Formalism is a critical approach to art, literature, and other cultural products that emphasizes their formal qualities, such as structure, style, and technique, rather than their content or context. Formalists believe that the value of a work of art lies in its form, rather than its meaning or historical significance.
The formalist approach to art and literature originated in the early 20th century in Russia, with the work of literary critics such as Viktor Shklovsky and Roman Jakobson. They argued that art was distinct from everyday language and should be studied as a self-contained system of signs and symbols. Formalism soon spread to other disciplines, including art history and film studies.
Formalist critics focus on the way that a work of art is constructed, examining the relationships between the elements that make up the work. They pay close attention to formal elements such as the use of color, line, and composition in visual art, or rhythm, meter, and syntax in literature. Formalists believe that by analyzing these formal elements, they can uncover the underlying structure of a work and understand its aesthetic qualities.
One of the key ideas of formalism is that a work of art should be studied in isolation from its context. Formalists argue that the meaning of a work should be derived from its formal qualities, rather than from the historical or social context in which it was created. This approach has been criticized for ignoring the social and political dimensions of art and literature, and for failing to acknowledge the influence of historical and cultural factors on the creation of cultural products.
Another important concept in formalism is that of defamiliarization. Formalists believe that art should challenge the reader or viewer’s assumptions and force them to see the world in a new way. By using unfamiliar or unexpected formal techniques, artists can create a sense of estrangement that forces the viewer to engage with the work on a deeper level.
Formalism has been influential in a wide range of disciplines, from literary criticism to art history to film studies. Its emphasis on the formal qualities of a work has led to new insights into the nature of art and the way that it communicates meaning. However, formalism has also been criticized for its narrow focus on form, which can sometimes lead to a neglect of content and context.
In literature, formalist critics focus on the technical aspects of a text, such as the use of metaphor, symbolism, and imagery. They examine the way that these elements work together to create meaning, and they often compare the work to others in the same genre or period to highlight its unique qualities.
In visual art, formalist critics analyze the use of color, line, shape, and other formal elements to understand how the work communicates meaning. They also consider the ways in which the artist uses these elements to create a sense of unity or disunity in the work.
In film studies, formalist critics pay close attention to the use of camera angles, lighting, and editing to create meaning. They examine the way that these elements work together to create a particular mood or atmosphere, and they often compare the film to others in the same genre or period to highlight its unique qualities.
In conclusion, formalism is a critical approach to art, literature, and other cultural products that emphasizes their formal qualities, such as structure, style, and technique, rather than their content or context. Formalists believe that by analyzing the formal elements of a work, they can uncover its underlying structure and understand its aesthetic qualities. While formalism has been criticized for its narrow focus on form, it has also led to new insights into the nature of art and the way that it communicates meaning. Formalism remains a significant approach to the study of art and culture today.