Tag Archives: Jean Dubuffet

Pollock, Ossorio, or Dubuffet?

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Artists Jackson Pollock, Alfonso Ossorio, and Jean Dubuffet forged a fascinating friendship and transcontinental artistic dialogue, borrowing and exchanging techniques from each other as they experimented with their individual styles. Angels, Demons, and Savages highlights this exchange. Upon entering a room in the exhibition, you may find it hard to tell which artist painted which canvases.

Test your knowledge: can you identify which artist painted each of the below works from the exhibition? Answers after the jump.

Nine paintings by Jackson Pollock, Alfonso Ossorio, and Jean Dubuffet

Can you match each image with the artist who created it?

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Dancing with Savages

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In this series of guest posts, three choreographers from CityDance talk about the artwork that inspired their movement for this Thursday’s Angels, Demons, and Savages-inspired Valentine’s Day Dance Experience (UPDATE: this program is sold out). Read Lorraine Spiegler on Alfonso Ossorio’s The Helpful Angels here and Christopher K. Morgan on Jackson Pollock’s Untitled (1951) here. Today, Robert J. Priore discusses Jean Dubuffet’s Paysage Metapsychique (Metapsychical Landscape), 1952.

Jean Dubuffet, Paysage métapsychique (Metapsychical Landscape), 1952. Oil on canvas, 51 1/8 x 63 3/4 in. Des Moines Art Center. Gift of Melva Bucksbaum in honor of the Des Moines Art Center’s 50th anniversary © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

Jean Dubuffet, Paysage métapsychique (Metapsychical Landscape), 1952. Oil on canvas, 51 1/8 x 63 3/4 in. Des Moines Art Center. Gift of Melva Bucksbaum in honor of the Des Moines Art Center’s 50th anniversary © 2012 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris

When I think of savages (the name of my piece), I think earthy. I think of movement that is very natural, the dancers are always making actual contact. It’s not contrived partnering; they are connecting with the earth, with themselves, and with each other in a real and raw way.

—Robert J. Priore, CityDance Conservatory choreographer-in-residence

Get Ready to Face Your Angels, Demons, and Savages

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Alfonso Ossorio at the Creeks, 1952. Photograph by Hans Namuth ©1991 Hans Namuth Estate, Courtesy Center for Creative Photography. Jean Dubuffet’s Francis Ponge (noir sur fond), 1947, appears at near left; Jackson Pollock’s Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist) at center; and Dubuffet’s Les Petits Yeux Jaunes, 1951, at right.

Alfonso Ossorio at the Creeks, 1952. Photograph by Hans Namuth ©1991 Hans Namuth Estate, Courtesy Center for Creative Photography. Jean Dubuffet’s Francis Ponge (noir sur fond), 1947, appears at near left; Jackson Pollock’s Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist) at center; and Dubuffet’s Les Petits Yeux Jaunes, 1951, at right.

Left to right: Jackson Pollock’s Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist), 14); Jean Dubuffet’s Paysage métapsychique (Metapsychical Landscape), 1952; and Alfonso Ossorio’s Reforming Figure, 1952. Photo: Sarah Osborne Bender