The dialogue between art and design finds a unique resonance in the work of Åsa Johansson, a contemporary artist whose creations embody a delicate balance between aesthetics and functionality. Inspired by the ideals of the Bauhaus movement, she explores the intricate relationships between form, color, and material, reaffirming the enduring relevance of this artistic current in today’s world.
A BAUHAUS VISION
The Bauhaus, an iconic movement of the early 20th century, championed a harmonious integration of art and craftsmanship, redefining the boundaries between these disciplines. Åsa Johansson follows this tradition by delving into compositional principles such as balance, contrast, and visual rhythm. Her geometric creations oscillate between strict precision and deliberate distortion, embodying a dynamic tension. Each work becomes a space of interaction between the purity of form and a vibrant color palette, offering an aesthetic that is both functional and emotional.
In her work, design transcends its utilitarian role to merge seamlessly with artistic expression. This approach invites us to rethink our relationship with objects, balancing contemplation and utility.
Blue Blue Cubes - Ceramics, stoneware - 105 x 78 x 15 cm - 2022/24
MINIMALISM : THE ESSENCE OF FORM
Åsa Johansson adopts a powerful minimalism in her creations, where a singular form becomes the heart of visual storytelling. Her quest for perfection imbues each sculpture with an almost meditative authority. This apparent simplicity, however, conceals profound complexity, as every line, angle, or curve is meticulously calculated to convey a clear and timeless idea.
BALANCE AT THE HEART OF THE WORK
In sculpture, balance is not just a symbolic notion but a tangible, physical requirement for a piece to simply stand. In Åsa’s works, balance is an integral part of the structure itself. Geometric shapes are composed of moving elements arranged around a supporting framework, designed to float and react to the slightest movement of air. She experiments with varying material densities, colors, and scales to explore every possible variation within a single piece.
This exploration of balance goes beyond aesthetics, reflecting on contrasts between stability and fragility, permanence and impermanence.
Installation of "Blue Iris", "Electric Fire", and "Blue Fire"
ASSEMBLY AND GEOMETRIC ABSTRACTION
A hallmark of modern design is the use of simple geometric forms, often assembled into complex yet readable compositions. This approach stems from movements like Constructivism and the International Style, which celebrated simplicity and clarity.
The assembly of geometric forms allows for striking visual contrasts. For instance, the juxtaposition of a sphere with the sharp angles of a triangle creates a subtle equilibrium between softness and tension.
Åsa Johansson explores geometric abstraction through classic yet monumental forms. Her sculptures, composed of cones, spheres, squares, or rectangles in vibrant colors, stand out for their harmonious assemblies. She develops an abstract and geometric language based on simplification and a refined, minimalist aesthetic.
The artist also experiments with non-compositional processes, creating minimalist abstractions built on repetition or dispersion of forms in space.
Colorum Black - Ceramics, stoneware - 167x 37 x 37 cm - 2023/24
CERAMICS : A SCULPTURAL ALCHEMY
Ceramics hold a special place in Åsa Johansson’s work, embodying a duality between fragility and durability. This medium, traditionally associated with craftsmanship, becomes in her hands a sculptural and conceptual form. Johansson uses its plastic qualities to explore themes like architecture and balance. By shaping clay, she engages with notions of the ephemeral and the timeless, sometimes challenging the material’s inherent fragility.
The firing process at 1260 degrees introduces an alchemical dimension to her work. This transformation, where raw clay’s fragility turns into solid permanence, mirrors a universal quest: to transcend materiality and achieve lasting, timeless form.
Ceramics also stand out for their interplay with color and surfaces. Glazes allow for experimentation with textures and reflections, creating effects of depth or luminosity. These layers of color go beyond mere ornamentation; they are integral to the work’s expression, conveying emotions or concepts.
Åsa Johansson’s work exemplifies the symbiosis of art and design. By blending pure geometric forms with profound aesthetic reflection, she redefines the boundaries between functionality and artistic expression. Through her exploration of materials, principles of balance and composition, and the alchemical transformation of ceramics, she invites us to rethink our relationship with objects and space.
Her creations represent a timeless pursuit: transforming the ordinary into the sublime.
