The artistic embodiment of the Bohemian phenomenon in contemporary sculpture and ceramic sculpture

Abstract

Since the formation of the first human societies, behavioral disorders and psychological pressures have arisen as a reaction to harsh life circumstances at various levels. These issues are reflected in daily human behavior, potentially leading to problems such as a lack of security and peace of mind. Amidst the circumstances and events that have swept the world, burdening societies with multiple crises, various forms of randomness have emerged, affecting individuals according to their spiritual capacities. They are affected by life's pressures, which deplete their energy and ability to adapt, exposing them to stress. This leads to alienation, isolation, and rebellion against social traditions, among other terms that can be generally found under the concept of the "bohemian" phenomenon. This phenomenon, considered one of the social phenomena that falls within the philosophy of human existence, emerged in the mid-18th century and became a characteristic of individuals who tend to adopt eccentric behavior or live an unconventional, free lifestyle, whether this behavior is conscious or spontaneous. The bohemian phenomenon, as a behavioral condition, is one of the topics that has received considerable attention. Recently, researchers in the fields of psychology and sociology have studied bohemianism, like any other phenomenon of human life. Therefore, philosophers and thinkers have been interested in addressing this phenomenon through research, analysis, and investigation. Thus, bohemianism has gained a prominent place in various academic studies. Perhaps the arts were not far removed from delving into such studies, as the contemporary art movement witnessed a great and wide shift through the developments that occurred after the First and Second World Wars. Therefore, the subject of this research, entitled (The Artistic Embodiment of the Bohemian Phenomenon in Contemporary Sculpture and Ceramic Sculpture), was concerned with revealing the psychological pressures that humans suffer from. Researchers addressed bohemianism as a behavior that affects the human self and its unconscious projections. Since art is a mirror reflecting societies and the behavioral phenomena that arise within those societies, the bohemian representation had a clear impact on a number of artworks in sculpture and ceramic sculpture, embodying a state of isolation and alienation, as well as individual freedom and rebellion, through diverse styles and different expressive formulations. As a step to shed light on the concept of bohemianism and its representations in contemporary sculpture and ceramic sculpture, the researchers adopted the analytical method through the description of those artistic sculptures that embody the bohemian features that were chosen as the title of this research due to their particularity as a perceived phenomenon. The research is divided into four chapters. The first chapter includes the methodological framework, encompassing the research problem, its significance, objectives, limitations, and terminology. The second chapter, the theoretical framework, is based on three sections:

- The first section: The concept of bohemianism, focusing on its most prominent characteristics: anxiety, isolation, alienation, individual freedom, and rebellion.

- The second section addresses the trends that have explored the theme of bohemianism in artistic composition.

- The theoretical framework concludes with a discussion of the most important indicators identified by the researchers, intended for use in analyzing the sample.

The third chapter details the research procedures: the research population, the research sample, the research methodology, the selection of the research instrument, and the analysis of the sample.

- The fourth chapter presents and discusses the results, conclusions, recommendations, and suggestions, followed by a list of references.