'Surveyable by a re-arrangement' : Wittgenstein, grammar and sculptural assemblage
Certain aspects of sculptural assemblage remain largely unexamined in an academic context. I contend that this mode of practice is not in need of theorisation, but that it can fruitfully be brought into dialogue with philosophy. Doing so may shed light upon assemblage and the contextual thinking which frames it. I undertake the re-evaluation of this medium by means of a reflexive engagement with the processes and concerns of my own assemblage practice. By detailing the shifts and movements of my own making, I explore the tensions and connections inherent in the historical development of this media. I discuss a connection (or family resemblance) between aspects of my sculptural practice and Ludwig Wittgensteinâs methods of grammatical disruption and displacement. I argue that thinking about sculptural assemblage grammatically provides a way of re-framing the relationship between my artworks and their contexts. This in turn facilitates an examination of the practical and philosophical implications of the âfittingtogether-nessâ of assemblage. It also brings into view a possible re-thinking of relations in a way that emphasises connective potential rather than difference or similarity.
Bowdidge, Michael John
Wittgenstein ; art ; grammar ; sculpture ; assemblage
'Surveyable by a re-arrangement' : Wittgenstein, grammar and sculptural assemblage. Certain aspects of sculptural assemblage remain largely unexamined in an academic context. I contend that this mode of practice is not in need of theorisation, but that it can fruitfully be brought into dialogue with philosophy. Doing so may shed light upon assemblage and the contextual thinking which frames it. I undertake the re-evaluation of this medium by means of a reflexive engagement with the processes and concerns of my own assemblage practice. By detailing the shifts and movements of my own making, I explore the tensions and connections inherent in the historical development of this media. I discuss a connection (or family resemblance) between aspects of my sculptural practice and Ludwig Wittgensteinâs methods of grammatical disruption and displacement. I argue that thinking about sculptural assemblage grammatically provides a way of re-framing the relationship between my artworks and their contexts. This in turn facilitates an examination of the practical and philosophical implications of the âfittingtogether-nessâ of assemblage. It also brings into view a possible re-thinking of relations in a way that emphasises connective potential rather than difference or similarity.
arrangement wittgenstein grammar sculptural assemblage certain aspects sculptural assemblage remain_largely unexamined academic_context contend mode practice need theorisation fruitfully bring dialogue philosophy may shed_light upon assemblage contextual thinking frame undertake re_evaluation medium mean reflexive engagement process concern assemblage practice detail shifts movement make explore tension connection inherent historical_development medium discuss connection family resemblance aspects sculptural practice ludwig_wittgenstein method grammatical disruption displacement argue think sculptural assemblage grammatically provide way framing relationship artwork context turn facilitate examination practical philosophical implication ness assemblage also bring view possible re_thinking relation way emphasise connective potential rather difference_similarity