pure village

This adjective describes the nonsymmetrical or unequally balanced elements in a composition. This manifests itself in an optical or even a structural imbalance in constructed objects or products. Some artists intentionally choose an asymmetric composition to create tension. In deconstructionism, asymmetrical constructions are aimed at confusing the beholders’ sense of balance and their perception of harmony by using technical illusions.

Authenticity (from the Greek/Latin = genuineness, reliability, credibility) means originality. An authentic object is always an original or a product identical to the original (as in serial production). In the figurative sense, a form or an attitude can be described as authentic (as opposed to cursory, superficial, ostensible) even though it might not characterise the original, but carries its original quality and its true identity. A corporate identity can therefore be authentic if it is presented in a credible manner, and a design quotation or redesign is authentic if it is used or presented with the original in mind. In an era of unlimited reproducibility, authenticity may convey greater credibility than the original which can be copied without capturing its “soul”.

With respect to art history, the term avantgarde describes artists whose ideas and works are ahead of their time. Photo: Serralunga, Missed trees, Jean-Marie Massaud Avantgarde (French: “l’avantgarde” = front guard) stands for a new art movement of the early 20th century. This term is closely connected to modernity. The original aim of all avantgardist movements (mostly elitist, perceiving themselves as forerunners) was always a change in society. Most avantgardist movements in art emerged at the beginning of the 20th century from artists’ communities sharing an idealistic belief in progress – such as Italian futurism, Russian constructivism, De Stijl (Holland) or German Bauhaus. All such movements reject the prevailing aesthetic norms of their time. The term “avantgardist” therefore doesn’t describe one particular style, but rather an artistic or intellectual attitude. Today, “avantgardist” generally means a demonstratively modern artistic expression aimed to provoke and consequently promote a new aesthetic or social ideal. Even if this ideal can’t be realised, avantgardist movements often have a significant influence on prevailing trends in fashion, art and design.