Molly Warnock's Study of Simon Hantaï's Early Work and Thought
In her book "Penser la peinture: S. Hantaï," Molly Warnock delves into Simon Hantaï's artistic journey prior to his "folding as method" phase, which commenced in 1960, emphasizing his historical context. She examines significant writings such as "Démolition au platane" (1954) co-authored with Jean Schuster, "Sexe-Prime. Hommage à Jean-Pierre Brisset" (1956), and "Notes confusionelles accélérantes et autres…" (1957), which signify a departure from surrealism. Warnock sheds light on lesser-known pieces from 1955 to 1959, showcasing Hantaï's divergence from lyrical abstraction through techniques of repetition and seriality. She positions him alongside figures like Marcel Duchamp and Georges Bataille, noting his interaction with religious texts, especially those by Gaston Fessard, which shaped his idea of "ordinary painting" as a spiritual practice.
Key facts
- Molly Warnock authored 'Penser la peinture : S. Hantaï' published by Gallimard.
- The study focuses on Simon Hantaï's work before his folding method (1960).
- Analyzes texts: 'Démolition au platane' (1954), 'Sexe-Prime' (1956), and 'Notes confusionelles' (1957).
- Examines scrapings (1955-58) and script paintings (1958-59).
- Highlights Hantaï's connections to Duchamp, Mathieu, Bataille, Jungmann, and Fessard.
- Hantaï's 'ordinary painting' concept emerged from 1958, rooted in religious sources.
- The book distinguishes Hantaï from lyrical abstraction through impeded gesture.
- Repetition and seriality are key principles in Hantaï's painting.
Entities
Artists
- Molly Warnock
- Simon Hantaï
- Jean Schuster
- Jean-Pierre Brisset
- Marcel Duchamp
- Georges Mathieu
- Georges Bataille
- Josef Andreas Jungmann
- Gaston Fessard
- Ignatius of Loyola
- Jackson Pollock
Institutions
- Gallimard
Sources
- artpress —