Eclecticism
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
| Revision as of 17:44, 22 May 2007 WikiSysop (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff |
Revision as of 17:45, 22 May 2007 WikiSysop (Talk | contribs) Next diff → |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
| ==Architecture and art== | ==Architecture and art== | ||
| - | [[Image:New York-palota 01.jpg|right|thumb|300px|[[New York Palace (Budapest)|New York Palace]], [[Budapest]] ([[Hungary]])]] | + | |
| The term eclecticism is used to describe the combination in a single work of elements from different historical styles, chiefly in architecture and, by implication, in the fine and decorative arts. The term is sometimes also loosely applied to the general stylistic variety of [[19th century]] architecture after [[Neo-classicism]] (c. 1820), although the revivals of styles in that period have, since the 1970s, generally been referred to as aspects of [[historicism]]. | The term eclecticism is used to describe the combination in a single work of elements from different historical styles, chiefly in architecture and, by implication, in the fine and decorative arts. The term is sometimes also loosely applied to the general stylistic variety of [[19th century]] architecture after [[Neo-classicism]] (c. 1820), although the revivals of styles in that period have, since the 1970s, generally been referred to as aspects of [[historicism]]. | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
| * [[Eclecticism (medicine)]] | * [[Eclecticism (medicine)]] | ||
| * [[Freeform (radio format)]] | * [[Freeform (radio format)]] | ||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | =Eclecticism= | ||
| - | ==What is it?== | ||
| - | '''Eclecticism''' is a kind of mixed style in the [[fine arts]]: "the [[borrowing]] of a variety of [[Art movement|style]]s from different sources and combining them" (Hume 2003, p.5). Significantly, Eclecticism hardly ever constituted a specific style in [[art]]: it is characterized by the fact that it was not a particular style. In general, the term describes the combination in a single work of a variety of influences — mainly of elements from different historical styles in [[architecture]], [[painting]], and the [[graphic arts|graphic]] and [[decorative arts]]. In [[music]] the term used may be either eclecticism, [[Crossover (music)|Crossover music]], or [[hip hop|hip-hop]]. | ||
| - | ==In the visual arts== | ||
| - | The term '''eclectic''' was first used by [[Johann Joachim Winckelmann]] to characterize the art of the [[Carracci]], who incorporated in their paintings elements from the [[Renaissance]] and [[Art in ancient Greece#Classical|classic]]al traditions. Indeed, [[Agostino Carracci|Agostino]], [[Annibale Carracci|Annibale]] and [[Lodovico Carracci]] had tried to combine in their art [[Michelangelo]]'s line, [[Titian]]'s [[color]], [[Antonio da Correggio|Correggio]]'s [[chiaroscuro]], and [[Raffaello Santi|Raphael]]'s [[symmetry]] and [[wiktionary:grace|grace]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | In the [[18th century]], [[Sir Joshua Reynolds]], head of the [[Royal Academy of Arts]] in [[London]], was one of the most influential advocates of eclecticism. In the sixth of his famous academical ''Discourses'' (1774), he wrote that the painter may use the work of the ancients as a "magazine of common property, always open to the public, whence every man has a right to take what materials he pleases." In [[19th century|19th-century]] [[England]], [[John Ruskin]] also pleaded for eclecticism. | ||
| - | ==Hip hop and western architecture== | ||
| - | Eclecticism was an important concept in Western architecture during the mid and late 19th century, and it reappeared in a new guise in the latter part of the [[20th century]]. Much of [[postmodern]] art is characterized by eclecticism: in [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]]. The fusion of samples from different genres has become very popular. Particularly in [[turntablism]], the branch of "dj-ing" devoted to one's use of such equipment as though it were any other. A diverse record collection, along with general know-how or "finesse" with the equipment given is seen as an object of status. In fact, the postmodernity of hip hop grows exceedingly, all the time. One such example of this might be the fact that [[hip hop|hip-hop]] [[DJ]] who is known primarily by the alias [[Cut Chemist]] has an album called [[The Audience's Listening]], which was released in [[2006]]. Samples on this album range from [[Bossa Nova|Astrud and Gilberto Gil]] to [[Outsider_music|Bruce Haack]], and even [[conscious_hip_hop|Eric B. & Rakim]]. | ||
| - | |||
| - | [[Picasso]] has often been cited as an eclectic artist because of his [[Pablo Picasso/African|African-influenced Period]]. | ||
Revision as of 17:45, 22 May 2007
|
Related e |
|
Featured: |
Eclecticism is a conceptual approach that does not hold rigidly to a single paradigm or set of assumptions, but instead draws upon multiple theories, styles, or ideas to gain complementary insights into a subject, or applies different theories in particular cases.
It can be inelegant, and eclectics are sometimes criticised for lack of consistency in their thinking, but it is common in many fields of study. For example, most psychologists accept parts of behaviorism, but do not attempt to use the theory to explain all aspects of human behavior. [1] [May 2007]
Contents |
Origin
Eclecticism was first practiced by a group of ancient philosophers who attached themselves to no real system, but selected from existing philosophical beliefs those doctrines that seemed most reasonable to them. Out of this collected material they constructed their new system of philosophy. The term comes from the Greek eklektikos: choosing the best. Well known eclectics in Greek philosophy were the Stoics Panaetius and Posidonius, and the New Academics Carneades and Philo of Larissa. Among the Romans, Cicero was thoroughly eclectic, as he united the Peripatetic, Stoic, and New Academic doctrines. Further eclectics were Varro and Seneca.
Architecture and art
The term eclecticism is used to describe the combination in a single work of elements from different historical styles, chiefly in architecture and, by implication, in the fine and decorative arts. The term is sometimes also loosely applied to the general stylistic variety of 19th century architecture after Neo-classicism (c. 1820), although the revivals of styles in that period have, since the 1970s, generally been referred to as aspects of historicism.
Eclecticism plays an important role in critical discussions and evaluations but is somehow distant from the actual forms of the artefacts to which it is applied, and its meaning is thus rather indistinct. The simplest definition of the term—that every work of art represents the combination of a variety of influences—is so basic as to be of little use. In some ways Eclecticism is reminiscent of Mannerism in that the term was used pejoratively for much of the period of its currency, although, unlike Mannerism, Eclecticism never amounted to a movement or constituted a specific style: it is characterized precisely by the fact that it was not a particular style.
Music
Eclecticism is also known as a new popular music stream in the house scene. Dutch DJs like Don Diablo, Gregor Salto and Erick E are active in this music. Eclecticism is popular among Experimental Music Artists like Alex Ross-Iver,Tom Waits and Les Claypool.
Robin Holloway cites the composers Britten, Shostakovich, Copland, Poulenc and Tippett as eclectic composers, 'along the lines first boldly laid by Stravinsky; they make their idiom from very diverse sources, assimilating and transforming them into themselves'
