Realism is the attempt to represent a subject matter truthfully, this is how as a designer you react with what true.
Social Realism
“The Social Realist political movement and artistic explorations flourished primarily during the 1920s and 1930s, a time of global economic depression, heightened racial conflict, the rise of fascist regimes internationally, and great optimism after both the Mexican and Russian revolutions. Social Realists created figurative and realistic images of the “masses,” a term that encompassed the lower and working classes, labor unionists, and the politically disenfranchised. American artists became dissatisfied with the French avant-garde and their own isolation from greater society, which led them to search for a new vocabulary and a new social importance; they found their purpose in the belief that art was a weapon that could fight the capitalist exploitation of workers and stem the advance of international fascism.” – theartstory.org
The Migration of the Negro (One of the Largest Race Riots occurred in East St. Louis), #52 (1940-41) Artist: Jacob Lawrence
More modern depiction of this idea of factual social realism can been in modern films such as ‘This Is England’ directed by Shane Meadows in 2007 and ‘Trainspotting’ directed by Danny Boyle in 1996 which show the modern struggles, environment, family changes and lifestyle changes of working class families/ individuals.
‘This Is England’
Social Realism that most depicts a real representation of peoples lives can often be confused and hid by the Socialism Realism which is comprised of the opposite of what Social Realism tries to show.
Social Realism is, “A form of modern realism imposed in Russia by Stalin following his rise to power after the death of Lenin in 1924, characterised in painting by rigorously optimistic pictures of Soviet life painted in a realist style.” – Tate.org.uk
Idealised painting of Stalin
Photo Realism
” The name Photorealism (also known as Hyperrealism or Superrealism) was coined in reference to those artists whose work depended heavily on photographs, which they often projected onto canvas allowing images to be replicated with precision and accuracy. The exactness was often aided further by the use of an airbrush, which was originally designed to retouch photographs. The movement came about within the same period and context as Conceptual art, Pop art, and Minimalism and expressed a strong interest in realism in art, over that of idealism and abstraction. Among several male practitioners of Photorealism there is an interest in themes of machinery and objects of industry such as trucks, motorcycles, cars, and even gumball machines, whereas Audrey Flack, the sole female practitioner, infuses her works with greater emotionality and the transience of life. Ultimately, the Photorealists were successful in attracting a wide audience, but they are often overlooked by art historians as an important avant garde style.” – theartstory.org
We believe photo realism and photography to be a real and truth representation on what we see in real life and believe photography to have a “true claim” meaning that it shows us the whole and real truth of what is happening at the time go the photography being taken. This isn’t always the case though has photography can be altered to changed the truth or only show an aspect of that the photographer or media outlet want you to see.
An example of this is seen in an advert created by The Guardian Newspaper in 1986.
Scientific Images
The blending of art and science has inspired incredible pieces that fuse a visceral, emotional experience with defined scientific concepts. These works are often stunningly beautiful, and encourage the viewer to engage with the rich history of research and experimentation that led to the piece’s conception. They can also be, well, do none of the above.
Natalie Rose 