Aesthetic identity in ever-changing creative scenes.
Anyone who cares or at least follows any school of art, be it music, visual arts, carpentry, sculpting and etc; has noticed an aesthetic identity for particular artists. Some artists take it even further and make eras of specific aesthetics.
KANYE WEST is a close to perfect example of this. He has mastered the art of aesthetic identity establishment. From the Yeezus era with the Daft Punk on steroids Yeezus mask and the whole black skin head civil barbarian visuals to the whole Donda Faceless ascension vibe. Two relatively different eras in the aesthetic identity of Ye but two extremely well thought of and implemented aesthetic identities. As a side note, I have to add that, in a musical sense, aesthetic identity makes a project more than just a compilation of songs but more of a body of work with artistic significance.
YE in margiela mask (2013)
A random example of such a body of work is Men I Trust’s Oncle Jazz. The style of production, the visuals made for each song and the artworks released all point in the direction of a well-thought-out aesthetic identity resulting in a veritably artistic body of work.
Certain aesthetic identities are so impactful and staggering that they re-shape the artistic direction of an entire school of art. Picasso’s cubism period. Cubism was a style of art that was on flat canvas but had seemingly protruding aspects, thereby giving the illusion of a 3d structure placed on canvas. Pablo Picasso’s Girl with a Mandolin exemplifies this. The advancement of cubism led to it evolving from being seemingly analytical and methodical to a more suggestive, indicative, and emotive artform. It evoked emotion through geometric shaped that forced one’s brain to transfigure in orderto comprehend.
Girl with a mandelin by pablo picasso
Cubism sprouted the existence of cubist architecture. It has become a pillar of modern architecture in how it dissolves and reconstitutesthree-dimensional form using simple geometric shapes. Architects such as Frank Gehry have taken cubism to a whole new level. Immaculate structures such as Hotel Marques de Riscal in Spain exude cubist inspiration.
Hotel Marques de Riscal by FRAnk gehry
A further faction that has genuinely flourished in terms of aesthetic identity isthe fashion world. The fashion industry, throughout its mainstream existence has had some glass ceiling piercers and boundary destroyers. Don’t worry now, I am not about to talk about streetwear and ASAP Rocky. Instead, I’m about to talk about the different aesthetic identities that sprouted over decades in terms of fashion and overall mainstream media. Sixties fashion in mainstream media can be characterised by its hippie, easy going, bohemian aesthetic. It wasfucking awesome. It was anchored by the likes of The Beatles’ John Lennon and the Beach Boys and the Bohemian Rhapsody himself: Jimi Hendrix.
THE jimi hendrix EXPIERIENCE
You know those cool ass pictures of your parents and grandparents? The picture where they are wearing corduroy jackets, bell-bottom jeans, and disco boots? Where they’ve got huge afros with the sexiest tie-dye shirts? Yea those were taken in the 70S. The 70s were a wonderful time for everything creative, especially in fashion. From David Bowie and his beautifully unorthodox style to Elton John’s androgynous ensembles, the 70s really saw fashion become a noticeable form of expression. If I had a time machine, I would go to every single Woodstock festival of the 70s. Bask in the glory of Fleetwood Mac and Jimi Hendrix.
ELTON JOHN
Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Neo-Expressionism, Screen Printing, Campbell’s, Reebok, Vans, Michael Jackson, Prince, Princess Diana, Bucket Hats, Madonna, The Breakfast Club, Vivian Westwood, Denim Jackets. No generation has a stronger aesthetic identity than the 80s. I think this can be attested to media becoming a further reaching entity than in decades before. Its almost like the 21st century began in the 80s. I mean the first game console is a product of the 80s, The Personal Computer, The first mobile phone, and the firstspace shuttle. All of these are 80s inventions holding it down still in the 21st century.
Now for the decade that just wont die, the 90s. S/o all the 90s babies holding it down since 19 whatever. We icons. The 90s have truly and genuinely solidified their place in history. From the lauding of the cellular phone to the advancement of Hip-Hop. From the loss of Kurt Cobain to the that of Princess Diana. From the dissolution of the Soviet Union to the liberation of a number of African countries from colonialism and most significantly, the introduction of the internet. The 90s gave birth to grunge, rave, and alternative. In the 90s, life as we know it began. God bless the 90s.
Aesthetic identity is fundamental but more than that, it is also inevitable, beyond the creativity of the current scenary. Artists work hard at establishing and incorporating aesthetic identities into their respective art forms, but aesthetic identity is an ever-existing abstract concept. Its existence is not based on its application but rather on existence itself. As long as time continues to flow and existence, not necessarily life, but existence continues, so will aesthetic identity.
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