THE ARTISTS OF THE NEW REALISM
The new realism in France symbolizes a consumer society. It particularly developed in the south of France with the creation of the School of Nice in opposition to the School of Paris. The term “realism” refers to the artistic and literary movement of the 19th century, a movement which attempts to show everyday life without magnifying it (without making it more beautiful).
New realism appeared in the 1950s but became official in 1960. The starting point was the group’s declaration written by Pierre Restany, at Yves Klein. This declaration was notably signed by European artists such as Yves Klein, César, Arman…
Artists recover discarded objects. They use it to create their works. They use trash, cars, concrete, sheet metal which thus become new materials. These artists take objects from everyday reality to transform them into symbols of this post-war revival of consumption.
To work on reality, to appropriate it, artists try new forms. It is not a question of representing the world but of presenting it.
By opposing the lyrical and abstract artistic trends of the time, the neo-realists became one of the most important avant-garde movements of the 1960s.
THE MOVEMENT'S ARTISTS
List of gallery artists ⇓
