final pastiche poster: cultural garden
Contextual and cultural referencing
For the final assignment i have picked the topic pastiche in the visual arts. Pastiche is an artisti expression that imitates one or more artists’ styles and combine them into creating something new. It is made with the mean of appriciating and remembering the past. Unlike parody which is made to mock and criticize.
For the final “cultural garden” i have decided to make pastiche of three different cultures’ artstyles. Including: indonesian batik art, chinese water-ink painting, european art nouveau style. I researched and made moodboards as inspirations and references. Then i started doing pastiche sketches of each culture’s artstyle exploring with different methods and techniques. After that i combined them together into a harmonic combination of three styles. With the theme garden showing blossoming and flourishing of the different cultural flowers showing the beauty and peace in culture diversity also how different culture can still grow in harmony together. Addressing and discussing social issue and solving the conflict through the effective device pastiche. Creating resonance and connection with the viewers. Delivering an important and positive message of remembering our unique traditions and respecting other’s cultures.
Throughout this whole process of contextualizing and cultural referencing. I learnt the importance of history and culture on art. As it is connected and interlocked. Art is made and evolved with time and history while history is surrounded by art and design. From ancient time humans are artists and designers , creating and innovating and inspiring.
Therefore, i actually enjoyed doing this assignment as with all the researches i learnt that design is not made in one day and it has a strong and infinite power of influencing people and delivering messages. Understanding and knowing the history and culture is the key to making a great design. Thus i have decided to use this timeless power of art to deliver message and raise awareness on matter that are current and worldwide in my design work.
For the final assignment i have picked the topic pastiche in the visual arts. Pastiche is an artisti expression that imitates one or more artists’ styles and combine them into creating something new. It is made with the mean of appriciating and remembering the past. Unlike parody which is made to mock and criticize.
For the final “cultural garden” i have decided to make pastiche of three different cultures’ artstyles. Including: indonesian batik art, chinese water-ink painting, european art nouveau style. I researched and made moodboards as inspirations and references. Then i started doing pastiche sketches of each culture’s artstyle exploring with different methods and techniques. After that i combined them together into a harmonic combination of three styles. With the theme garden showing blossoming and flourishing of the different cultural flowers showing the beauty and peace in culture diversity also how different culture can still grow in harmony together. Addressing and discussing social issue and solving the conflict through the effective device pastiche. Creating resonance and connection with the viewers. Delivering an important and positive message of remembering our unique traditions and respecting other’s cultures.
Throughout this whole process of contextualizing and cultural referencing. I learnt the importance of history and culture on art. As it is connected and interlocked. Art is made and evolved with time and history while history is surrounded by art and design. From ancient time humans are artists and designers , creating and innovating and inspiring.
Therefore, i actually enjoyed doing this assignment as with all the researches i learnt that design is not made in one day and it has a strong and infinite power of influencing people and delivering messages. Understanding and knowing the history and culture is the key to making a great design. Thus i have decided to use this timeless power of art to deliver message and raise awareness on matter that are current and worldwide in my design work.
final pastiche essay
Contextual and cultural referencing
Final essay
Student: Melody Pan,B18
Lecturer: Mr.Ardi Gunawan
Pastiche in the visual arts
According to dictionary.com, the definition of Pastiche: as a verb, is the act to imitate the style of an artist or artwork; as a noun, it is a form of art that imitates the art styles of an artist , artwork , or a period , a genre. Another definition of pastiche is also combining different art styles into a new artwork.
The origin of pastiche can be traced back to the early 17th century from French, from the Italian word 'pasticcio', which was based on late Latin pasta ‘paste’, from the 13th century Latin word pasticium. The meaning of the word is a pie which normally contains a mixture of ingredients. Hence, metaphorically the word Pastiche is used to describe an artwork combining various art styles, techniques.
Pastiche, in the older decades before 17th century, is often considered a low-status form of art, as it is associated to copying and a lack of originality. During the seventeenth to eighteenth century, Pastiche art is getting more common in the art world. There were more than half of the paintings that changed hands were copies. It was until the 19th century where people's attitude towards Pastiche art was starting to change towards a more positive view. At that time, to be a copyist or pasticheur was a respectable artistic profession. As with the ascent of modernism in the 19th century; the notion of pastiche was the standards used to measure originality and authenticity in an artwork. For instance as the passage had mentioned: in 1977, an examination of the 88 ‘authentic’ painting by Antoine Watteau (1742-1760) showed that only two were by the artist’s hand.
