A freelance writer since 1971, Joan Reinbold has also been a nationally certified dental assistant (a position that included nutritional counseling), elementary and college tutor, and library assistant. Her media skills include book, blog, magazine, academic publication and video formats. Reinbold received her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Illinois University.
Overview
The concept of mixed media has been utilized for hundreds of years. There are two aspects to mixed media. One has to do with advertising and the multiple ways of presenting information. This can be using methods such as radio, television or billboards together.
The other has to do with art. This second mixed media, or assemblage, concerns works of art that are put together using different media for a composition such as collage, photography or painting made from whatever the artist chooses to use.
History
Mixed media has been in use for centuries but on a more limited basis. Artist Edgar Degas used ink with charcoal and pastels and Leonardo da Vinci would also combine media.
Modern day mixed media is associated with the Cubist development of collages early in the 20th century by artists Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso. By assembling diverse elements the Cubists made three dimensional pieces starting in 1912.
Using paint, glue, wood and table cloth fringe Picasso created his work the "Still Life" in 1914. The mixed media practice continued with the Surrealist movement. Surrealism was the movement that represented the subconscious mind through creating fantastic images. This was done by placing ideas together that appear to contradict each other. The use of mixed media became more prevalent during the 1950's, 1960's and is still in use.
Misconceptions
Even though the term multimedia art is applied to mixed media it is not the same. Multimedia art incorporates the use of differing areas like music, dance or interactions with the person viewing the display.
Display
A mixed media display can occupy a room of a gallery or museum or be a stand alone piece viewable by walking around. This is referred to as an installation which developed from Environments. Environment and installation incorporate many types of materials as well as light.
Types
Mixed media artists use mixed media in multiple styles such as pointillism, abstraction or realism. These can be demonstrated through prints, dye, paint or collages and others.
Benefits
Mixed media provides the artist with diversity both with the use of material and with what is represented by the work. The visitor to the gallery or museum can interact with an installation or simply view.
Significance
The United Nations has declared 2009 the year of natural fiber, encouraging the use of fiber. Mixed media art using fiber combines fiber along with paint, dye, thread and ink among the media.
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