Remember that episode of The Simpsons where Homer became an overnight artistic success because he failed to build a BBQ?
That was Art Brut.
In 1922, a psychiatrist called Hanz Prinzhorn published a book called ‘Artistry of the Mentally Ill’. Whilst working at different facilities in the German town of Heidelberg, he amassed a collection of nearly 5,000 pieces of art created by the inmates. These took the form of drawings, carvings and sculptures – produced mostly by people suffering from schizophrenia.
Jean Dubuffet loved what Prinzhorn had uncovered. He was a late bloomer to the art world, he began at the age of 41 –remember, it’s never too late– and was highly experimental with moods and mediums.
He incorporated mud, sand, gravel, glass and oil paint, creating a new hierarchy of materials in period of intense experimentation.
It was all about rejecting the cycle of artistic fashion. He described himself as “anti-cultural”.
He advocated for “instinct, passion, mood, violence, madness” rather than analysis and reason, the incorporation of the natural world, championing expiration and wonderment.
Here’s Jean’s brief for you want to create Art Brut.
“Look at what lies at your feet! A crack in the ground, sparkling gravel, a tuft of grass, some crushed debris offer equally worthy subjects for your applause and admiration.”
He wanted to create art that was free from intellectual concerns, more relatable and down-to-earth.
He developed his own style to meet these parameters but inspired by Prinzhorn’s work he sought to raise up those who were discovering and creating art in this natural, unpretentious way.
This led him to coin the phrase Art Brut – art that was raw and free from biased intent.
Here’s a great quote about the movement:
Here we are witnessing an artistic operation that is completely pure, raw, reinvented in all its phases by its author, based solely on his own impulses. Art therefore, in which is manifested the sole function of invention, and not those, constantly seen in cultural art, of the chameleon and the monkey.
Ooooo, the absolute shade! 💅
Art by Outsiders
A quick scan of the comments section on Campaign Brief will prove just how many mentally ill people are working in advertising.
But let’s not dwell on that!
How about some ads that are straight up down-to-earth, free from intellectual thought, that are simply inspired by the beauty of the world or the beauty in the vibes?
Ad Brut.
How about that?
🔫 An ad for military gear with absolutely zero shock and awe:
🦃 Some insider outsider advertising featuring a script from a humble Johnsonville employee:
🍷 In a similar vein, Mr. Bartles & Mr. Jaymes play it straight regarding their foray into the wine cooler business:
🛹 The boy racer car for the boy who still wants to go fast:
🍔 Just Andy Warhol eating a burger. That’s it.
🍅 Speaking of. Pass the Heinz, Andy!
🕳️ There’s a time and a place for an incredibly stupid, yet utterly joyous pun – that time is now:
🎨 Hiring for roles is my passion:
😬 Like watching paint dry…This took up a whole ad break:
🥥 Doesn’t get much more straight up than this:
Inspired? Go make some art then! Just be an artist – vibe it.
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Thanks for reading,
Jonathan ✌️
🏝️ Busy Persons Correspondence Cards
🧙♂️ Neighbour of Arazorn…
🇨🇭 A concrete stamp
📺 The 100 Greatest TV Ads (Televised in 2004)
Insanely talented
Want to hear more about Jean Dubuffet’s work? Listen to his episode of Kunst Please: