Brutalism

 (verbal no. 213)

Round heavy metal object with hole in the middle, a black smiley piece of plastic, found on the streets of Zwolle and two metal eyelets from a flag on ripped pages from Dif magazine and Metropolis M on cardboard on a wooden frame.

Brutalism is a concept in both architecture and art. It sprouted from the Modernist movement from 1950 till 1970. It was a movement that questioned art for arts sake, and shape for sake of shape and convenience in architecture. The word Brutalism is originally drawn from the French ‘béton brut’, meaning raw concrete. Le Corbusier is a well-known Brutalist architect. 

Critics believed this style to be too dominant, too totalitarian, and too impersonal and intimidating. Brutalism did not adapt itself to its surroundings, on contrary; it detonated in its surroundings. Must said, Brutalism has next to strong criticism, many fans too. Everything outspoken can count on both admiration as disapprovement. This is the way to stick out in art. As long as your work is being discussed, all eyes are on you.

It’s a different ballgame when it comes to the brutalist movement that manifests itself outside art and architecture and in communication or behaviour. Still, brutalism on a personal, professional and political level seems to pay off. It also generates much attention, and attention is what we lust for today. A matter of style, I guess. In answer to that I’d like to launch a counter movement called; Re fine-ism, who’s with me?