawing is in the centre of the image creating salience. The overall composition of this work is simple due to the minimalistic feature.
Perspective
There can be multiple perspectives in this drawing depending on how the viewer sees. The drawing itself is 2-dimensional, however, the line works suggest a 3-dimensional object as well.
Line
This work is created using only lines in different angles, directions and length. They are all drawn with the same line weight.
Sequence
Josef Albers' works are consistent and show a continuous sequence as he produces work that are re-arranged and distorted to create a new meaning with existing banal geometries.
Space
There is a lot of empty space in this work, however, the drawing still looks full and strong due to the salience of the line drawing.
Visual Analysis 02
Composition
The composition of this work is simple but complicated. If you see the line drawings as one whole drawing, the work can be separated into 2 parts; the foreground and the background. However, if you look closely into the line drawings, you can see another foreground and background within the drawing.
Perspective
The perspective in this drawing is also confusing due to the repetition of lines and how they are all connected to each other from different angles and directions.
Line
Repetition of vertical and horizontal lines can be seen in this work. All the lines have the same line weight, however, they are different in length and direction.
Sequence
The repetitive lines and patterns in this work show a sequence within the work. The consistent concept of Albers' also shows a repetitive sequence.
Space
The drawing is in the centre of the page taking up most of the space. However, surrounding the drawing, there is an empty space to create salience and draw attention to the drawing in the centre. The 2 empty spaces in the diagonal corners of the drawing also shows a sense of balance within the work and is aesthetically pleasing as it is symmetrical.
Visual Analysis 03
Composition
The composition of this work looks complicated due to the overlapping of the paper. It has been folded vertically and horizontally to make the paper look like it is weaving in between each other.
Perspective
The photograph has been taken in a 2 point perspective as the corner of the work is in the centre; showing 2 vanishing points at each horizontal end.
Line
A repetition of lines can be seen due to the cut outs of the paper. Also, the vertical and horizontal foldings of the paper show a sense of dimension in a different kind of line work.
Sequence
Due to the repetition of lines in all the works, you can see the repeated sequence in Josef Albers' works.
Space
The space around the artwork is empty and black to allow the viewer to see the work clearly without any distractions. The contrast of the white paper to the black background compliments the visual elements as the cut outs of the work is highly visible.
Material Analysis
The material selected for this work is paper as Josef prefers to use inexpensive materials that are easy to get hands on. Due to the quality of the paper, he was able to easily fold and cut out the paper without any difficulties. The work was created using only one sheet of paper and by folding and cutting, he created a whole new design that looks as if it had been created by multiple layers.
Tooling Analysis
As stated above, this work was created by just folding and cutting the paper.
Selected Location
This is a photograph of the location that i chose to locate my proposal. When i first encountered this area, i found it banal and out of place as it is empty and in the corner. Then, i discovered it was a place for smokers to smoke and perhaps rest. However, as you can see, this place has a few chairs in the bush area and the smoking area is completely empty without any interesting or entertaining features. Therefore, i decided to create a space that is both functional and enjoyable for the people using this space, and perhaps it could attract more people to use this space effectively.
Model Iteration 01
The images above are the first models that i created which were inspired from a parasol and a string cheese. I started off by using a small blank piece of paper, and rolled it into a cylinder, then measured the length of the parts i wanted to cut, and then cut the strips and glued the sides together.
The main function of my design is to provide an undercover space for people to be protected by the heat and the rain. Therefore, i borrowed the idea from a parasol to create that roof, and the idea of a string cheese how you can peel each roof down depending on the needs of the people.
Model Iteration 02
Then, i created my second model which is developed to provide an undercover area, and a small bar table. I made the base pillar triangular, and added a small cylinder on the bottom to wrap around the pillar that will support the tables.
I liked how sturdy the pillar was, however, thought it needed more space for the people to use.
Model Iteration 03
Therefore, i created this third model which is a squared pillar to fit more people. I also changed the tables into seats to allow a more comfortable area for the people to rest and socialise. All of the models were created by either using one or two pieces of paper. By rolling, folding, cutting, and gluing, i created a whole new design to create a different meaning in the same space.
Overview of Model Iterations
These are all the models put together. Each of them had their own uniqueness and had their pros and cons which supported me to develop my final design of the model that incorporates all of the pros of the model iterations. Just as Albers did, by using paper and simple techniques, i was able to re-arrange and create a new design.
Final Model
This is the final model, and how it will look with a person using it. As you can see in the image, the roof creates enough shelter for shade whilst still being able to look around the area without any disruptions.
Final Model
The black arrow indicates the main roof which will have a cooling effect on the bottom, and solar panels on the top to collect the energy from the sun. It will then be connected to charging walls on the pillars for people to use.
The red arrow indicates extra coverage for people, and also a light for when people use this area at night or when dark.
Final Model at Location
This is how the final model will look like when it is placed at the location.
REFERENCE LIST
Charot, J. 1956, ‘Nature and the Art of Josef Albers’, College Art Journal, Vol. 15, No. 3, viewed 24
Aug 2019, < https://www-jstor-org.ezproxy.lib.uts.edu.au/stable/773241?
Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=josef&searchText=albers&searchUri=%2
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basic_SYC-4341%2Fcontrol&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents >.
Horowitz, F. A. 2009, Josef Albers : To Open Eyes, 2nd edition, Phaidon Press, London.
Unknown 2019, Artnet, Josef Albers, Artnet, United States, viewed 24 Aug 2019,
<http://www.artnet.com/artists/josef-albers/>.
