I employ analog, digital, and historical methods to explore this interesting albeit problematic encounter between af Klint and Steiner. The accepted narrative of af Klint’s relationship to Steiner claims he negatively impacted her works between the years 19. However, attending to a closer analysis of her visual imagery as well as available archival information questions the supposed affiliation of af Klint in particular to the assumed work of Steiner. A lack of thorough visual analysis of her early works in much of the secondary scholarship, in addition to the absence of archival research, allows for these speculative claims. This has subsequently led to a misunderstanding of her complexity as an artist and the broader question of spirituality and art. And yet, the assumed art world affinity between af Klint and other leading voices on the topic – above all, the Austrian philosopher and esotericist Rudolf Steiner and Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky – demonstrates an urgency to place af Klint within a framework she doesn’t quite belong. Hilma af Klint, an oft-cited but underresearched Swedish artist, is often included in art historical literature on art and spirituality.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |