Hyperrealism

Hyperrealism or photorealism is a figurative artistic movement that reproduces reality with a sharpness and definition similar to photographic accuracy, but applying pictorial or sculptural techniques that make the image more vivid than mere photography.

Hyperrealist art originated towards the end of the 1960s in response to the abstract, conceptual and non-objectual approaches of contemporary art. At first, the critics were not favorable, but it found its center in the V documenta exhibition in Kassel, Germany, in 1972. Today, it has become an influential movement and remains active. To understand it better, let’s get to know the characteristics, authors and the most representative works of hyperrealism.

Characteristics of hyperrealism

Although hyperrealism expresses the influence of conceptual art and is often classified as pop art due to its apparent thematic triviality, it is a movement with well-defined characteristics of its own. These characteristics distinguish them from conceptualism and, especially, from pop art. Let’s see.

Notion of hyperreality as a foundation

Hyperrealism is based on the philosophical notion of hyperreality, developed in the 20th century. Understand that the human brain is incapable of distinguishing between fact and fiction. Applied to art, the concept of hyperreality brings us closer to the simulacrum , whose realism is more convincing than the human language. The objective world.

absolute descriptive verismo

The hyperrealist work must be so credible (realistic) that it seems more alive than the known reality. Therefore, the artists hide any evidence of the execution process through perfection in the finishes. Nothing can interrupt the sensation of being before a work that seems to have a life of its own. Thus, hyperrealism separates itself from movements that openly exhibited its procedures, such as impressionism, post-impressionism or abstract expressionism, among others.

Virtuosity and attention to detail

Virtuosity is related to technical perfection, aimed at achieving definition and absolute sharpness. For this reason, he delights in the taste for detail, which allows to increase realism. Both virtuosity and attention to detail give hyperrealism an academic tone. These two features, moreover, were characteristic of Baroque art centuries ago. For this reason, it is not strange that hyperrealism reminds us of the baroque in its spirit of disappointment in the face of reality. Nothing else reveals sensationalism.

Seemingly trivial topics

The themes of hyperrealistic art are varied. Human figures, urban scenes and landscapes, still lifes, consumer society objects, ephemeral moments, elements of nature, etc. are frequently seen. These issues give the appearance of being trivial. However, they have the deep sense of expressing the despair of the consumer society. Likewise, they are an opportunity to reflect on the role of audiovisual media, in their attempt to supplant reality.

diversity of trends

Hyperrealism is expressed in different tendencies. One of them is photographic realism or photorealism, which uses photography as a starting point. The other is figurative or radical realism, which dispenses with the photographic resource as support. All of them are different expressions of hyperrealism.

hyperrealistic sculpture

Hyperrealistic sculpture is even more literal than painting in its representation of reality. For this reason, it is usually executed in natural size from molds. However, you can increase its effects by using colossal dimensions.

Due to the possibilities it offers, hyperrealist sculpture tends to focus its attention on the human figure. He frequently uses techniques widely known in the tradition such as modeling, casting, and painting. However, his materials are less orthodox: fiberglass, silicone, acrylic, resin paints and everyday objects incorporated into the work.

Among the most prominent hyperrealist sculptors , we can mention Duane Hanson, John Davies, John De Andrea, Carole A. Feuerman and Ron Müeck, among others.

DuaneHanson . American sculptor (1925-1996). He became known thanks to the life-size sculptures that he executed, charged with a true appearance of life thanks to the fine care of all the details. His figures often express character traits. Among his best-known works are: Supermarket Lady (1969) and Woman eating (1971).

John Davies . British sculptor (1946). He seeks to investigate the psychological consistency of the characters that he represents in his sculpture. To do this, he uses different types of “artifacts” that may seem strange to the scene, but are consistent with the theme. Among his best-known works are Head of William Jeffrey (1972) and Young Man (1969-1971).

Carol A. Feuerman . American painter and sculptor (1945). Her work usually has the theme of water as a transversal line, an expression of the search for inner balance. She has developed numerous works of public art. Among her most important works we can mention Monumental Brooke with Beachball (2010) and The Midpoint (2017).

Ron Mueck . Australian sculptor (1958). This artist is characterized by making colossal sculptures that represent parts of the human body. Among some of his best known works we can mention Boy (1999), Máscara II (2002) and New Born .

hyper realistic painting

For hyperrealist painters, photography is an adulterated reality, a copy of reality, so they start from it to give the image true life. They do not intend to compete with photography, but to take advantage of the resource to reflect on the authenticity of images in a society dominated by audiovisual media.

Some painters use photography for the development of their works. In this case, they resort to techniques such as the projection of slides on the support. Others opt for the traditional observation of reality. They all apply chiaroscuro in detail, the perfect mix of colors and the study of the refraction of light on objects, since the vivacity of the work depends on it. His pictorial techniques are traditional: oil painting is the most common.

Among the most prominent hyperrealism painters are Malcolm Morley, Richard Estes, Ralph Goings, Mary Pratt and Antonio López, among others.

Malcolm Morley . English painter (1931-2018). His work registers very different stages and styles and, many times, with a parallel development. However, he has been a well-known exponent of the hyperrealism current. Some of the author’s best-known hyperrealist works are: Beach scene (1968); Horses (1969) and Tackle (2004).

Richard Estes . American painter (1932). He was characterized by the precision of appearances in his works. However, he does not seek to imitate the photographic finish, but starts from photography to investigate the refraction of light. Likewise, he makes use of geometry in his compositions. Best known works: Telephone booths (1967); People’s Flowers (1971) and Double Self-Portrait (1976).

Ralph Goings . American painter (1928-2016). Outstanding representative of the current of photorealism. His themes are usually inspired by urban elements such as hamburger stands, transport and places in the city, as well as seemingly trivial objects, such as ashtrays or jugs. The background of his themes rests on the quality of life of the consumer society. Most representative works: Still Life With Peppers (1981), Dinner (1990) and Coffee and Donut (2005).

Mary Pratt . Canadian painter (1935-2018). She embraced the current of pictorial photorealism, and became an extraordinary exponent of the still life (or still life) genre and she represented all kinds of everyday objects with extraordinary accuracy. Among her works are Egg Carton (1975), Bowl’d Banana (1981) and Smears of Jam, Lights of Jelly (2007).

Anthony Lopez . Spanish painter and sculptor (1936). His center of interest is in everyday issues, which he represents with photographic rigor without using photographs as support. Among his most important works, the following stand out: Mirror and sink (1967); View of Madrid from Capitán Haya (1987-1996) and The Family of Juan Carlos I (2014).