As dicotomias peso/leveza e forma/ideia na escultura : a desmaterialização progressiva do objecto artístico

The dichotomies Weight/Lightness and Form/Idea formed the theory and the practice of Art, existing a correspondence between them. The weight exists thanks to the existence of a form that is made of matter; in the other hand, the lightness comes from the idea that is always present when the creation exists. This dichotomies were always interconnected during the centuries, and there are variations in relevancy of form and/or idea. In sculpture´s tradition, the physical weight was a essential reality, and the idea of sculpture, without the immaterial side was underlined to the form. During the centuries, new artistic approaches were born and re-born focused on the frailty, lightness and idea of the artistic object, fact that came to cancel the classic notion of work of art. The concept of image became the focus of the esthetical experience of the subject, which alone, tended to substantiate the artistic object itself. In the same way that lightness, when taken to the extreme, and despite the tridimensionality materiality of the object, begun to relate the art with the own action of the body, the gesture of the artist, rising both to the status of art

Espaço enquanto matéria da arte, espaço enquanto matéria do museu : (re)configurações da experiência site-specific

The central theme of this dissertation encompasses the importance of space, particularly the exhibition space, and how it has become part of the subject matter, as well as a medium in art. Some artistic practices of the 20th century, mainly in the 20s and 60s, both in Europe and the United States of America have provided the contextual foundation. The close relation between the architectural and exhibition spaces has become an intrinsic link to establish the existence of the three-dimensional work of art. The overarching importance of space in the contemporary artistic practice is visible through the creative and exhibition installation process, most notably in the artistic movements of Installation art and Site-specific. By carrying over the transformative contemporary art scene concepts to an institutional and museological context, paired with the inherent evolution of its practices, these have allowed for a convergence of the museological fields. With the intention of providing audiences a unique experience, curators and museologists have relied on site-specific practices. By inviting artists (typically featured in the current artistic scene) to develop projects specially thought for a specific museum space, this simultaneously allows for a dialogue between the work of art and the space. These temporary exhibitions have garnered the attention a more diverse audience. As a result sustainability and independence of the museums are a constant source of debate. The result of which has allowed for the broadening of the notions of how museums function and have integrated the audience as a main element of the strategies of the museum programming. The principles of the cultural marketing provide museums a clearer vision of the understanding of the different audience and their needs. Thus, the main goal of this study is to perceive the importance of the museum space in the relation to the artistic practice. While existing as a strategic resource of the museological program, insofar as having the ability to lure new audiences. It also matters to notice, if the fact of the artist working directly inside the museum, contribute to a narrowing of the artist/audience relationship, being the museum the mediation element