FD 402 CONTEMPORARY ART APPRECIATION

AIM OF SUBJECT CONTEMPORARY Means “within the same period” , “ Samkaalin” Compare art within various period of history, realize the link between art and daily life, and recognize the traditional art and its modern form. Centuries* (The 20th century ended December 31, 2000. The 21st century started January 1, 2001.)

UNIT -1 Art Styles of Forties & Fifties Abstract Expressionism Action Painting

Abstract Expressionism

Abstract - means theoretical, conceptual , notional, intellectual . Abstract expressionism is an American post–World War II art movement in American painting, developed in New York in the 1940s. Abstract - means theoretical, conceptual , notional, intellectual . Expressionism - refers to art that emphasizes the extreme expressive properties of pictorial form in order to explore subjective emotions and inner psychological truths.

Abstract Expressionism Period: Late 1940s , early 1950’s Locale: New York, East Hampton Aim: Express inner life through art Technique: Free application of paint, no reference to visual reality Theory: Image not result of a preconceived idea , but of creative process Motto – artist want people to “feel” their art

Jackson Pollock

Eyes in the Heat, 1946 by Jackson Pollock

Portrait and a Dream, 1953 by Jackson Pollock

Full Fathom Five 1947 The work is loosely based on a Shakespeare line from the Tempest. Oil Paint, nails, combs, cigarette butts, buttons, keys, matches, etc. Fathom - Find the cause or measure of depth 6’ Van Gogh without imagery, Picasso without space

Pollock The paintings act as a visual metaphor – matter (the paint mark) is energy. The paint surface contains a sense of constant struggle. Paintings often appear unfinished due the loose technique. The works are equally spontaneous and deliberate. The process (method used to create the work) is as important as the finished product. The viewer is meant to be aware of the process; it is important to imagine the artist in the act of creation. Paintings are done on a heroic scale.

Pollock’s paintings are experimental Pollock’s paintings are experimental. He was interested in developing new techniques (dripping, splattering, etc.) as well as forms.

In Pollock’s most famous works the process involved laying the canvas on the floor and walking on and/or in the work while painting it.

Mark Rothko

Colour Field Painting– The paintings contained two elements 1) Colour – Meant to have emotional impact on the viewer. 2) Field – Large surface area meant to envelop the viewer.

Magenta, Black , and Green on Orange 1949

Earth and Green 1955

Colour Field Painting Rothko’s style contains soft edges and blended colours. Hazy edges on the colour areas create the effect of foreground shapes floating on a background. The expressive qualities are subtle and serene, not violent like De Kooning and Pollock. This is art stripped to its purest form with maximized visual impact & minimized imagery. The subject of the painting changes according to the viewer’s experience. In other words, the meaning is subjective.

Hans Hofmann “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak".

The Gate and Golden rectangles

Droste Effect The Droste effect is a specific kind of recursive picture   http://www.gogeometry.com/geometric_abstraction/hans_hofmann_the_gate_golden_rectangle_droste_effect.html

Action Painting Action painting sometimes called "gestural abstraction", is a style of painting in which paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather than being carefully applied. Creativity is done with the material they posses at the time of painting Action painting is a branch of abstract expressionism In action painting the theme depend upon the subject

Jackson Pollack

Jackson Pollock was called an “action painter” because his work shows movement and rhythm.

Born in Wyoming, he moved to New York to study under Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton. He began by painting realistic pictures but quickly decided to try his own type of art.

Pollack believed all parts of a painting were important, and nothing should stand out.

The lines in this Pollock painting suggest movement The lines in this Pollock painting suggest movement. You can also see a “web effect” in his work.

Pollack was considered an abstract painter because there is nothing realistic in his paintings.

Jackson Pollack at work in his studio.

Jackson Pollack used “earth colors” in many of his paintings.

Jackson Pollock died in a car crash in 1956 Jackson Pollock died in a car crash in 1956. His work will be remembered by his technique of dripping paint onto his canvas. Created by L. Welling

"Winter Time" by Mira Lisa Schiratis

"Mind Meditation" by Karen Feuer-Schwager

Assignments Study Abstract Expressionism and Action Painting Collect different visuals interpret them and submit with their write up. At least 7 visuals with minimum 30 words of write up per visuals