8.1 Outsider Art in France and Switzerland

Outsider Art in France and Switzerland emerged from unexpected places. Artists like Adolf Wölfli and Aloïse Corbaz created intricate works while institutionalized, while Augustin Lesage claimed spiritual guidance for his paintings.

Jean Dubuffet coined "Art Brut" in 1945, championing art outside official culture. Swiss institutions like the Waldau Clinic and Collection de l'Art Brut in Lausanne played crucial roles in preserving and promoting Outsider Art, influencing contemporary artists.

Outsider Art in France

Influence of families and peer groups

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• Adolf Wölfli
  • Swiss artist associated with French Art Brut movement created intricate, large-scale drawings and collages depicting personal mythology and narratives (St. Adolf-Giant-Creation)
  • Spent most of adult life in Waldau Clinic produced over 25,000 pages of drawings and writings
• Augustin Lesage
  • French miner turned artist after spiritual experiences produced symmetrical, intricate paintings guided by spirits (The Spirit of the Pyramids)
  • Self-taught painter worked in coal mines until age 35 when he claimed to hear voices urging him to paint
• Aloïse Corbaz
  • Swiss artist worked primarily in France created colorful, romantic drawings and writings focusing on themes of love, sexuality, and historical figures (Napoléon III et Eugénie)
  • Institutionalized for schizophrenia developed unique artistic style using crayons and found materials

Socialization from institutions

• Jean Dubuffet coined term "Art Brut" (Raw Art) in 1945 referring to art created outside official culture
• Established Compagnie de l'Art Brut in 1948 dedicated to collecting and studying Outsider Art
• Organized exhibitions of Art Brut introduced public to works by untrained artists (Foyer de l'Art Brut, 1947)
• Wrote extensively on Art Brut developed theoretical framework for understanding Outsider Art
• Created own art inspired by Art Brut aesthetics influenced mainstream art world with primitive style (Corps de dame series)

Outsider Art in Switzerland

Political and economic innovations in Song China

• Waldau Clinic in Bern
  • Home to Adolf Wölfli during artistic career preserved and studied patients' artworks
  • Dr. Walter Morgenthaler recognized artistic value of Wölfli's work published book "A Mental Patient as Artist" (1921)
• Hans Prinzhorn's influence
  • German psychiatrist collected patient artworks inspired Swiss psychiatric institutions
  • Published "Artistry of the Mentally Ill" (1922) influential book on psychiatric art
• Art therapy programs in Swiss hospitals
  • Encouraged patients to express themselves through art led to discovery of talented Outsider artists
  • Dr. Jacqueline Porret-Forel worked with Aloïse Corbaz at Gimel asylum documented her artistic development

Social comparisons of Song China vs Nomadic Steppe Peoples

• Exhibitions of Swiss Outsider Art abroad
  • Increased global recognition of Swiss artists contributed to broader acceptance of Outsider Art
  • Venice Biennale featured Swiss Outsider artists (Adolf Wölfli, 2013)
• Collection de l'Art Brut in Lausanne
  • Established by Jean Dubuffet in 1976 houses significant works by Swiss and international Outsider artists
  • Permanent collection includes over 70,000 works by 1,000 creators
• Influence on contemporary Swiss artists
  • Inspired new generation of artists to explore unconventional techniques (Ueli Berger, Thomas Hirschhorn)
  • Blurred lines between Outsider and mainstream art in Switzerland led to inclusion in major museums (Kunsthaus Zürich)