What is Your Modus Operandi?
What is Your Modus Operandi?
In art a "Modus Operandi" represents an artist's characteristic way of working, encompassing a combination of our creative process, philosophy, and techniques that uniquely reflect us. This idea is crucial for understanding not just what artists create, but how and why they create. Everything we do is autobiographical.
Techniques and Medium: An artist's modus operandi includes the specific techniques and materials we use. For instance, a painter might favor oil paints for their texture and depth, or a sculptor might specialize in bronze casting. Some artists use a wide range of tools, materials and mediums. This aspect of our method also reflects our preferences and skillset, often built over years of practice. Once an artist develops a facility with certain ways of working, a routine often becomes established and the resulting works will share certain qualities. For example, Jackson Pollock's technique of drip painting and his dynamic physical engagement with the canvas laying on the floor is a clear reflection of his ultimate modus operandi.
Creative Process: An artist's modus operandi also refers to the steps we follow during creation. Some artists work in a highly structured way, starting with extensive sketches and planning, while others embrace spontaneity, allowing the work to evolve organically. For example, my process of creating collages out of fragmented text can be understood as a mix of careful selection and spontaneous composition, embodying a philosophy of balance between order and chance or serendipity - an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.
Conceptual Approach: The conceptual aspect of an artist's modus operandi is linked to our underlying philosophy or intent behind our work. It could be about exploring social issues, focusing on abstraction, or engaging with spiritual or existential themes. Artists often draw from personal experiences, beliefs, or historical contexts that shape our work. Banksy, for instance, uses street art as his modus operandi to comment on political and social issues, combining art with activism in a manner that’s unique to him.
Philosophy and Influences: The modus operandi is also influenced by an artist's philosophy and influences. For instance, minimalist artists like Agnes Martin work within a framework that values simplicity, repetition, and subtlety. Their way of working often reflects a broader worldview, such as a search for tranquility or a connection with the spiritual, which then becomes evident in the aesthetics and methods they employ.
Routine and Discipline: An artist's daily routine or working discipline is also a key part of our modus operandi. Some artists are known for their rigorous schedules—like Picasso, who would work for many hours each day—while others may rely on inspiration, working irregularly when an idea strikes. This routine can deeply affect the volume, style, and mood of their output.
Experimentation and Innovation: Artists often have a modus operandi that incorporates an element of experimentation, a willingness to innovate with techniques and materials. For example, avant-garde artists frequently challenge traditional methods, incorporating new technologies or combining media in novel ways. Nam June Paik, considered the founder of video art, had a modus operandi that embraced technology and played with the boundaries of what could be considered art.
Understanding an artist's modus operandi provides deeper insights into their body of work, revealing not just what they create, but the essence of their creative journey—how their choices, both practical and philosophical, define their identity as an artist as expressed through their work.
Each of us needs to take a look at our working methods and think about our philosophy of working. We are each unique and approach the world from our own perspective. Every artist has their own way of working out their creative pursuits peculiar to themselves. There is no right or wrong way to do it - there is only our own way and what works for us and what gets us out of bed in the morning.
However, based on conditions and circumstances we can always adjust and adapt or conversely adjust conditions and circumstances to make things work for us. That is all part of our modus operandi - our creative lifestyle. Taken as a whole this is our creative voice.
Mine depends on the mood I'm in really and/or how I'm feeling physically......if I had another insomniac night, if I have fresh junk to work with for my assemblages; there are many variables that are taken into the process that affects how/when/even why I need to create. I can't predict when or if I'll get into that zone of immeasurable/linear time but when I do get there, it's ecstasy and all sorts of magical things can happen in the studio.