Lecture Notes on Odilon Redon's Noirs

Introduction

• Odilon Redon's "Noirs" are challenging to fully comprehend or interpret.
• These artworks originate from a fertile imagination and are deeply rooted in the indeterminate.
• Redon himself states that his drawings inspire but cannot be defined, akin to music's ambiguity.

Characteristics of Redon's Noirs

• "Noirs" translates to "Blacks"; characterized by the absence of color.
• Created using charcoal, contributing to their ephemeral and indeterminate nature.
• The darkness and fogginess create an atmosphere of uncertainty and alertness.
• This ambiance is similar to dreams: indeterminate, blurry, and ephemeral.

Themes and Subjects

• Subjects include fantastical creatures such as smiling spiders, egg and plant people.
• These elements are combinations from Redon's imagination, making them appealing and original.
• Critique of realism: Redon believed art should go beyond the material world to explore thought, inspiration, and genius.
• Redon aimed to bring improbable beings to life, giving visibility to the invisible, such as ideas and fantasies.

Influence and Legacy

• Redon's work paved the way for Surrealists who explored the unconscious further.
• His art transitions between the spooky and familiar, drawing from subconscious fears of the unknown.

Interpretation

• Gauguin's perspective: Redon's creatures are not monsters but imaginary beings, reflecting his imaginative spirit.
• These entities are not necessarily malevolent; they represent the unfamiliar, the dreams instead of nightmares.
• Redon’s work attempts to reconcile us with imagination, addressing fears of the unknown and indeterminate.

Conclusion

• Redon's art challenges our perception of dreams vs. nightmares.
• He explores imagination, making us ponder what we fear and why, specifically the unpredictable nature of dreams.