Minimalism as an artistic movement goes beyond appealing to simple language, clean lines and pure colors. Minimalism is a philosophy of life that focuses on revaluing the priorities of the individual; in knowing how to preserve essential objects and dispense with what is superfluous. It is living with what you love and inspire.
Ecological houses:
Sustainable homes that reduce environmental impact
➥ Read article
While it is true that minimalism is not incompatible with capitalism, it does emerge as a counterpoint to excessive consumerism. Extreme consumption can produce a vicious circle in which man acquires more belongings than he can use, or even than he can pay for. This dissipated behavior leads to the objects having greater power over that individual. In minimalism, harmony with material things is reborn.
The minimalist trend intends to prioritize and defend a balanced physical space tooth and nail, in the face of a space crammed with superficial elements.. Minimalism has transformed into an ecological lifestyle. Museums, bars, parks, restaurants, hotels, companies and private homes have adopted minimalism as an alternative to reduce the stress of everyday life and break with routine.
What is minimalism?
The concept of minimalism is based on a way of life in which the ornamental or unnecessary is eliminated from everyday elements; It is reduced to the essence. It also has its roots in asceticism, a religious and philosophical doctrine that aims to purify the spirit through the rejection of material pleasures. It also resembles the tiny house movementa movement in the United States that advocates living in small or simple houses.
By understanding what minimalist means, you begin to promote true detachment from material and sentimental possessions. It is in accordance with an ideal pace of life for a sustainable world. In minimalism, objects are not accumulated, but time and money are invested in personal fulfillment, such as studying a profession, learning about new cultures or sharing moments with loved ones.
How to get started in the minimalist style is a critical topic, but it is a path that is built daily. For example, the first step may be to clean an area that is used frequently and discard unused objects to organize functional items. It is a practice that allows make decisions on the premise of what is important and what is not.
Among the characteristics of minimalist art are spaces that combine and are appreciated as a whole. The colors of minimalism are characterized by being pure, monochromatic, with soft tones, in which white predominates due to its luminosity. Tan or black colors also take center stage, with light touches of color to highlight the details, such as a red or green rug or pillow.
Within the minimalist setting, wooden furniture and floors are a key point. Furniture should be simple and practical, in the necessary quantity. Modern furniture with an oriental style is appropriate in the minimalist trend. As for the walls, they can be covered with stones, painted with a neutral color or hang an author’s painting.
Rustic materials such as glass, insulated cement, stones or steel wires are also common. The minimalist decoration leaves aside printed fabrics; Rustic fabrics are preferably used, in tones such as ivory or beige, with a texture similar to linen or canvas.
How is minimalism born?
The origin of minimalism It dates back to the early 1960s in the United States. The minimalist movement emerged in contrast to the excessive use of pop art and realist trends in museums of that time. The term minimalism was coined by the English philosopher Richard Wollheim, in an article for the magazine Art Magazine, in the year 1965.
In this article, Wollheim referred to the works of Adolph Dietmar Friedrich Reinhardt, known as “Ad Reinhardt”, a painter and writer who promoted conceptual and minimalist art. He also mentioned Marcel Duchamp, French artist who created the term ready-made, which means “found object” or “found art”, characterized by using low-elaboration objects with high intellectual content.
Among the first painters and sculptors who joined the so-called minimal art, Robert Mangold, Reinhardt and Dan Flavin stand out. However, the minimalist birth was also projected in architecture, design and lifestyle.
Minimalism and its characteristics
Minimalism as culture
Chris Wray, writer of the blog TwoLessThings.co.uk, emphasizes the following: “Minimalism is not almost empty white rooms with little furniture.” Neominimalism sneaks into culture after the development of Western art after World War II.
As part of the meaning of minimalist, a readjustment in artistic and cultural activity emerged to give way to the participation of the viewer. This is known as happening, a multidisciplinary manifestation that originated in 1950, whose objective was to include the public in the artistic event by breaking traditional schemes. An example of this is the colorful installations of photographer Spencer Tunick.
As characteristics of cultural minimalism, reference is made to abstraction, dematerialization, order, balance, simplicity.to rectilinear elemental geometry together with functional and structural purism.
Minimalism as art
In the 60s, minimalism revolutionized the relationship between a work of art and the space where it is displayed. In these spaces, bare, white walls and large-scale rooms predominate, in addition to minimalist contemporary geometric abstraction. Taking the field of sculpture as an example, minimalism was represented by Carl Andre, Sol LeWitt and Donald Judd.
