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ASSEMBLISM NELSONN ASSEMBLIST RELIEF CONTACT ASSEMBLIST SCULPTURES 108 ASSEMBLIST PAINTINGS LINKS HOME SITE MAP

ASSEMBLISM NELSONN ASSEMBLIST RELIEF CONTACT ASSEMBLIST SCULPTURES 108 ASSEMBLIST PAINTINGS LINKS HOME SITE MAP	BACKGROUND. A NEW MOVEMENT IN ART AND ARCHITECTURE In 2006, the artist Nelsonn, based in both Cumbria and Cornwall , exhibited a multi-titled piece of work at the St Ives Society of Artists. In the title he used the term Reconstructivism, but was uncomfortable with this because of its inextricable link to the Russian movement of Contructivism. Although he freely admits to having been influenced by the working methods of this movement, he still felt he needed to find a name for this new form of artistic expression and coined the word Assemblism. This name ideally suited both the techniques he used and the symbology he wished to convey.
NELSONN'S DRAFT DEFINITION OF ASSEMBLISM “Assemblism is the form of art produced by the use of skill, method or technique and imagination, and the ‘ Ten Principles of Assemblism', to construct and assemble individual components made specifically by or for the artist.” (This is in contrast to Collage or Assemblage, where the constituent elements are often found or readymade objects or pieces). “The work produced by the assembly of these parts or elements is intended to generate an emotion in the viewer or recipient and to convey a message for interpretation, with the specific aim to educate and enlighten. The message conveyed in the work being related to the Assemblist Manifesto, and any additions to the main manifesto added by an individual Assemblist artist.”
THE TEN PRINCIPLES OF ASSEMBLISM (a brief description)
NELSONN'S TEN PRINCIPLES ARE SUBTITLED:
COMPOSITION COLOUR COMPETANCE COLLABORATION CONSTRUCTION CONTENT CREATIVITY COMMUNICATION CONFIDENCE CREDIBILITY
A new series of relief sculptures, or ‘Dimensionals' as he calls them, were then produced using these principles in their construction.

COMPOSITION Composition is the plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of a work of art. In Assemblism the general goal is to produce and place appropriate elements within the work in order to communicate ideas and feelings to the viewer. Effective composition is a primary objective of Assemblism.

COLOUR In Assemblism, colour is one of the most powerful of the visual or formal elements. Colour interactions, namely hue, value, and intensity interactions, the study of certain combination of colours (or colour schemes), and using colour as a means of expression, are all extremely important, if the Assemblist artist is to exploit the use of colour, as one of the most powerful means of visual communication. As part of his experimentation into the ‘language' of colour, and the importance of content and occasionally the title, Nelsonn produced the ‘108'series, using one hundred and eight elements in the work. He specifically used 108 elements because this was part of the broader message he wished to convey within the work. (Please see “108” section). EXAMPLES OF NELSONN'S ASSEMBLIST ARTWORK



COMPETENCE. One of the main aims of Assemblism is that Assemblist artists must strive to be competent. The Assemblist artists aim to perform the physical and mental skills consistently and to the standard, with little conscious effort. They can deal with problems, pressure and challenges and the resourcefulness to work out answers to complex problems. They display the ability to recognise mistakes and the ability to correct those mistakes. They maintain consistently high standards and professionalism. They possess the skills necessary to convey the correct Assemblist message. Also an ability to adopt and use new techniques and materials as ways of expression.

COLLABORATION.

Assemblist artists aim to collaborate with architects, designers and others, sharing and cooperating in developing and refining ideas to promote the Assemblist Manifesto and it's principles.

CONSTRUCTION.

n Assemblist artist starts with a reason for producing a piece of artwork and this will relate to an Assemblist Manifesto. Then, like an architect or craftsman or woman, produces a plan. Each element or part related to the plan is ‘constructed' specifically by or for the artist and these individual elements (brush strokes of paint or carved solid pieces for example) can then form 'clusters' which are themselves assembled to create the final unified artwork. In the final work each individual element and cluster has a relevance and importance to the whole. The construction of the work has similarities to the way in which some works of poetry are ‘constructed'.

CONTENT The content of Assemblist art is of immense importance and must set out to educate and enlighten the viewer or recipient. Following a decade of consumer materialism, certain media manipulation and obsession, a new social awareness beckons, which responds to the damage both environmentally and socially from past excesses of some societies. The old adage ‘less is more' has more relevance and poignancy than ever, and Assemblism aim is to reflect the ideas and thoughts set out in the Assemblist Manifesto.

CREATIVITY Assemblism aims to be creative in form, content and in it's use of materials.

COMMUNICATION The Assemblist artist displays a clear understanding of what is required in order to communicate with the viewer or recipient. They have clear objectives, and know what their intentions are, and who they are aimed at. There is a clear understanding of the principles of communication by which the objectives are carried out. Assemblist artists aim to: Use the simplest, most exact language their subject allows. Put together what belongs together. Keep the viewer or recipient in mind. Prepare and understand their aims. Use composition, colour, form, space, time, materials and construction as the language of communication.

CONFIDENCE.

Assemblist art aims to be confidently executed and exudes a sense that the work has been done by someone who has a general sense of control over their work. That it has not only been planned carefully by someone with skill, but some of the character and personality of the artist and their intended message is confidently and carefully presented.

CREDIBILITY.

Assemblist art must be credible and meaningful.

THE ASSEMBLIST DRAFT MANIFESTO.

The aims of the Assemblist Manifesto are:
to educate and enlighten via Assemblist art, architecture and design
to understand and learn by collaboration
to use the ten principles of Assemblist art in it's production
to observe
to share
to challenge and inspire
to be minimal in intent but not austere in form and to promote the aesthetics of simplicity
to raise consciousness about the environment and our responsibilities towards nature
to produce art, architecture and design that appeals to the senses, bringing together colour, shapes, forms and textures through different aesthetic styles
to encourage dialogue between artists, architects, designers and other practitioners of the arts.
to be politically active and socially aware, and to promote the language of Assemblist art and architecture as a mechanism for political and social reform
to encourage Assemblist artists to formulate a Sub-Assemblist Manifesto to the Main Assemblist Manifesto (MAMA) to reflect their own individual aims and goals.
to reflect a new vision of human behaviour and lifestyle.