Traditional art technologies as the basis of experiments in contemporary art (on the example of levkas technology)

Abstract

The purpose of the work is to comprehend the experiments conducted by artists with traditional technology «levkas» and describe their results in modern art practice. Methodology. The study used a comparative method and comparative analysis of technical and technological features of the traditional icon-painting levkas and modern painting (using this soil). For this purpose, in the practice of modern levkas, works were identified that correspond to the concept of «artistic experiment». The scientific novelty lies in the analysis and refinement of technical and technological innovations in the modern artistic practice of levkas, which were invented and applied by some Ukrainian artists. Conclusions. In the modern artistic practice of levkas there are works: created on the plane (one and two-sided) and art objects. On surface treatment, they can be smooth and textured; with low (bulk) and high (overhead) sculptural relief. When creating textures, different fillers are added to the soil. Components of traditional recipes are sometimes replaced by modern materials. Usually the basis for the levkasny ground is a board, but also it can be pieces of wooden furniture or a canvas. Levkasny ground covers the surface of the work completely or partially. Collage techniques in levkas are becoming a common practice. The mixing of techniques and technologies of fine arts led to the creation of a new technique – «gesography». The inclusion of finished objects in the work is a new technique (it is associated with ready-mades). The graphite pencil in levkas showed a new function of the material (drawing on levkas). This way of using a graphite pencil opens up space for new experiments with graphics and levkas.
 Key words: levkas, soil for icon painting, icon painting, gesography, art object, artistic experiment.