What is Abstract

art?

Abstract Art is art that is not an accurate representation of a form or object. 

This  representation can be differed in many ways including the shape,

color, and form. 

The artist takes the object and then either simplifies it or exaggerates it using these

things.

Styles of Abstract ArtStyles of Abstract Art

There are There are manymany different abstract styles.  different abstract styles.  There are three forms of abstraction that There are three forms of abstraction that really stand out: really stand out: 

Cubism, , Neoplasticism, ,   Abstract Expressionism.  . 

CubismCubism       Cubism is a more modern art movement in which forms are Cubism is a more modern art movement in which forms are

abstracted by using an analytical approach to the object and abstracted by using an analytical approach to the object and painting the basic geometric solid of the subject.  Cubism is painting the basic geometric solid of the subject.  Cubism is a backlash to the impressionist period in which there is more a backlash to the impressionist period in which there is more of an emphasis of light and color.  Cubism itself follows Paul of an emphasis of light and color.  Cubism itself follows Paul Cezanne statement that "Everything in nature takes its form Cezanne statement that "Everything in nature takes its form from the sphere, the cone, and the cylinder." in which these from the sphere, the cone, and the cylinder." in which these 3 shapes are used to depict the object of the painting.  3 shapes are used to depict the object of the painting.  Another way that the cubist expressed their painting was by Another way that the cubist expressed their painting was by showing different views of an object put together in a way showing different views of an object put together in a way that you can not actually see in real life.  The Cubism period that you can not actually see in real life.  The Cubism period stated in Paris in 1908, reached its peak in 1914, and stated in Paris in 1908, reached its peak in 1914, and continued into the 20's.  The leaders in the cubist era were  continued into the 20's.  The leaders in the cubist era were  Pablo Picasso  and    and  Georges Braque .  . 

Georges Braque's  "Candlesticks and Playing Cards"   "Candlesticks and Playing Cards"

Georges Braque "Violin and Pitcher"

Neoplasticism,Neoplasticism, Neoplasticism is the belief that art should not be Neoplasticism is the belief that art should not be

the reproduction of real objects, but the the reproduction of real objects, but the expression of the absolutes of life.  To the artists expression of the absolutes of life.  To the artists way of thinking, the only absolutes of life were way of thinking, the only absolutes of life were vertical and horizontal lines and the primary vertical and horizontal lines and the primary colors.  To this end neoplasticisist only used colors.  To this end neoplasticisist only used planar elements and the colors red, yellow, and planar elements and the colors red, yellow, and blue.  The neoplastic movement happened in the blue.  The neoplastic movement happened in the 1910's and the two main painters of this 1910's and the two main painters of this movement where Piet Mondrian and Theo van movement where Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg. Doesburg.

Piet Mondrian "Composition with Red, Yellow, and Blue"Piet Mondrian "Composition with Red, Yellow, and Blue"

Abstract ExpressionismAbstract Expressionism Abstract ExpressionismAbstract Expressionism is a style of is a style of

painting in which the painter shows his painting in which the painter shows his personality through spontaneity.  Most personality through spontaneity.  Most abstract expressionist art is not a abstract expressionist art is not a painting of an object or image, but painting of an object or image, but instead a study in color and brush instead a study in color and brush stroke.  stroke. 

There are two major types of abstract There are two major types of abstract expressionism.  One is Action Painting and expressionism.  One is Action Painting and the other is Color Field Painting.  the other is Color Field Painting. 

Action PaintingAction Painting Action painting Action painting

strives to show paint strives to show paint texture and the texture and the movement of the movement of the artists.  artists.  

Jackson Pollock  is Jackson Pollock  is an example of an an example of an Action Painter.  He Action Painter.  He dripped and poured dripped and poured his paint to create his paint to create his work.  his work. 

Pollock, Jackson "Lavender Mist: Number 1, 1950"

Color Field PaintingColor Field Painting A Color Field Painter is a A Color Field Painter is a

painter who is concerned painter who is concerned with just color and with just color and

shape.  shape.   Mark Rothko  is one of the Mark Rothko  is one of the

best examples of this kind of best examples of this kind of painter. This style is known as painter. This style is known as

the color-field branch of the color-field branch of abstract expressionism.  This abstract expressionism.  This style of painting is when an style of painting is when an

artist takes large, hazily artist takes large, hazily defined rectangles of color and defined rectangles of color and paints them on the canvas.  He paints them on the canvas.  He used a range of bright happy used a range of bright happy colors to dark murky colors to colors to dark murky colors to

convey his emotions and a convey his emotions and a sense of spirituality.sense of spirituality. Mark Rothko "Untitled"

Other Abstract Other Abstract ExpressionistsExpressionists

Hans Hoffman's "Flight"

Your assignmentYour assignment Research on an abstract artist. Choose Research on an abstract artist. Choose

one and be able to describe what his/her one and be able to describe what his/her paintings are about.- (Why did create paintings are about.- (Why did create what they did.) what they did.) ( 1 Class period in computer lab and at home.)( 1 Class period in computer lab and at home.)

Create your own abstract painting and Create your own abstract painting and be able to defend your color choices and be able to defend your color choices and composition/design. (Why you created composition/design. (Why you created what you did.)what you did.)