Abstract
Formalism, traditionally tied to notions of essence, purity, or aesthetic pleasure, is redefined in contemporary thought as a dynamic, open-ended process. This renewed perspective reframes formalism not as an adherence to static structures but as a performative and material configuration that embodies becoming. Through the correspondence of W.J.T. Mitchell and Gottfried Boehm, we explore form as a visualization process that aligns with the Iconic/Pictorial Turn and engages with New Materialist frameworks. This perspective redefines form not as a static entity but as a performative act, dynamically constituting the iconic through material processes. Instead of focusing on the abstract end product, a new formalistic materialist framework emphasizes on the abstractness of the process of becoming whilst engaging with the very personal and distinctive particularities of each form. The present argument situates form within the performative spectrum, linking its evolving character to the materiality and embodiment of matter. Forms, as the visual configurations intrinsic to the image, can both parallel and serve as a methodological tool in the Iconic/Pictorial Turn, contributing to the new paradigm shift in contemporary discourse around images. In this context, form signifies an embodied condition, directing our attention to performativity and materiality.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Form, Performativity, Embodiment, Iconic/Pictorial Turn, Process
