Henri Matisse, "Watch Like A Child"

WAT C H

LIKE A CHILD

Copyright Š 2020 by J. Schneider All rights reserved. This zine or any portion thereof may not be copied or used without the express of the publisher.

First published online.

First Publication, May 2020 J. Schneider Amsterdam Fashion Institute

“To draw an image means to construct with color.�

Henri Matisse

INTRO

This edition presents: Henri Ma tisse.

His art and his way of living inspire me. Since my mum hung up his “Blue Nude” in my childhood’s home, I am interested in his extraordinary use of shape and color. Why is a simple and unreal construct, depicting a woman relevant?

I understood later how impactful his approach on color and shape implements a value - demands a new perspective on life.

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He transports values and attitudes in his works that motivate to watch more curious, unbiased and optimistic.

His works invite us to try simple observation of life, still capable to sense deep, strong emotions.

Innocent, curious and diverse perspectives generate a childish view, allowing more freedom and space.

In thin Zine, you can practise your observation, using your unlimited imagination.

Observe like a child!

& H E R E YO U G O 5

A child draws a house with a garden, a car and a tree.

Using the most obvious shapes and colors, it is able to depict reality, out of his simple skills and visions. It might not have the same resources as an educated adult has, and yet: It is courageous enough to just apply the resources it has.

Adults think they need to access all their knowledge about the world every time. But they should not.

We should start to rely on simplicity more often, should start to see the world like an empty sheet of paper. Having no assumptions and no expectations makes life easier. We can live open-minded, spontaneous and let go of our limits.

Matisse was creative, because he was curious enough to let go of structures and he was able to watch like a child: Innocent and pure.

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REATIV ITY

TA ES C UR 7

Henri Matisse

Henri Émile BenoÎt Matisse was born in 1869 and died in 1954 in France. He dicovered cultures and countries, job sectors and strokes of fate, having had several diseases. The man tried himself as lawyer, pharmacist and salesman, before he starts to experiment with shape, color and material. Today, he is accounted as one of the most influential and impactful artists of Europe.

After having tried to be impressionist creator, he quickly started to develop his own, unique style. The experimentation with color and its’ purity, with contures and shapes is evident in all of his artworks, especially in his famous paper cuttings.

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It was his cancer disease in 1941 that provoked a shift: The disability to draw in a standing position set the impulse to use shapes as fundament.

“Henri

Matisse drew with scissors.”

The works “Blue Nude”, “Snow Flowers” or “The Circus” are based on this method.

Translating reality into abstract but simple shapes and colors prove that Henri Matisse is master in arts and in the art of living: He is able to simplify, embrace and rediscover the appearance of reality.

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train your observation SI MP

Y F LI

IMAG

Describe a situation with just a few words.

Simplify problems or complications with your language and you gain a neutral and innocent view.

INE

Imagine: How would a stranger or a child behave in your situation, how would a child live your life?

Having a foreign perspective on your life will create a new awareness for your actions and habits.

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Translate your life in visuals: An evening outside, an accident or a location can be converted into shapes and colors. Practise with Matisse’s medium: Get your scissors and cut shapes.

ATE

TRANSLATE

U L A EVEvaluate two times:

Use various approaches to discover emotional and rational impressions differently. Analyse your approach of certain moments and how you cope with them. Try to use a different approach the next time.

Be aware!

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simplify your view

Henri Matisse, Paris, May 13th, 1913

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“One has to watch like a child, innocent & curious. “

The whole life, one should be man and child, gaining strenght from everything.

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watch closely Step out, get out.

Shout out lout about What and how you see, How seemingly everything is to be In a distanced world, Where we want to be heard, Thoughts and troubles, Matters and principals.

Strive for simplicity not complexity.

We need to Reset.

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Closed eyes open up, to see purely what we get.

How world sun are to kiss The shadow, a rainbow.

Our eyes start to glow.

We are more than a world, We are more than to be heard.

You only see what you see, But there is more than to be: We are able to see!

You just open your eyes, and see a child’s limitless skies.

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Sources: Matisse, H. and Essers, V., 1993. Meister Der Farbe. Kรถln: Taschen the Guardian. 2014. Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs At Tate Modern Henri Matisse in 60 seconds. 2017. [video] Royal Academy of Arts, UK: Royal Academy of Arts.

Moma.org. 2020. Henri Matisse. Blue Nude II. 1952 HA!. 2015. La Danza - Henri Matisse.

En.wikipedia.org. 2020. Henri Matisse.

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You read about Henri Matisse, master in arts {of living}.