Postmodernism is the time where Pastiche is considered acceptable in an age which imitation signals respect. During postmodernism, artists challenges artistic values, questioning everything, thus created room for pastiche to flourish. Until now, pastiche is still largely used in our society. The main purpose behind Pastiche art is to combine different art styles of artists, genres or period into creating something new. It is about recreating and appreciating the past and adding new context to the artwork, thus preserving cultural memory in our world through the timeless power of art.
Pastiche art has its own characteristics and functions. It reflects a single piece of work by a single artist, or a work by one or more artists, genres. An important characteristic that most people are confused about is that pastiche does not equal to parody. The difference between the two is: pastiche is about appreciation, while parody is comedic critique. Through pastiche, artists integrate themes and ideas into incorporating a new piece of work. It is not direct copying or plagiarism, but a complex concept of intertextuality and creativity. On the other hand, pastiche has two major functions, first is to depict and recreate famous art, literature, music etc. Second is to express and remembers one's preference or historical background by recreating it.
Pastiche exists immensely in the world of art, especially in the visual arts field (including: painting, photography, architecture, fashion, film).
A personal example of Pastiche art was during my Macau trip. As I was traveling in the ancient-looking Roman Street in the Macau fisherman's wharf, I realized that whole Romanian-themed town is a Pastiche of the city, Roman in Italy. The most prominent similarity was the smaller version of the Roman Colosseum. It is to recreate the vibe and atmosphere of the city. Through using historical resonance to create interest and thus increase tourism. Another famous example of Pastiche in architecture will be the recreation of the beautiful city on water, Venice. This is being used in both Macau Venetian and Las Vegas casino. This shows that pastiche being a historical and contextual device can be used for commercial and economical values.
Another common way in which Pastiche is presented in our surrounding is in the field of fashion. For example, celebrities like Katy Perry who is not just a fashion diva but also a pasticheur. Most of the costumes she wore were inspired by Egyptian, Japanese, Punk or Gothic style. Aside from that, an example of pastiche in fashion is the Marc Jacob's Spring Collection 2013 , which was a recreation of Brigitte Bardot’s 1960s style.
In the field of films, TV shows like Stranger things is in fact a pastiche of classic science fiction movies like the E.T. The Duffer brother who wrote the series, admit to recreate iconic scenes in stranger things as tribute to their favourite movies. Showing how pastiche can be used to remember and appreciate.
An incredible example of pastiche art in the painting and photography field is by the hand of famous photographer David LaChapelle. His work “The Rape of Africa" which was made in 2009, is a pastiche art of the “Venus and Mars" by Sandro Botticelli (1484). In an interview with Karin Andreasson, LaChapelle talked about the meaning and context behind his work. While he was in London’s National Gallery looking at ‘Venus and Mars’, the power of the art struck him. A display of the timeless truth: war and greed versus love and beauty. Thus, he decided to take the elements from the painting and transform them. In his work the satyrs become child soldiers; Venus’ dress ripped alluding to rape, representing Africa, a continent that has been and continuously being raped; Mars represents the Europeans who started the gold mining in Africa. At the back of the artwork there is a mine visible through the hole implying the horrible conditions for the workers and the huge damage to the environment where resources lie. The genius way LaChapelle has effectively used the device Pastiche into adding current issues and context inspired me. This work is to address the issue of consumerism, to evoke awareness and to call for action to stop the destructions by mankind.
After reading the passage of ‘Pastiche:Cultural Memory in Art, Film, Literature’ By Ingeborg Hoesterey. In which the author traces the rise of the pastiche in the arts and popular culture. She discusses the genre of artistic expression- Pastiche, or Pasticcio, that is now highly engaging in our society nowadays, existing in architecture, painting, film and literature. I learnt that postmodern Pastiche is about cultural memory as a history of seeing, writing and drawing. Through Pastiche, we can remember the past and pays our appreciation to the original artwork. Also by combining different styles new creativity is formed in new piece.