Minimalist sculpture has shapes similar to spheres, pyramids and even cubes. arranged at right angles or in series. They are large-format works that play with the contrasts of glossy-matte, thick-fine or soft-rough.
At the same time, minimalist painting, with all its influence on constructivism, was reflected thanks to Robert Ryman and Robert Mangold as main exponents. Minimalist paintings are identified by being monochromatic surfaces, with very subtle lines and dots near the edge or by brush strokes.
Minimalism as music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGY2_qnHpJE
Minimalist music had its roots in the 1960s in North America. The first minimalist composition belongs to Terry Riley, In C, from 1964. However, others attribute Michael Nyman, British pianist, musicologist and composer, as a minimalist musician.
This music obeys certain characteristics of the minimalist style, according to Kyle Eugene Gann, American professor and composer. The repetition of short musical phrases, the static harmony of not changing chords, the static instrumentation in which several instruments sound in unison and the oriental elements.
La Monte Young, Philip Glass and Steve Reich are prominent American composers who also join the list of European composers, such as Yann Tiersen, Steve Martland and Wim Mertens.
Minimalism in architecture
Japanese design and architecture intervene in minimalist design and architecture. The use of simple elements symbolized in organized lines and planes is a particularity of this philosophical trend.. The works of De Stijlan artistic movement that sought to integrate art, is a reference.
Some of the most representative minimalist artists of minimalist architecture are Hiroshi Naito, Tadao Ando and John Pawson. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s German Pavilion located in Barcelona, Spain, is an example of creations of this nature.
Economy of resources is another vital aspect in minimalist design. The bright and electric environments, as well as the high spaces loft or buildings with a second floor, or mezzanine, express the austerity in the design composition.
Minimalism as a lifestyle
Each human being has their perception of what minimalist art is according to their ideals, preferences and needs. However, There are more risky minimalists who defend a lighter lifestyle: they only live with 100 essential objects. Or they join the “33 project,” which consists of saving only 33 important items of clothing.
Minimalists are generally English-speaking, although Spanish-speakers also contribute their share to this sustainable way of living. On the other hand, it influences the quality of life of those who practice it. By only having a few priority objects, cleaning is facilitated, avoiding illnesses and allergies due to the dust accumulated in the things that are stored.
Collapsed closets and drawers are no longer an obstacle when moving. The minimalist atmosphere saves time and space if a person lives, for example, in an apartment of 45 and 90 m2.
Minimalism in gastronomy
Large plates with small portions of food; that would be the quintessential definition of gastronomic minimalism. With the simplicity of the dishes, the flavors and textures merge in the same presentation. The plates usually have colors such as red, black or white.
Deconstruction in cooking consists of preserving the characteristics of a dish, but using a new presentation. Foods in minimalism should not exceed 5 centimeters in size and should combine basic geometric shapes.
Sobriety, together with a futuristic presentation of an ancient recipe, hits the mark to elevate gastronomic minimalism to higher levels. Characteristics include the precision in the finishes and the literal use of materials.
Benefits of minimalism
Being a minimalist opens a door to financial freedom, since having few objects means you spend less.. A minimalist home generates less stress, it is easier to have control over the right things. People of the stature of Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs followed the practice of minimalism in detail to enhance productivity in their companies.
In minimalism, the word “delete” does not always mean “throw away.” Objects that are no longer useful to one individual can be very useful to others. Donating tools, clothing, furniture, utensils or toys is an alternative to venturing into this artistic movement.
What are minimalist people like?
Minimalist people differ from the rest because they are very attached to order and cleanliness.. They have the quality of living only with what they need to be proactive. They keep track of the things they want to keep or use and know what other things are not beneficial for their peace of mind. The phrase “in case I need it” has no place.
Why minimalism is important for a sustainable world
Society has always imposed parameters that affect uncontrolled consumption, an example of this is shopping at Christmas time. Irresponsible consumption depletes resources, pollutes the environment, increases the appearance of waste, encourages animal abuse and interferes with climate change.
What is minimalism? This question has endless answers and a single purpose. Minimalism promotes a sustainable world. Eliminate the misconception that happiness lies in material possessions. The minimalist lifestyle is in harmony with the social context, promoting a cooperative sense with the natural environment. Minimalism positively reorients aspects of society, culture and the economy.
