In art, fragmentation refers to a technique where an artist fragments the picture plane into several related shards, layers or pieces. This approach breaks down the visual space or subject matter into distinct parts.
Understanding Fragmentation in Art
Fragmentation is a deliberate artistic choice used to manipulate perception, disrupt conventional representation, and add layers of meaning to a work. It involves breaking down the traditional unified view of a subject or scene.
How Artists Achieve Fragmentation
Artists achieve fragmentation by dividing the visual space or subject matter into multiple distinct elements. These elements might be disconnected, overlapping, or arranged in non-linear ways.
Based on the reference, these fragments can take different forms:
- Physical Fragments: These relate to the tangible aspects of the artwork's depiction.
- Pictorial space (how the depth or area is broken up)
- Literal subject matter (showing parts of an object or figure rather than the whole)
- Metaphorical Fragments: These represent concepts or ideas that are fragmented or incomplete.
- Depicting fragments of memory
- Representing symbolic remnants of our subconscious
By using fragmentation, artists can invite viewers to piece together the meaning themselves, reflect on fractured realities, or represent the complexities of the mind or external world.