Therefore, after reading and understanding the topic ‘Pastiche’. I have decided to create ‘Cultural Garden’ poster that delivers the meaning of cultural harmony in a garden of blossoming flowers. In which I made pastiche of three different culture’s styles and combine them into one painting.
These three cultures include: Indonesian-Batik art, Chinese- Water ink painting, European- Art Nouveau. Why these cultures? Because in my personal life, I am influenced by these cultures, as I am a Chinese living in Indonesia and planning to study oversea in England. Hence, these cultures surround me and shape the way I think and draw. In addition, I want to pays respect and appreciation to the traditions of each culture. In the painting you can see flowers of these cultures in efflorescence. In the center is the combination of three flowers from each culture: peony, rose and batik flower showing they can sprout peacefully together, implying that these three cultures can also exist and grow in harmony. A special pastiche of the iconic chicken drawing from the famous Indonesian bakmi (noodle) bowl is drawn in the bottom of the painting, to show the unique and well known element in Indonesian culture, thus creating nostalgia and resonance. The reason why I had chosen the theme ‘garden’ is to show how different cultural flowers can still flourish in beauty and grow in harmony together. Conveying the message of peaceful and beautiful consonance in culture diversity; addressing the social issues of culture in nowadays world. Especially in the country I live in, where the political state is causing cultural conflict. I want to address this social issue and add this context to my work, like what LaChapelle did with his. The main purpose behind my work is- discussing current matter and delivering positive message of cultural harmony to the audience, by using pastiche as a way to create resonance amongst the viewers. I believe the world will be an even more wonderful and colorful place, if we can all respect and appreciate one another thus enhance together.
Final essay
Student: Melody Pan,B18
Lecturer: Mr.Ardi Gunawan
Pastiche in the visual arts
According to dictionary.com, the definition of Pastiche: as a verb, is the act to imitate the style of an artist or artwork; as a noun, it is a form of art that imitates the art styles of an artist , artwork , or a period , a genre. Another definition of pastiche is also combining different art styles into a new artwork.
The origin of pastiche can be traced back to the early 17th century from French, from the Italian word 'pasticcio', which was based on late Latin pasta ‘paste’, from the 13th century Latin word pasticium. The meaning of the word is a pie which normally contains a mixture of ingredients. Hence, metaphorically the word Pastiche is used to describe an artwork combining various art styles, techniques.
Pastiche, in the older decades before 17th century, is often considered a low-status form of art, as it is associated to copying and a lack of originality. During the seventeenth to eighteenth century, Pastiche art is getting more common in the art world. There were more than half of the paintings that changed hands were copies. It was until the 19th century where people's attitude towards Pastiche art was starting to change towards a more positive view. At that time, to be a copyist or pasticheur was a respectable artistic profession. As with the ascent of modernism in the 19th century; the notion of pastiche was the standards used to measure originality and authenticity in an artwork. For instance as the passage had mentioned: in 1977, an examination of the 88 ‘authentic’ painting by Antoine Watteau (1742-1760) showed that only two were by the artist’s hand.
Postmodernism is the time where Pastiche is considered acceptable in an age which imitation signals respect. During postmodernism, artists challenges artistic values, questioning everything, thus created room for pastiche to flourish. Until now, pastiche is still largely used in our society. The main purpose behind Pastiche art is to combine different art styles of artists, genres or period into creating something new. It is about recreating and appreciating the past and adding new context to the artwork, thus preserving cultural memory in our world through the timeless power of art.
Pastiche art has its own characteristics and functions. It reflects a single piece of work by a single artist, or a work by one or more artists, genres. An important characteristic that most people are confused about is that pastiche does not equal to parody. The difference between the two is: pastiche is about appreciation, while parody is comedic critique. Through pastiche, artists integrate themes and ideas into incorporating a new piece of work. It is not direct copying or plagiarism, but a complex concept of intertextuality and creativity. On the other hand, pastiche has two major functions, first is to depict and recreate famous art, literature, music etc. Second is to express and remembers one's preference or historical background by recreating it.
Pastiche exists immensely in the world of art, especially in the visual arts field (including: painting, photography, architecture, fashion, film).
