6.2 Process-oriented art: Richard Serra and Bruce Nauman
3 min read•august 13, 2024
Process-oriented art shifts focus from the final product to the act of creation itself. Artists like and challenge traditional art notions by making the creative process and materials the central focus of their work.
Serra's large-scale steel sculptures and Nauman's performance pieces showcase different approaches to process art. While Serra manipulates steel, leaving visible traces, Nauman uses his body and actions as the primary medium, both emphasizing the artist's physical engagement with their work.
Process and Materials in Serra and Nauman
Emphasis on Process and Materials
Top images from around the web for Emphasis on Process and Materials
Fifteen Pairs of Hands by Bruce Nauman (1996) | White bronze… | Flickr View original
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These are Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses View original
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Richard Serra, Corner Prop, 1969 | 6 Works, 6 Rooms at David… | Flickr View original
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Fifteen Pairs of Hands by Bruce Nauman (1996) | White bronze… | Flickr View original
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These are Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses View original
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Top images from around the web for Emphasis on Process and Materials
Fifteen Pairs of Hands by Bruce Nauman (1996) | White bronze… | Flickr View original
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These are Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses View original
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Richard Serra, Corner Prop, 1969 | 6 Works, 6 Rooms at David… | Flickr View original
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Fifteen Pairs of Hands by Bruce Nauman (1996) | White bronze… | Flickr View original
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These are Richard Serra’s Torqued Ellipses View original
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1 of 3
- Process art prioritizes the act of creation and the materials used over the final product
- The process itself becomes the central focus of the artwork
- Challenges traditional notions of art by shifting emphasis from final object to process and materials
Serra's Large-Scale Steel Sculptures
- Richard Serra's works (, 1981 and , 1996-1999) emphasize physical properties of steel and process of creation
- Manipulation of steel, its weight, and artist's engagement with material are integral to artwork
- Artist's physical manipulation of steel through cutting, bending, and balancing leaves visible traces on material
- Final form of sculpture determined by process of its creation
Nauman's Performances and Actions
- Bruce Nauman's works (, 1967-1968 and , 1968) focus on artist's actions and movements as primary content
- Process of performing actions becomes essence of the piece
- Performances and videos document artist's actions and movements, making them primary subject of artwork
- Artist's body and its interaction with space become medium through which artwork is realized
Artist Actions and Artwork
Direct Relationship between Actions and Artwork
- In process-oriented art, artist's actions and decisions during creative process directly shape final artwork
- Artist's physical engagement with materials and space becomes crucial aspect of piece
- Relationship between artist's actions and resulting artwork is one of direct cause and effect
- Process of creation inseparable from final piece
Serra's Physical Manipulation of Steel
- Serra's sculptures result from his physical manipulation of steel
- Artist's actions leave visible traces on material
- Final form of sculpture determined by process of its creation
Nauman's Body as Medium
- Nauman's performances and videos document his actions and movements
- Artist's body and its interaction with space become primary subject and medium of artwork
Time, Space, and Viewer Experience
Incorporation of Time and Space
- Process-oriented art often incorporates elements of time and space
- Requires viewer to actively engage with artwork and experience it over a duration
- Challenges traditional notion of art as static object, instead presenting it as unfolding experience existing in time and space
Serra's Sculptures and Spatial Perception
- Serra's large-scale sculptures alter viewer's perception of space and encourage physical interaction
- As viewers navigate around and through sculptures, their experience of artwork unfolds over time, revealing different perspectives and spatial relationships
Nauman's Repetitive Actions and Temporal Nature
- Nauman's performances and installations often involve repetitive actions or loops, emphasizing temporal nature of artwork
- Viewer's experience shaped by duration of their engagement and observation of artist's actions over time
Viewer Participation and Interpretation
- Viewer's presence and participation become integral part of artwork
- Viewer's movement, perception, and interpretation contribute to overall experience of piece
Serra vs Nauman: Process-Oriented Art
Different Approaches and Media
- Serra primarily works with large-scale, site-specific steel sculptures engaging with surrounding environment
- Nauman works across range of media (sculpture, video, performance, installation) focusing on artist's body and actions
Monumental vs Ephemeral
- Serra's sculptures typically static and permanent, emphasizing properties of material and artist's manipulation
- Nauman's performances and installations often ephemeral and temporary, existing only for duration of artist's actions or exhibition
Challenging Traditional Notions of Art
- Both artists challenge traditional notions of art by emphasizing process of creation over final product
- Engage viewer in active, experiential encounter with artwork
Key Terms to Review (18)
Aesthetic Experience: Aesthetic experience refers to the sensory and emotional engagement that individuals have when interacting with art, evoking a sense of beauty or meaning. This experience is not solely about visual appreciation; it encompasses personal reactions, interpretations, and the relationship formed between the viewer and the artwork. The concept plays a crucial role in understanding how art movements challenge traditional notions and redefine artistic engagement.
Art as process: Art as process refers to the approach where the act of creation itself becomes the primary focus of the artwork, rather than the final product. This concept emphasizes the exploration and experience of making art, often involving interaction, time, and change. By prioritizing the process, artists challenge traditional notions of art as a static object, encouraging viewers to consider the journey and methods behind the creation.
Art basel showcases: Art Basel showcases refer to a prestigious series of international art fairs that display contemporary artworks from leading galleries and artists around the world. These events play a critical role in promoting modern art and fostering connections between artists, collectors, and the public, emphasizing the importance of process-oriented art movements, which can be seen in the works of artists like Richard Serra and Bruce Nauman.
