Not As Expected – 2024 Grad Show Exhibition National Art School
NAS Grad Show 2024 Studio Exhibition by Gitte Backhausen
My new body of work Not As Expected explores the dynamic interplay between text and handwriting, emphasising the dichotomy between standardised communication and individual expression. The investigation focuses on the tension between computer-generated fonts and asemic handwriting, reflecting broader societal themes of conformity and individuality.
All works are created on found, recycled or repurposed materials – a choice which is both related the theme of conformity and non-conformity, challenging the norms of painting (on a neatly stretched canvas), as well as a genuine concern for my art practice’s impact on our planet.
The text in the artworks are set in the computer-generated font called IMPACT. This typeface was designed by Geoffrey Lee in 1965 and became popular for the web in the Microsoft operating system software Windows 98. It initially gained tractions as a favoured font style for headlines and titles for online publishers due to its thick strokes, compressed letter spacing and high legibility. In today’s world it is one of the most used fonts in online memes, even referred to as ‘The Meme Font’ by researchers Kate Brideau and Charles Berret in their 2014 article in The Journal of Visual Culture.
Studio shot with Gitte Backhausen
As for the text itself, all the font-written words are appropriated from a statement about norms by researcher and Professor of Philosophy and Psychology Christina Bicchieri:
Norms are implicit (unwritten) social rules which define what is expected of individuals in certain situations. They are measures of what is seen as normal in society, and govern the acceptable behaviour in society (societal standards). Norms operate at several levels, from regulations concerning etiquette at the table to moral norms relating to the prior discharging of duties (see values). Social norms vary from culture to culture, and can be specific to a particular group or situation. Some social norms are explicit, such as laws or religious teachings, while others are more implicit, such as etiquette. Violating social norms can result in negative consequences, such as being ostracised from a community or, though only in exceptional circumstances, punished by law (Bicchieri, 2011).
The asemic handwriting and mark-making is a reference to unique individual expression free from structure, predictability and norms. It is connected to the visual language of abstract expressionism and the philosophical underpinnings of the surrealists automatic writing and interest in the subconscious mind.
In contemporary society we are navigating a world of structures, systems and norms to which we all must conform to some extend in order to be part of society. We operate from a fundamental structure which aims to ensure a smoothly operating world. However, the structures and norms of society is in constant change, technology in constant and rapid development and overall, no system can serve the entirety of a population as we are not all the same. As part of contemporary society we must constantly navigate these norms and structures, which continuously change and may not suit our unique individual needs, abilities and values.
It’s Just The Way It Is, 102 x 102cm, acrylic on repurposed stretched canvas by Gitte Backhausen
Through the visual language of text, in the form of fonts and handwriting, I am exploring this intersection between societal norms and structures and individuality. I am not apposed to societal systems and norms, neither am I a believer in the notion of the individual as the determining factor guiding all decisions. We must function together as a community, in the interplay between conformity and nonconformity, as unique individuals as part of a human cohort. We are connected through a shared life on a shared planet. For this to work, I believe we must be open to connect, understand and be curious about each other in order navigate the best we can through this life, together.
Ultimately, I see my work as an invitation for viewers to question how we navigate the shifting landscapes of contemporary society, both individually and collectively. The ongoing commitment to my practice is driven by a desire to contribute to contemporary discourse, foster a deeper understanding of our shared human experience, and raise questions to which each of us must find our own answers, ultimately by connecting with each other with an open mind.
See the entire body of work “Not As Expected” here.
Gitte Backhasen in her studio, Sydney, 2024