The conversation about what a collage is should begin with the meaning of the word itself, which designates the form of contemporary art. In French, the word collage means pecking. It is from this translation that it is very easy to make a definition: collage is such a technique in the visual arts, when the entire work is done by gluing materials, different in color and texture, to the substrate.
The collage owes its appearance to artists who preferred special directions and techniques for performing work. In particular,
these are futuristic artists, cubists, Dadaists. It was in their works that the collage began to be used for the first time. Initially, the materials for creating the compositions were newspapers, paper, the remains of fabrics, photographs. The canvas was the basis of the work.
What is a collage in the modern concept, what materials will be needed to complete it
Creating a collage by today's artists involves the use of modern materials. For example, to create a work in this style, you may need several types of glue.
- Wallpaper. It is used in those areas where the bonded surfaces are in full contact with each other. High-quality wallpaper glue also allows you to securely dry leaves on paper or canvas. It is convenient in that it leaves no residue on the surface of the paper.
- Special glue used in floristry. It will be needed for collage areas where you need to attach transparent elements. For a strong connection, a spot application of glue will suffice. But you need to use it carefully - it may discolor the material.
- PVA glue. It is very popular due to its ability to reliably combine materials without subjecting them to deformation. With the help of PVA, it is possible to strengthen rather heavy elements of the work. The main disadvantage of the glue is its long drying period.
When creating a collage, it is also customary to use various tools and technical materials. In addition to glue, scissors will need to be sharp enough: they will need to cut out elements for the future composition. The creation of the background for the collage is done in gouache or watercolor - and naturally, for this work you will need a sprayer, brushes and sponges, a palette where paints are diluted.
It is impossible to talk about what a collage is without remembering the photo collage. A new unique image in this art form is obtained by “gluing” photographs and paintings. In this case, graphic editors are used as “glue” , and the whole process takes place on a computer.
The subjects of glued works are quite diverse: you can find a children's collage, a photo collage on canvas, and an option that uses paintings by great artists of the past.
Now, knowing what a collage is and having studied the technique of its implementation, you can try to create an unusual and interesting picture that would complement the interior. But there is one “but” - for all its apparent simplicity, creating a collage is not an easy task; it will require careful selection of the texture and color of the material, exceptional accuracy in the work, and, of course, imagination and taste.