Photography

Bricolage

The practice of mixing together existing types and styles, opens up new possibilities. Meanings can be produced in different ways; different types of stories can be told, new combinations are possible. It is this type of mixing that is often referred to as ‘bricolage’.

Bricolage is best known as the French word which incorporates several terms for making things through improvisation;’ tinkering’, ‘repair’ or ‘making do and getting by’. The English equivalent is ‘do-it-yourself (DIY) and like B&Q, ‘Bricolage’ is seen on large shed retail outlets throughout France. A person who engages in bricolage is known as a bricoleur. In art, ‘bricolage’ is a technique where works are constructed from various materials available or on hand, and is seen as a characteristic of postmodernism. In a variety of ways it is linked to the ‘collage’, ‘assemblage’ and ‘merz’ of DaDa. Perhaps bricolage is as much about a way of making things, as it is a general attitude.


In the Post-modernism exhibition at the V&A there were examples of bricolage pieces by Kurt Schwitters, Richard Shaw and Gary  Knox-Bennett.

'Unbelievably Modern Lamp' Knox-Bennett

Gary Shaw

'Unbelievably Modern Lamp' shows the 'ad hoc' method of composition that Knox-Bennett used in many of his pieces. The playful title, bold primary colour palette and prominent use of found objects represents the shift of Knox's work from west coast pop and funk design to Post-modern style.

In our photography elective we created our own bricolage objects like that of the post-modernists, out of found objects and then photographed and edited them in different ways...