Invention of Abstraction Cubism, Futurism, De Stiijl
Prior to Abstraction Expressionism Fauvism Led to Cubism
What is Abstract Art? Abstract art came about at the beginning of the 20th century. It is the opposite of Expressionism The main focus of abstraction is design - how all the parts of the composition relate to one another. The point of abstraction is to simplify or reduce an image to its elemental forms Abstract art came in three important movements: Futurism, Cubism, & De Stijl.
Rejected Expressionism Opposite of Expressionism Exploration of shapes, not emotions
Inspiration Post Impressionist Artists: Van Gogh Cezanne Matisse Bright colours, vivid forms and non-realistic images Picasso reduced one of Cezanne’s paintings into 3 shapes: cube, sphere and cone
Common Characteristics Bright Colours Geometric Shapes Unrealistic Images Cut Out Shapes
Cubism A style of art in which the subject is broken apart and reassembled in an abstract form, emphasizing geometric shape Analytic Cubism: looks like a shattered composition Synthetic Cubism: uses various synthesized views or aspects of an object, based on collage Allows the viewer to see more than one point of view simultaneously. Part representation, part abstraction.
13) Pablo Picasso. Les Desmoiselles D’Avignon. (1907) Oil on canvas. This piece is considered to be the first painting in “Modern Art” – shatters all conventions Multiple viewpoints are shown Influence: African masks Primitivism – idealizes non-Western cultures as being more ideal and less corrupt than Europe Picasso once said it took him many years to learn to draw like children
Analytic vs. Synthetic Cubism
Futurism A style of painting and sculpture that emerged in Italy in the early 20th century. Influenced by WW1 and Industrial revolution It emphasized the machine-like quality of “modern” living. Often there was a focus on dynamism or “lines of force” in objects.
14) Joseph Stella. Brooklyn Bridge. ( ) Oil on canvas. Shows the beauty of this man-made structure Perhaps viewed from a speeding car, crossing the bridge Idealized view of city life and the benefits of industrialization
15) Umberto Boccioni. Unique Forms of Continuity in Space. (1913) Bronze. Focused on the “miracles of contemporary life” – the industrial age (ie. railroads, boats, planes) Tried to “revive” sculpture – this piece a futuristic
De Stijl (literally “The Style” in Dutch) A cold and intellectual approach to design begun by Piet Mondrian. It developed into a specific non-representational style called De Stijl. It shows complete reliance on design and no feeling or emotion. Meant to show precise, mechanical order that does NOT exist in nature.
16) Piet Mondrian. Diagonal Composition. (1921) Oil on canvas Based on straight lines and geometric shapes Create a sense of harmony and order Mondrian’s view: vertical lines = vitality, horizontal lines = tranquility, crossing them creates : “dynamic equilibrium” Used only greyscale and primary colours Calculated placement of colours and shapes to create asymmetrical balance
Cubism, Futurism, De Stijl?
Creating Abstract Art Watch This Artist effortlessly create Abstract Art
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