ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM c AVI 4M1

Modernism Expressionism Cubism Dadaism Futurism Constructivism DeStijl International Style Bauhaus Various Expressionist movements Surrealism Abstract Expressionism Colour Field Modernism is an umbrella term for many different styles … All of these styles, and more, are referred to as Modernism.

Rudolph Schlichter, “ Blind Power” 1937 The rise of Fascism in Europe in the 1930s caused many Avant Garde artists to flee and move to New York City.

The land of be-bop! Europe was the Old World, the land of old ideas; the land of Fascism and totalitarianism. America was the land of freedom and new ideas! The Modern World had arrived!

Many refugee artists got jobs teaching in new art schools that embraced Avant Garde ideas.

They encouraged an interest in using exploring the power of juxtapositions; … employing chance in art-making; … and exploring the unconscious through art. Jackson Pollock, She Wolf, 1943

Jackson Pollock, Mural, 1943 The resulting work became known as Abstract Expressionism.

Jackson Pollock, Moby Dick, 1943

Jackson Pollock painting “Action Painting” The act of painting was as important as the finished product; the action should be felt by the viewer.

Jackson Pollock, Lavender Mist, 1950 Cult of the Genius Shock of the NEW! Abstraction is essential Honesty of materials High Modernism

Lee Krasner

Lee Krasner, Noon, 1947

Willem de Kooning, Woman 1, 1950

Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko, Orange and Yellow, 1957

Mark Rothko Chapel

Josef Albers, Study for Homage to the Square Later Abstract Expressionism became less expressive and more concerned with geometry or paint effects; Called “Colour Field Painting”

Helen Frakenthaler

Helen Frakenthaler, Green Thought in a Green Shade, 1981

Helen Frankenthaler, The Bay, 1963

Morris Louis, The Point of Tranquility, 1958

Jackson Pollock, Lavender Mist, 1950 Abstract Expressionism became all the rage in post-war America where ‘new’ meant improved! It became the Cold War symbol of the freedom of democracy, contrasting with the Socialist Realism of Communism.

Abstract Expressionism : Key Dates: Key Artists: Jackson Pollock Lee Krasner Mark Rothko Willem de Kooning c.1945 – 1960

Abstract Expressionism : Influenced by: - The psychoanalytical, chance techniques of the Surrealists (automatic painting in particular);; - The freedom and new possibilities of post-war America. - The personal expressiveness of Expressionism;

Abstract Expressionism : Characteristics: - The use of chance in the creative process (splattering, automatic painting, etc.); - Large-scale: big is better; - Action Painting: the act of making the art, not just the product, is central to its essence;