identify this art style

September 18, 2008 7:25 AM

What is this style of art called?

a freind and i are trying to identify this style of painting: JC KUGLER

i would also appriciate some other examples from similar artists

posted by swbarrett to media & arts (19 comments total)

I think you can perhaps make up your own name for that. Something like "Cosmic Realism" maybe.
posted by londongeezer at 7:30 AM on September 18, 2008

Most likely some subgenre of kitsch
posted by b1tr0t at 7:51 AM on September 18, 2008

I saw very similar work recently in a poster catalog and it was merely labeled "abstract." I suppose that doesn't mean THAT much since it was a poster catalog, but...it really does seem like a generalized, soft hotel-lobby/waiting-room abstract mishmash. I myself see some abstract expressionism, some surrealism, and some sci-fi space art ("space illustrationism?") ta boot. Don't know if you could put all that together under one label though. Some of the pieces in that link seem more representational than others, too.

Desperately trying to withhold non-informational snarky criticism...I suppose I've failed already...
posted by dubitable at 7:55 AM on September 18, 2008

...but seriously, there's no name for it; it's basically a descendent of Dali's and Tanguy's brand of Surrealism mixed with 1960s-style hippie art. londongeezer is right--"Cosmic Realism" is a good a name for it as any.
posted by interrobang at 7:56 AM on September 18, 2008

It's called "Trapper Keeperism".

This is actually perfect. Almost too perfect.
posted by odinsdream at 8:02 AM on September 18, 2008

Ecole de Burger King Toilets circa 1987.
posted by fire&wings at 8:19 AM on September 18, 2008 [2 favorites has favorites]

Kugler's fans call it "abstract," so let's leave it at that. Do a Google and you'll find out all you need to know.
posted by turducken at 8:32 AM on September 18, 2008

Fantasy street-artist kitch. But Trapper Keeperism is just too good.
posted by zpousman at 8:36 AM on September 18, 2008

Der Thriftstore.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:04 AM on September 18, 2008

Erm. "Your favorite art style sucks" wisecracks suck.

So....like turducken said, if you Google his name, you'll find many references to his style as modern or modern abstract.
posted by iconomy at 9:13 AM on September 18, 2008

That looks like the "performance art" that guys make using spray paint and various cutouts and cardboard wipers in Times Square. I do think that might be what those are, but you might also call it airbrush.
posted by StickyCarpet at 9:40 AM on September 18, 2008

Seconding StickyCarpet. I'd call it "Spray Paint Tourist Street Art".
posted by 23skidoo at 10:16 AM on September 18, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

What StickyCarpet said. I've seen the planets made from paper plates and spray paint. There is no name to this style.
posted by xammerboy at 10:36 AM on September 18, 2008

Yep, my sister gor one of this style of painting on holiday somewhere. Cosmic definitely fits!
posted by twistedonion at 11:37 AM on September 18, 2008

It's Spray Paint Space Art more or less. As others have said, it's something buskers do. Seems to be easy enough techniques to learn the basics of:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=spray+paint+space&search_type=&aq=f
posted by Iteki at 2:27 PM on September 18, 2008

Seems it's also called spacepainting.
posted by Iteki at 2:32 PM on September 18, 2008

So....like turducken said, if you Google his name, you'll find many references to his style as modern or modern abstract.

This is not abstract art. People who don't understand the meaning of the word abstract in relation to painting probably shouldn't be handing out advice about modern art.
posted by fire&wings at 6:59 PM on September 18, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]

It's not art, it isn't even graphic design!
posted by b1tr0t at 7:55 AM on September 19, 2008

I see someone didn't like my wisecrack comment.
posted by iconomy at 8:22 AM on September 19, 2008