Hannah Höch, Cut with the Dada Kitchen Knife through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch in Germany, 1919, collage of pasted papers, 90x144 cm, Staatliche Museum, Berlin.ĭespite the pre-twentieth-century use of collage-like application techniques, some art authorities argue that collage, properly speaking, did not emerge until after 1900, in conjunction with the early stages of modernism.įor example, the Tate Gallery's online art glossary states that collage "was first used as an artists' technique in the twentieth century". The exhibition later traveled to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Art Gallery of Ontario. In 2009, curator Elizabeth Siegel organized the exhibition: Playing with Pictures at the Art Institute Chicago to acknowledge collage works by Alexandra of Denmark and Mary Georgina Filmer among others. Many institutions recognize these works as memorabilia for hobbyists, though they functioned as a facilitator of Victorian aristocratic collective portraiture, proof of female erudition, and presented a new mode of artistic representation that questioned the way in which photography is truthful. Many institutions have attributed the beginnings of the practice of collage to Picasso and Braque in 1912, however, early Victorian photocollage suggest collage techniques were practiced in the early 1860s. In the 19th century, collage methods also were used among hobbyists for memorabilia (e.g. An 18th-century example of collage art can be found in the work of Mary Delany. Gemstones and other precious metals were applied to religious images, icons, and also, to coats of arms. Gold leaf panels started to be applied in Gothic cathedrals around the 15th and 16th centuries. The technique of collage appeared in medieval Europe during the 13th century. Some surviving pieces from this style are found in the collection of Nishi Hongan-ji- many volumes of the Sanju Rokunin Kashu. The use of collage, however, wasn't used by many people until the 10th century in Japan, when calligraphers began to apply glued paper, using texts on surfaces, when writing their poems. Techniques of collage were first used at the time of the invention of paper in China, around 200 BC.
Use matte medium to “seal” the surface of paper or a canvas so that it can accept paint without wrinkling.History Early precedents It can be used to adhere paper onto other surfaces (like Modge Podge)-although it is nowhere near as sticky.
Paint (optional) - Depending on how you plan to form your collage, you may want to have some paint handy.Īcrylic Matte Medium (optional) - This acrylic medium has two uses helpful for collage. It is engineered so that your blade slips into the surface of the mat but doesn’t leave a slice mark. Self-Healing Cutting Mat - Since you’re likely using an X-Acto blade, you’ll need a cutting mat to slice on. These types of knives come in different forms, from the standard knife that you hold like a pencil to blades that are smaller and wrap around your finger. It’s smart to invest in an X-Acto knife and blades. It comes in a bottle with a pointed nozzle, but you can get into finer details by assigning a paintbrush as your “glue brush” and dipping it into the glue, then spreading it on your paper.Ĭraft Knife - Scissors are great, but oftentimes they can’t produce the finer detail that the blade of a craft knife can. It’s ideal for paper projects and is acid-free. This type of glue is easy to find, convenient, and adheres well. But many collage artists opt for the classic glue stick. Glue - There are, perhaps surprisingly, a lot of choices when it comes to using glue. Sometimes a discarded envelope or a stray sheet of yellow-lined paper will be just what you want to include in your work. You’ll likely want to experiment with the type of paper you’ll use on a regular basis. Newspaper, magazine, cardstock paper-it’s all at your disposal for collage. Keep your scissors intact by reserving them for a single purpose. If you’re planning on cutting paper, for instance, make sure those scissors only snip paper. Although they can feel like a splurge, investing in a sharp, sturdy pair will make cutting easier and the tool will last a lot longer. Scissors - A good pair of scissors is a must for collage.