What is abstractionism?

What is abstractionism and why is it so much talked about?

Hey! This text has been translated into English using automatic Google translation. So I apologize for the inaccuracies in the text. The original in Russian can be seen here

So, we figured out and understood what “contemporary art” really is. If you haven’t read about it yet, I recommend: What is “contemporary art”?

Now it is necessary to delve into one of the aspects of modern art called abstractionism. Let’s go over superficially from the origins of appearance to formation. Only in this way will we be able to understand what is happening in art now and what it is moving towards.

The history of the emergence of abstractionism

To begin with, let’s see how abstractionism began and how it appeared. After all, it is impossible to understand the essence without knowing the origins.

As expected, all art originated a very long time ago. The first examples of abstract drawings appeared in the most ancient times, back in the period of the primitive world. This is evidenced by abstract ornaments and drawings on the surfaces of ancient artifacts and caves. And they still argue which came first, abstract or realistic art.

However, as a direction in painting, abstractionism appeared in 1910. It was then that fine art theorist Wassily Kandinsky painted his first abstract watercolor. It is the knowledge of the time frame of the origin of the current that makes it possible to understand why it appeared at all.

Having carefully examined the period of the beginning of the 20th century, one can see that, in general, a state has developed in art when people are tired of everything that is established and widespread. At that moment I wanted something completely new. And abstractionism, which can be called extremism in art, made it possible to go beyond the existing framework. Indeed, at that time, in one or another era, a certain style dominated, and it was impossible to work otherwise.

In addition, there was a similar state of change in society. As we remember, there were wars and revolutions at that time. Which, quite naturally, spurred and accelerated the process of changes in art.

However, after all, abstractionism did not arise immediately, at one moment. Here was realism, and now abstractionism. It doesn’t work like that and it doesn’t work like that. The human brain is designed in such a way that it does not particularly like sudden changes. Therefore, the change of direction occurred gradually. And in the beginning, impressionism appeared. It was this technique that allowed artists to think outside the established framework, much more freely. And over time, thoughts reached the extreme in the form of abstractionism.

What is abstractionism?

So what exactly is the abstract art that is being talked about so much? In general, this is a style in painting and in art that rejects any realistic depiction of the surrounding world. The followers of abstractionism seek to evoke certain emotions in the viewer, forcing him to think out the meaning on his own. They achieve this with the help of simple shapes, lines and color play. This is what distinguishes abstractionists from the rest.

So what exactly is the abstract art that is being talked about so much? In general, this is a style in painting and in art that rejects any realistic depiction of the surrounding world. The followers of abstractionism seek to evoke certain emotions in the viewer, forcing him to think out the meaning on his own. They achieve this with the help of simple shapes, lines and color play. This is what distinguishes abstractionists from the rest.

In an abstract display, as a rule, details are excluded, and the whole composition is built on general principles and basic simple forms. The principle of simplifying everything, giving a universal look, works here.

So what exactly is the abstract art that is being talked about so much? In general, this is a style in painting and in art that rejects any realistic depiction of the surrounding world. The followers of abstractionism seek to evoke certain emotions in the viewer, forcing him to think out the meaning on his own. They achieve this with the help of simple shapes, lines and color play. This is what distinguishes abstractionists from the rest.

In an abstract display, as a rule, details are excluded, and the whole composition is built on general principles and basic simple forms. The principle of simplifying everything, giving a universal look, works here.

However, abstract art is not only painting and sculpture. It manifests itself in everything, in all forms of art, including architecture and music.

The result of the impact of abstractionism on contemporary art.

The emerging style became, without exaggeration, the beginning of a new era in painting. From now on, the artist could completely abandon the restrictions and frameworks and freely express himself, embodying emotions, thoughts and sensations in his works.

Therefore, we can safely and confidently say that without the abstract there would not be that freedom now. When any artist can do what he wants. It was thanks to this that, for example, surrealism appeared, as well as hyperrealism (but about it next time).

Such freedom is a huge plus. And this is a huge minus. Over time, all the holding canons were erased, and with them the understanding of the word “art” disappeared. Now every author is free to claim that it is his work that is the “great masterpiece”.

The absence of any framework at all makes it possible to look for new ways for creativity. This is wonderful! But, at the same time, it is impossible to understand what is art and what is not, since the old evaluation criteria no longer work. But this is already very bad, very bad.

P.S.

When discussing abstract art, one must certainly remember such a bright artist as Jackson Pollock. Therefore, I am attaching a frame from a film about him, “Pollock” (2000)

Somehow leafing through the news feed, I came across a publication by one author. He also considered the question: “How to understand contemporary art?” And there was only one comment, it consisted of two words: “Is it necessary?” And, this is the best thing I have read and seen about contemporary art.

Master of Arts Viachaslau Shainurau

To be continued…