Since the renaissance art has been a valued, respected, and treasured aspect of representation; for example, ‘The Birth of Venus’ represented Botticelli’s friendship with the powerful Medici family, was depicted as a chaste Virgin Mary, and emphasized the exact definition of symbolism. The artistic values, visualizations, and views of the past were derived through symbolism, and representation of the catholic church, a God, or mankind, but in the mid-twentieth century art made a three hundred and sixty degree turn, and became known as “abstract expressionism.” What is “abstract expressionism?” Abstract Expressionism is a style of painting that arose in the 1940’s right after World War II. It was unified in its emphasis on expressive gesture and its rejection of art as representation. It was a style marked by freedom of technique, a preference for dramatically large canvases, and gave spontaneous expression to the unconscious. Instead of painting representation imagery, abstract expressionism emphasized individual expression. Jackson Pollock or also known as, “Jack the Dripper,” was one of the few abstract expressionism artists who was intrigued by the notion of psychic automatism, and was interested in the role of the unconscious in art. He is known for his painting “Autumn Rhythm: November 30,” which conveys the artist’s physical activity, and expression which gives the art an “abstract” look. There are other forms and techniques of the type of art, but abstract expressionism is not a form of art that is derived from representation.
By Jacob Kish
By Jacob Kish
I applaud your attempt at making your post reflect the concept of abstract expressionism, yet I found it difficult to read. As abstract expressionism did arise in the United States directly after World War II, you make me wonder if it is a direct result of the atrocities of the war. Perhaps by showing the skewed visions of the inner soul, artists of abstract expressionism were trying to heal the great wounds inflicted upon them by the horrors of war. It is not too difficult to assume that people could not condone representations of the Catholic Church and God after the anguish of a world at war. With a focus on expressive gestures and shying away from representations, a new era began in the art world, as with a post-war world. Until I read your post, I had never heard of Jackson Pollock being called “Jack the Dripper”, but after looking at some of his paintings, it is quite understandable.
ReplyDeleteMaryann Bordonaro (Group Awesome)
I like how this post compares "The Birth of Venus by Boticelli, (which is a type of symbolic art) to abstract expressionism in general. "The Birth of Venus" was created using multiple techniques, some of which are quite generic and prevalent in paintings from the same era as well as those from previous eras. In this post the author explains how boticelli's painting was made to impress the Medici family as well as the church. Abstract expressionism paintings are usually very chaotic, obscure, unique, and relatively original. The finished artworks' appearance corresponds to the specific emotions and movements of each artist in particular, and are not limited by the expectations of political figures such as the church or state. Contrarily these paintings are rebellious and expressive and upon first glance one can easily see why the term abstract expressionism has been given to these beautiful works of art.
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