The World of Abstract Art
Abstract Art is an intriguing movement. It doesn’t attempt to represent traditional reality, it’s subject focuses on evoking emotions by exploring colours, textures, shapes, and lines without directly representing objects or scenes. It requires viewers to approach without preconceived ideas of form and structure, which can often make it misunderstood. Let’s explore its origins and a little bit of why it holds such an essential place in modern and contemporary art.
What Is Abstract Art?In a nut shell, it is a genre that prioritizes visual language over representational accuracy. The term ‘abstract’ refers to leaving reality. A story is told through expressing ideas or emotions instead of portraying realistic images of people, landscapes and objects. How this form of art is visualised can vary widely, from slightly distorted real objects to fully non-representational works that appear as arrangements of colour and form, the subject matter has been altered in ways that are no longer recognisable.
Abstract art emerged in the early 20th Century as a response to the traditional roles of art and its purpose. This point in history saw a massive change socially and politically as well as advances in science and psychology. These new ways of observing and understanding our world and human perception led artists to explore uncharted artistic territories.
Movements such as Impressionism, with its emphasis on light and movement, was an early influence. Artists like Claude Monet broke from traditional perspectives, focusing more on capturing a mood or atmosphere in his work. Soon after, Post-Impressionism and Symbolism continued this trend by using colours and forms to convey feelings rather than depict reality. Cubism also played a significant role by de-constructing objects into shapes and allowing multiple perspectives to coexist within the same painting. These innovations paved the way for Abstract Art to become a major genre in the modern art world.
Over time, Abstract Art diversified into numerous styles such as Abstract Expressionism, Geometric Abstraction and Colour Field Painting. Each with its own way to explore a visual approach to form, colour, and concept.
Pioneers of this movement include Wassily Kandinsky. Both a painter and an art theorist, Kandinsky is known for his colourful and energetic compositions. His work reflects a spiritual and emotional harmony through expressive forms.
Another famous Abstract artist who heavily used colour to communicate is Mark Rothko. People often misinterpret his work due to is simplified style. Rothko believed that colour has the ability to evoke profound emotional responses – each one unique to the viewer.
Abstract Art challenges the boundaries of what art could be. It liberates the need to express realism or representational accuracy which gave artists the freedom to explore their inner worlds and to communicate directly with viewers on an emotional level rather than a literal one. It opened the door to allowing art to be ‘experienced’ encouraging viewers to interpret meaning based on their personal feelings and perspective.
Techniques used in this movement had a significant effect on the development of artistic skills. With no literal accuracy to focus on, the physical elements of paint, texture and surface were widely experimented with.
Kandinsky | Jaune Rouge Bleu
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