3.3 Abstract and non-representational art

Abstract and non-representational art break free from traditional representation, focusing on shape, color, and form to create meaning. These styles emerged in the early 20th century, influenced by movements like Expressionism and Cubism, challenging conventional artistic norms.

Artists like Kandinsky and Mondrian pioneered abstract art, using formal elements to evoke emotions and ideas. Abstract Expressionists like Pollock and Rothko further pushed boundaries, emphasizing the act of creation and exploring color's emotional potential.

Abstract vs Non-representational Art

Defining Abstract Art

• Abstract art uses a visual language of shape, form, color, and line to create compositions that may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world
• Simplifies, emphasizes, or distorts elements from reality
• Key characteristics include simplification, distortion, emphasis on formal elements, and a departure from realistic representation
• May still contain recognizable forms or subjects, but they are often abstracted or stylized (Picasso's Cubist portraits, Mondrian's grid-based compositions)

Defining Non-representational Art

• Non-representational art, also known as non-objective art, does not depict objects from the natural world
• Uses the elements and principles of art to create purely abstract compositions that do not reference external reality
• Key characteristics include a complete absence of recognizable subject matter, a focus on the intrinsic qualities of the medium, and an emphasis on the expressive potential of formal elements such as color, line, shape, and texture
• Examples include Kandinsky's later compositions, Pollock's drip paintings, and Rothko's color field paintings

Theoretical Foundations of Abstract Art

Philosophical and Theoretical Influences

• Abstract and non-representational art movements emerged in the early 20th century as artists sought to break free from traditional representational art and explore new forms of expression
• Influenced by the concept of "art for art's sake," which emphasized the intrinsic value of art independent of its representational qualities or moral and social implications
• Non-representational art was influenced by the idea of "pure abstraction," which sought to create art that was completely divorced from external reality and focused solely on the formal elements of the medium
• The influence of spirituality and mysticism, particularly in the works of artists such as Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian, played a significant role in the development of non-representational art

Contributions of Early 20th Century Art Movements

• Expressionism emphasized subjective experience and emotional intensity, paving the way for abstract art (Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner)
• Futurism celebrated the dynamism and energy of the modern world, using fragmented forms and lines to suggest movement (Umberto Boccioni, Giacomo Balla)
• Cubism fragmented and analyzed form, leading to a departure from realistic representation (Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque)
• These movements contributed to the development of abstract art by challenging traditional notions of representation and exploring new ways of expressing ideas and emotions

Formal Elements in Abstract Art

Color, Line, and Shape as Meaning-making Tools

• In abstract and non-representational art, formal elements such as color, line, and shape become the primary means of creating meaning and evoking emotional responses in the viewer
• Color can be used to create mood, depth, and movement in abstract compositions through the use of color symbolism, color harmonies, or color contrasts
• Line can create rhythm, direction, and energy in abstract art, with the quality of the line (thick, thin, smooth, or jagged) contributing to the overall mood or feel of the composition
• Shape can create balance, tension, or unity in abstract compositions, with the arrangement and interaction of shapes suggesting movement, depth, or symbolic meanings

Texture and the Interplay of Formal Elements

• The use of texture, either actual or implied, can add depth, tactile interest, and visual complexity to abstract and non-representational art
• The interplay and juxtaposition of formal elements can create a sense of harmony, discord, or dynamism in the composition
• This allows the artist to convey complex ideas or emotions without relying on representational subject matter
• Examples include the textural richness of abstract expressionist paintings (Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner) and the harmonious balance of color and form in color field paintings (Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman)

Abstract Artists: Approaches and Impact

Pioneers of Abstract and Non-representational Art

• Wassily Kandinsky, often considered the pioneer of abstract art, focused on the expressive potential of color and form, creating compositions inspired by music and spirituality (Composition VIII, 1923)
• Piet Mondrian, a key figure in the De Stijl movement, developed a highly structured and geometric approach to non-representational art, using only straight lines and primary colors to create compositions that embodied a sense of universal harmony and balance (Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow, 1930)
• These artists laid the foundation for the development of non-representational art and influenced generations of artists to come

Abstract Expressionism and Beyond

• Jackson Pollock, a central figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, employed "action painting," which involved dripping, splattering, and pouring paint onto the canvas, emphasizing the physical act of painting and the expressive potential of the medium itself (Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist))
• Mark Rothko, another prominent Abstract Expressionist, created large, color field paintings that explored the emotional and spiritual dimensions of color, featuring rectangles of color that seemed to float on the canvas, creating a sense of depth and luminosity (No. 61 (Rust and Blue), 1953)
• Contemporary abstract and non-representational artists continue to push the boundaries of the medium, incorporating new technologies, materials, and conceptual approaches into their work
• Their diverse practices demonstrate the ongoing relevance and vitality of abstract and non-representational art in the 21st century (Julie Mehretu, Tomma Abts, Mark Bradford)