As a reflection of current tendency of contemporary western calligraphy: A Montreal urban art collective “garbage beauty”

Abstract

Today, western calligraphy is performed as an art form with new dimensions, creating a rich diversity in the contemporary mindset technically and conceptually. Understanding the current tendencies is involved in interpreting the traditional aspect and how it is projected through today’s practices. The aim of this study is examined through the work of Montreal-based urban calligrapher Garbage Beauty, who employs discarded objects on the streets as platforms for calligraphy practices by blending them with creative applications. The paper proposes to frame the contemporary mindset by examining Garbage Beauty's works, which are inspired by the tradition fused with today’s attitude, and gain insight into the contemporary intentions of western calligraphy. The literature was reviewed in the context of the traditional western calligraphy with collected data. The works of Garbage Beauty are selected to provide a variety that enables a technical and practical examination and discussion that provides the traces from the past and the present to be located. It can be claimed that western calligraphy is no longer utilized just as a functional entity but also performed as a way to experiment and express emotions. It is seen that there is an established and preserved link with the appreciated convention of tradition fused with the contemporary mindset, which is observed by considering the literal meaning of the word calligraphy and the contemporary perception of its attributed features.