Is there a significance to the contrast of maroon and blue?
I can't say that I know the significance of the contrasting colors concretely but Hyde could be referencing landscape painting. In this case the maroon above the blue suggests a seascape, while the fact that the blue is made of tarpaulin also plays on the material's water resistance.
The blue tarpaulin is a common and recognizable material found in modern life. As in may of Hyde's works, objects that are related to architecture and everyday life are applied to the form and experience of painting.
"Float"
is arranged as a painted form, that rejects the confines of traditional painting. In "Float," James Hyde creates an object representing a painting rather than a painting representing an object.
Got it. Thanks!
Can you tell me about "Float?"
James Hyde is known for using industrial materials to create works that explore the idea of painting in three dimensions.
The blue tarp in "Float" acts as pure color, the way that blue functions in a painting.
Why did he choose these materials?
I'm glad you asked! James Hyde's work explores the limitations of painting, using everyday materials to explore the history of painting and its physical form.
In "Float", he can be said to create an object of a painting, rather than a painting that represents an object. The tarpaulin and polyester make the piece more relatable to the viewer and more accessible. The materials also add dimension to this object that he calls a painting, which lets him explore and play with what it means to make and view a painting!
The "Float" piece in Infinite Blue— made from polyester and tarp— what's the story there?
The artist, James Hyde, is known for using industrial materials to create works that explore the limits of painting. Here he is using tarps to evoke color field painting in 3-D.
In a way, it is an object representing a painting rather than a painting representing an object! I like the way the artwork moves from being a 2-D work on the wall to a 3-D sculpture.
Cool! Thanks! I like the fact that it is fabric as well. It moves.
You're welcome! I agree! It also means the artwork looks slightly different every time it is installed.
What is this?
This is a painting by James Hyde. Hyde is a conceptual artist who is interested in exploring the boundaries of what a painting is and can be.
He uses materials that are not conventionally found in art, but relate to people's daily lives, and puts them together to create an image. We don't often think of paintings as having a three-dimensional aspect to them, and Hyde pushes that boundary.
I can't tell if this fly is part of the work.
That fly is just a fly, but Hyde does favor everyday, relatable materials for his work! James Hyde's “Float” is a really fascinating piece. The artist himself views the work as a painting, and the work reflects on the history and conventions of painting!
Hahaha good to know. Thanks.
You're welcome! Contemporary art really can be tricky that way can't it? When tape and tarpaulin are part of a work, a fly could so easily be as well!
It was so perfectly poised! Great work without it, though.
Agreed!
What is that?
The artist, James Hyde, explores the dimensional and representational qualities of painting in three dimensions. In this work he arranges common materials, blue tarpaulin and polyester knit fabric, in a horizontal orientation, referencing landscape painting. But by having the blue spill out onto the floor and doubling over the red fabric on top, he is breaking the traditional picture plane. You can also think of this as an analogue to a figure, like the Madonna, who often wears a maroon dress with a blue robe. The robe often drapes onto the floor next to her. If you think about the title, "Float," it suggests an ethereal quality that is associated with divinity.
Hi, I'm curious about this work.
What drew you to it?
The combination of materials that were used.
I think that's exactly what the artist intended to be the initial point of interest. Hyde often uses everyday, even industrial, materials in his work to further challenge the "limitations" of painting and the picture plane. Hyde especially favors synthetic materials. He has utilized vinyl, styrofoam, painted glass, silk, industrial carpet, and silicone as well as felt and tarp, in other works.