The most symbolic of America's art movements developed in New York 1940s, following World War II. The term 'abstract expressionism' was first used in the German magazine 'Der Sturm' to help describe German Expressionism art pieces. Originally the name was derived from a combination of self-denial and emotional intensity from German Expressionists.
Anarchy, Rebellious and highly indiosyncratic. The basis to the Abstract expressionism style was influenced by surrealism, borrowing the idea of unconscious, relating to self and personal beliefs. Cubism was another major influence, strange shapes and extractions to convey emotion and movement. This is important because the not alot of the paintings had a specific product, it was abstract.
Abstract expressionism was split into two groups; one called action painters, led by Jackson Pollock and Willem De Kooning, large and wild brush strokes and seemingly chaotic pieces, and the other called the Colour-field painters formed by Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman and Clyfford Still, more of a smoother feel with use of focus colour and shapes.
The painting below (Autumn Rhythm by Jackson Pollock) is a action piece, you can tell because it doesn't have a centre, the whole painting is the subject, the wild movement used to create it give an empression of how Jackson Pollocks was feeling at the time.
Jackson Pollocks or 'Jack the dripper', a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement was greatly influenced by the work of Andre Masson and Max Ernst. Dripping paint onto a canvas, a wild and expressive style that was unique to him found him in considerable fame and notoriety. I think Jackson's long term use of excessive drinking had released his thoughts and feelings, then channeled into his art. Unfortunately it was his trouble with alcohol that caused his death at the age of 44.
Anarchy, Rebellious and highly indiosyncratic. The basis to the Abstract expressionism style was influenced by surrealism, borrowing the idea of unconscious, relating to self and personal beliefs. Cubism was another major influence, strange shapes and extractions to convey emotion and movement. This is important because the not alot of the paintings had a specific product, it was abstract.
Abstract expressionism was split into two groups; one called action painters, led by Jackson Pollock and Willem De Kooning, large and wild brush strokes and seemingly chaotic pieces, and the other called the Colour-field painters formed by Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman and Clyfford Still, more of a smoother feel with use of focus colour and shapes.
The painting below (Autumn Rhythm by Jackson Pollock) is a action piece, you can tell because it doesn't have a centre, the whole painting is the subject, the wild movement used to create it give an empression of how Jackson Pollocks was feeling at the time.
The McCarthy era; a time shortly after WWII where art was greatly suppressed in the United States. Many unfair investigative techniques were used against the American public, accusing people of being communists or communist sympathizers. Artists of this period were particularly targeted due to the expression of views through art, however if the art was totally abstract then it would be safe for viewing, only insiders would know the true meaning or message.
Mark Rothko, a Russian painter largely known for his colour field pieces, and use of coloured rectangles. looking at Marks artwork it doesnt seem to take you anywhere, there are no obvious stories behind them, unlike most other abstract expressionist painters. This was because he was a well known artist and didn't want the movement message tainted with. He thought people would just look at his art due to its popularity, not the experience hes intending.
Colour important to express emotion and I think Mark Rothko has used this well, he would walk up to a canvas with an feeling, this feeling is what he tries to show through the painting. The palette is so precise that just changing one of the colours could completely flip the feeling that's being suggested. The rough edges speak to me in a way that his emotions aren't perfect or well presented, they are sketchy and human.
Public reaction; critics went wild over this, they got upset because they couldn't find a meaning or purpose. The skill level required is minimal, critics called this dumb and childish. Iv noticed that most critics say this throughout other movements.
On the positive side, America felt proud, they could compete with the rest of the world and show they could do just as-well as Paris. Abstract expressionism became a mainstream movement, alot of people knew about it and were influenced by it.
Clement Greenberg respected the movement and the flatness of the canvas. He liked how they weren't trying to put 3D objects onto a 2D canvas.
Pop-art was influenced by Abstract expressionism, although Pop-art didn't have the same focus, it was less todo with the unconscious. Abstract expressionism paved the way for American art and lifted limitations and expectations that would normally limit people to producing their own pieces.
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