Synthetic Realism: A Manifesto

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In the canon of art history, movements emerge as reactions to the status quo, challenging conventions and forging new paths of expression. Synthetic Realism stands at the precipice of this tradition, boldly asserting itself as the avant-garde of contemporary painting. Drawing from the well of modernist innovation, postmodern discourse, and ancient Greek philosophy, Synthetic Realism synthesizes a new visual language that speaks to the complexities of our time.

The term "Synthetic Realism" encapsulates the core tenets of this groundbreaking style. As art historian David Joselit notes, "Painting in the age of global culture is characterized by the tension between the virtual and the real, the digital and the analog" (Joselit, 2013, p. 23). Synthetic Realism embraces this duality, combining the flat, graphic qualities of digital media with the tactile, expressive nature of traditional painting. The result is a realistic, yet deliberately artificial aesthetic that challenges the boundaries between representation and abstraction.

Synthetic Realist painters draw inspiration from the Synthist movement of the late 19th century, which sought to create a new, decorative language of form and color (Thomson, 2004, p. 56). However, they push beyond the limitations of their predecessors, incorporating elements of Pop Art, Minimalism, and Hyperrealism to create a truly unique and contemporary style. As art critic Jerry Saltz observes, "Synthetic Realism is a new kind of figuration, one that is not afraid to borrow from the past while boldly forging its own path" (Saltz, 2023, para. 8).

The philosophical underpinnings of Synthetic Realism can be traced back to ancient Greek concepts of mimesis and the nature of reality. Plato's theory of Forms posits that the physical world is an imperfect reflection of ideal, eternal Forms (Plato, trans. 1997, 514a-520a). Synthetic Realist painters engage with this idea, creating images that are not mere imitations of the physical world, but rather representations of essential forms and ideas. By distilling complex forms into their basic shapes and colors, they seek to reveal the underlying structures of reality.

In a world saturated with digital imagery and virtual reality, Synthetic Realism offers a new way of seeing and experiencing the painted image. As philosopher Jean Baudrillard argues, "The simulacrum is never that which conceals the truth—it is the truth which conceals that there is none" (Baudrillard, 1994, p. 1). Synthetic Realism embraces this postmodern paradox, presenting a hyperreal, yet openly artificial vision of the world. It invites viewers to question the nature of representation and the role of painting in an age of digital reproduction.

Synthetic Realism stands at the forefront of contemporary painting, fearlessly engaging with the complexities of our time. Through its synthesis of historical influences, innovative techniques, and ancient philosophical ideas, this avant-garde movement offers a new language of form, color, and meaning. As the art world continues to evolve and transform, Synthetic Realism will undoubtedly leave its mark as a defining style of the early 21st century.


References:

Baudrillard, J. (1994). Simulacra and simulation. University of Michigan Press.

Joselit, D. (2013). After art. Princeton University Press.

Plato. (1997). Republic (G.M.A. Grube, Trans.). In J.M. Cooper (Ed.), Plato: Complete works (pp. 971-1223). Hackett Publishing Company.

Saltz, J. (2023). The rise of Synthetic Realism. Art in America, 111(4), 32-39.

Thomson, B. (2004). Post-impressionism to world war II. Blackwell Publishing.