Visual styles- wider research

Visual styles, at the Tate Modern

On a visit to the Tate modern in London I noticed a lot of artwork from certain time periods and artists, that follow a particular visual style. Seeing how visual styles construct artwork and connote different themes and meanings, can inspire my own album artwork and which style i choose to base it on. I took photos of paintings from artists famous for their visual styles, and other paintings that fall under these categories. 

Cubism:

Cubism is an abstract method of painting, using shapes and angular lines, to make up an image of their subject, while showing their own perspective of it. It originates from the early 20th century and was revolutionised by artists such as Pablo Picasso. I saw one of his paintings, and think this style would work well on an album cover, as an abstract portrait of a band member. However if i used this visual style i would have to make it look more contemporary, to appeal to the audience. 

Picasso

Impressionism:

impressionism is a 19th century art movement. Artists focused on colour rather than detail, to capture bright scenes of landscapes or portraits. Claude Monet is an impressionist artist who influenced the movement. His landscape paintings are colourful and delicate. However I can't imagine the impressionist visual style on an album cover, as it is too traditional and restricting. The album cover for my band should look abstract, with a sharp image, to catch the audience's eye. Impressionism shows the beauty in an image, however it doesn't connote many hidden meanings and depth, which an album cover would need. 

Monet 

Geometric:

The geometric visual style uses precise lines and shapes, to create a bold pattern. I like how everything is carefully selected, from the colour scheme to the scale. I think this style would work well on an album cover as it is eye-catching, simple and would be easy to layout the text. However the disadvantage of using this style would be that it lacks a subject, therefore it doesn't include a band or artist. Also people may find it boring because it looks so simple. Therefore if i was to use this visual style, I would use it for a design motif, or on the back or side covers on the album. 

 Some geometric designs can create illusions, that look confusing or misleading. They would work well on an album cover because it is an original idea and they can be satisfying to look at.

Minimalism:

Minimalism focuses on one subject, and surrounds it with negative space, to make it the key idea. Most of the minimalist artwork at the Tate were sculptures, to construct meanings through architectural designs. For example the sculpture by Rasheed Araeen, combines triangular structures. It can be shown in different perspectives; the alternative possibilities challenges the idea of artwork being fixed. This visual style would look good on an album cover because it is understated, but the meanings behind it create a lot of depth, and it wouldn't look overcrowded.

Rasheed Araeen

Pop Art

The Tate had famous pieces of art from the pop art movement (1950s). For example Warhol's print of Marilyn Monroe, showing the success of her life, and memorial to her death. There was also a quote from him, responding to this art movement, and how the style of painting had developed, and been revolutionised by pop art. Also there was a painting by Roy Lichtenstein, another famous pop artist, whoo used colour and comic themes to portray emotions and narrative. 

The  reasons this visual style would work in a print production, are that the bright, bold colours would easily attract the audience, and relate to uplifting dramatic music. This method could also create an abstract impression of a band member, through the striking portraits. 

Andy Warhol quote

Andy Warhol

Roy Lichtenstein