Sam Francis

Untitled, 1984

106.7 X 73 inch

What is pigment?

What is pigment?

A pigment is a material that changes the color of light by selectively absorbing certain wavelengths and reflecting others. Unlike phosphorescence or fluorescence, where materials emit light, pigments work by altering the light that passes through or is reflected from them. In art, pigments are chosen for their special properties, such as high tinting strength, making them ideal for coloring various materials.

Appropriation

Appropriation in art involves using pre-existing images or objects with little or no modification. This technique has played a significant role across various art forms, including visual arts, music, performance, and literature. In visual arts, appropriation refers to the practice of adopting, sampling, recycling, or borrowing elements—or even entire forms—of existing visual culture, integrating them into new works to create meaning or critique.

Uncanny

The Uncanny is a concept described by psychologist Sigmund Freud as the eerie or unsettling feeling that arises when something familiar is presented in a strange or unfamiliar way. Surrealist artists, who aimed to reveal the subconscious and merge it with reality, often utilized this concept by combining familiar objects in unexpected and bizarre ways. This approach created a sense of discomfort or unease, challenging the viewer's perception of reality.

Stone

Stone is a hard, natural material found in the ground and used for various artistic purposes, such as carving statues, creating jewelry, and assembling mosaics. Artists and rock collectors often seek out interesting stones to cut, polish, and incorporate into their artwork.

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