Thoughts On Abstract Art by Artist KDD

Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition, defines abstract as “designating or of art abstracted from reality, in which designs or forms may be definite and geometric or fluid and amorphous: a generic term that encompasses various non-realistic contemporary schools.”

When most people look at abstract art, they ask “what is it?”. Abstract art is a radical departure from representational art. The latter is quite clear as to the subject matter, while the former begs of the viewer to look at the work and look inside themselves for the meaning. Knowledge of the artist gives many clues to the meaning of the work for the artist, but the viewer can find their own meaning of the work if they allow themselves to “feel” the work.

Abstract art is spiritual in nature. It rests on symbols to propose its meaning. Picasso’s “Guernica” is alive with symbolism. It is a very expressive painting of the artist’s reaction to a pre World War Two battle fought in his native Spain. The expressed symbolism tells of the horror of war and the repulsive nature of man’s inhumanity to man.

Abstract art takes many styles into account. There is Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism and Dada to name a few of the styles of abstract art. There are some academics that state that abstract art is not art. Their view is that if a work of art is not representational, then it’s not art. I remember reading where Edward Weston, the “Father” of fine art photography stated that photography was not art. What could be more representational than a photograph?

Jackson Pollock’s “Shimmering Substance” (Sounds in the Grass Series) is an example of the fluid and amorphous forms of abstract art. The canvas appears to be covered with blades of grass blowing in the wind. The paint is applied thick with a swirling, arcing brush stroke. It has an elementary look about it with Pollock’s sparing use of primary colors. This was a painting done in the style called abstract expressionism.

Marcel Duchamp presented “Nude Descending a Staircase” at the Armory Show in New York City and caused a scandal. At the time, Duchamp was running with the Dadaists. This was a group that enjoyed shocking the public with their art, literature and theater performances. “Nude Descending a Staircase” was presented in a Futurism style. Motion was the vehicle in the presentation. The figure was abstractly painted several times in different positions on each step of the staircase.

Cubism is a style that offers a multiple view around a subject on a two dimensional plane. The subject is abstracted, but still has a semblance of a recognizable
representational object. Georges Braque was one of the earlier practitioners of the style, as was Pablo Picasso.

Artist’s of the early abstract period crossed over into the different styles of abstract art. Abstraction was here to stay. So the next time you see an abstract art work, look at it. I mean really look at it. Try to become one with the work and listen to what your inner voice is telling you. The voice could be calm and serene and bring back pleasant memories from times past. Or it could repulse you and drag up bad memories from a time you thought you had forgotten. The work can speak to you if you allow it to. Please don’t ask, “what is it?”, because it wont answer you.