Relational provisionality : drawing as spatio-temporal critique

Abstract

This article consists of two parts: the first looks back and the second moves sideways. In the first part, the author considers the background for her current research focus on contemporary drawing. In the second part, she posits Henri Lefebvre “relational space” and Martin Heidegger’s notion of the “provisional” as key ideas with which to understand contemporary drawing in propadeutic and anticipatory mode. Four registers of contemporary drawing are discussed, each time with a backward glance at antecedents. The four registers are: 1) touch, closeness and remembrance; 2) travel, sequence and pause; 3) map, vector and syncope; and 4) pentimento, shadow and chorus. Key works by contemporary drawing artists are presented as examplars of these four registers through which the critical politics of “relational provisionality” are played out in space and time.

Hierdie artikel word aangebied in twee dele: die eerste kyk terug en die tweede beweeg lateraal. In die eerste deel oorweeg die outeur die agtergrond vir haar huidige navorsingsfokus op die kontemporêre tekenkuns. In die tweede deel bied sy Henri Lefebvre se “verhoudelike ruimte” en Martin Heidegger se interpretasie van “provisionaliteit” as sleutelbegrippe aan vir die ondersoek van die kontemporêre tekenkuns in propadeutiese en antisiperende hoedanigheid. Vier registers van die kontemporêre tekenkuns word bespreek, telkens met ’n terugblik na die verlede. Die vier registers is: 1) aanraking, nabyheid en herinnering; 2) reis, sekwensie en verposing; 3) kaart, vektor en sinkopee; en 4) pentimento, skaduwee en refrein. Sleutelwerke deur kontemporêre tekenkunstenaars word aangebied as synde eksemplaries van hierdie vier registers waardeur die kritiese magsewening van 'n “verhoudelike provisionaliteit” in ruimte en tyd uitspeel.