A personal example of Pastiche art was during my Macau trip. As I was traveling in the ancient-looking Roman Street in the Macau fisherman's wharf, I realized that whole Romanian-themed town is a Pastiche of the city, Roman in Italy. The most prominent similarity was the smaller version of the Roman Colosseum. It is to recreate the vibe and atmosphere of the city. Through using historical resonance to create interest and thus increase tourism. Another famous example of Pastiche in architecture will be the recreation of the beautiful city on water, Venice. This is being used in both Macau Venetian and Las Vegas casino. This shows that pastiche being a historical and contextual device can be used for commercial and economical values.
Another common way in which Pastiche is presented in our surrounding is in the field of fashion. For example, celebrities like Katy Perry who is not just a fashion diva but also a pasticheur. Most of the costumes she wore were inspired by Egyptian, Japanese, Punk or Gothic style. Aside from that, an example of pastiche in fashion is the Marc Jacob's Spring Collection 2013 , which was a recreation of Brigitte Bardot’s 1960s style.
In the field of films, TV shows like Stranger things is in fact a pastiche of classic science fiction movies like the E.T. The Duffer brother who wrote the series, admit to recreate iconic scenes in stranger things as tribute to their favourite movies. Showing how pastiche can be used to remember and appreciate.
An incredible example of pastiche art in the painting and photography field is by the hand of famous photographer David LaChapelle. His work “The Rape of Africa" which was made in 2009, is a pastiche art of the “Venus and Mars" by Sandro Botticelli (1484). In an interview with Karin Andreasson, LaChapelle talked about the meaning and context behind his work. While he was in London’s National Gallery looking at ‘Venus and Mars’, the power of the art struck him. A display of the timeless truth: war and greed versus love and beauty. Thus, he decided to take the elements from the painting and transform them. In his work the satyrs become child soldiers; Venus’ dress ripped alluding to rape, representing Africa, a continent that has been and continuously being raped; Mars represents the Europeans who started the gold mining in Africa. At the back of the artwork there is a mine visible through the hole implying the horrible conditions for the workers and the huge damage to the environment where resources lie. The genius way LaChapelle has effectively used the device Pastiche into adding current issues and context inspired me. This work is to address the issue of consumerism, to evoke awareness and to call for action to stop the destructions by mankind.
After reading the passage of ‘Pastiche:Cultural Memory in Art, Film, Literature’ By Ingeborg Hoesterey. In which the author traces the rise of the pastiche in the arts and popular culture. She discusses the genre of artistic expression- Pastiche, or Pasticcio, that is now highly engaging in our society nowadays, existing in architecture, painting, film and literature. I learnt that postmodern Pastiche is about cultural memory as a history of seeing, writing and drawing. Through Pastiche, we can remember the past and pays our appreciation to the original artwork. Also by combining different styles new creativity is formed in new piece.
Therefore, after reading and understanding the topic ‘Pastiche’. I have decided to create ‘Cultural Garden’ poster that delivers the meaning of cultural harmony in a garden of blossoming flowers. In which I made pastiche of three different culture’s styles and combine them into one painting.
These three cultures include: Indonesian-Batik art, Chinese- Water ink painting, European- Art Nouveau. Why these cultures? Because in my personal life, I am influenced by these cultures, as I am a Chinese living in Indonesia and planning to study oversea in England. Hence, these cultures surround me and shape the way I think and draw. In addition, I want to pays respect and appreciation to the traditions of each culture. In the painting you can see flowers of these cultures in efflorescence. In the center is the combination of three flowers from each culture: peony, rose and batik flower showing they can sprout peacefully together, implying that these three cultures can also exist and grow in harmony. A special pastiche of the iconic chicken drawing from the famous Indonesian bakmi (noodle) bowl is drawn in the bottom of the painting, to show the unique and well known element in Indonesian culture, thus creating nostalgia and resonance. The reason why I had chosen the theme ‘garden’ is to show how different cultural flowers can still flourish in beauty and grow in harmony together. Conveying the message of peaceful and beautiful consonance in culture diversity; addressing the social issues of culture in nowadays world. Especially in the country I live in, where the political state is causing cultural conflict. I want to address this social issue and add this context to my work, like what LaChapelle did with his. The main purpose behind my work is- discussing current matter and delivering positive message of cultural harmony to the audience, by using pastiche as a way to create resonance amongst the viewers. I believe the world will be an even more wonderful and colorful place, if we can all respect and appreciate one another thus enhance together.