Berkshire Museum installation: The Berkshire Museum installation refers to a specific artistic intervention and exhibition that took place at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It highlights the integration of contemporary art within a museum setting, inviting viewers to engage with the art in a dynamic and immersive way that reflects the principles of process-oriented art, as seen in the works of artists like Richard Serra and Bruce Nauman.
Bruce Nauman: Bruce Nauman is a prominent American artist known for his influential work in the fields of Minimalism and Conceptual Art, particularly recognized for his exploration of the relationship between language, space, and the body. His innovative use of various media, including video, performance, and installation, often challenges traditional artistic conventions and engages viewers in an interactive experience. Nauman’s work exemplifies the shift towards process-oriented art, where the creative act itself becomes integral to the artwork.
Materiality: Materiality refers to the significance and physical properties of the materials used in art, emphasizing their role in conveying meaning and experience. This concept highlights how the choice of materials can affect the viewer's perception and understanding of the artwork, making the medium an essential aspect of the artistic expression. In various art movements, the exploration of materiality challenges traditional notions of art and engages with the viewer's sensory experience.
Minimalism: Minimalism is an art movement that emerged in the late 1950s and emphasizes simplicity, reduction, and the use of minimal elements in artwork. It often strips away any unnecessary features to focus on form, color, and material, making the viewer's experience more direct and immediate. This approach has also influenced various artistic practices and philosophies, connecting with concepts like process-oriented art, environmental installations, and language as a medium.
Performance-based art: Performance-based art is a form of artistic expression where the artwork is created through an action or series of actions, often involving the artist’s body, time, and the presence of an audience. This type of art emphasizes the process and experience over the final product, showcasing the act of creation as an integral part of the artwork itself. It often blurs the lines between artist and audience, making participation and engagement essential elements.
Postminimalism: Postminimalism is an art movement that emerged in the late 1960s as a response to Minimalism, emphasizing the exploration of materials and processes while incorporating emotional and conceptual dimensions. It retains some elements of Minimalism but introduces more expressive forms and a focus on the viewer's experience, thus bridging the gap between object-oriented art and conceptual practices.
Relational aesthetics: Relational aesthetics is an artistic philosophy that emphasizes the interactions and relationships between people as a primary medium of art. It shifts focus from traditional art objects to the social experience created by the artwork, allowing viewers to actively engage in the creative process. This approach highlights how the context, space, and social dynamics influence the meaning of art, making the viewer's experience an integral part of the artwork itself.
Richard Serra: Richard Serra is an influential American sculptor known for his large-scale, site-specific works that often explore the relationship between form, material, and space. His creations challenge viewers' perceptions and invite them to engage with the physical environment, embodying key principles of Minimalism and emphasizing the process of creation.
Site responsiveness: Site responsiveness refers to the ability of an artwork or installation to engage with and adapt to its surrounding environment, including the physical, social, and cultural contexts in which it exists. This concept emphasizes the interaction between the artwork and its location, allowing artists to create works that respond to, reflect, or challenge the characteristics of the site, thereby enhancing the viewer's experience and understanding of both the art and its setting.
Site-specific installation: A site-specific installation is an artwork created to exist in a particular location, taking into account the physical, cultural, and historical context of that site. These installations are often designed to engage with and respond to their surroundings, creating a unique experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere. The emphasis on the relationship between the artwork and its environment connects to various artistic movements, highlighting the importance of place in the creation and experience of art.
Stamping in the studio: Stamping in the studio refers to a process-oriented art technique where artists create impressions or marks using stamps or other tools to produce repetitive patterns or images. This method highlights the act of making as a key component of the artwork, emphasizing experimentation, chance, and the relationship between the artist and the materials. It allows artists like Richard Serra and Bruce Nauman to engage with their medium in innovative ways, often resulting in works that challenge traditional notions of authorship and finished art.
Tilted Arc: Tilted Arc is a large-scale outdoor sculpture created by artist Richard Serra, completed in 1981 and installed at the Federal Plaza in New York City. This piece exemplifies process-oriented art, as it invites viewers to engage with the space and experience the arc's physical presence and interaction with the surrounding environment. The sculpture not only emphasizes the materiality of steel but also challenges traditional notions of public art and its accessibility to a broader audience.
Torqued ellipses: Torqued ellipses refer to a specific form of sculptural installation created by Richard Serra, characterized by large, curved steel plates that create elliptical shapes that are rotated or twisted, giving them a dynamic and fluid appearance. This concept emphasizes the relationship between the viewer and the space, encouraging movement and engagement as individuals navigate through the sculptures, altering their perception of form and environment.
Viewer interaction: Viewer interaction refers to the ways in which an audience engages with and responds to a work of art, transforming the experience from passive observation to active participation. This concept is central to understanding how art can evoke emotional and intellectual responses, and it highlights the importance of the viewer's role in interpreting meaning and context.
Walking in an exaggerated manner around the perimeter of a square: Walking in an exaggerated manner around the perimeter of a square refers to a performative act that emphasizes movement as a central component of artistic expression. This action highlights the physicality of the body in space and transforms simple locomotion into a deliberate artistic gesture. It connects deeply to themes of process-oriented art, where the act of creation and the experience of time become as significant as the final outcome.