The materiality and art history of glitter
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Glitter is ubiquitous throughout our material world. Likewise, it has become prevalent in works of contemporary art. Despite the growing presence of glitter in recent art, scholars and critics have largely dismissed its significance as a complex material with a variety of significations. This thesis unravels the materiality of glitter from the perspectives of history and science to paint a more holistic portrait of the material. Through this interdisciplinary perspective, this thesis analyzes the work of three contemporary artists who work with glitter and have pushed the boundaries of the material to new heights. These case studies exemplify the range of possibilities that glitter advances in fine art. Above all, this thesis argues that glitter is a serious and complex material that merits critical interdisciplinary analysis. In taking a material culture perspective, this thesis also unpacks broad cultural meanings of glitter and how these meanings affect interpretations of its uses in art. Glitter is an integral material of contemporary art, it is already part of the contemporary canon, and as such, warrants the critical interdisciplinary perspective crafted in this thesis.
Description
Keywords
Contemporary, Glitter, Material, Materiality, New