ABOUT ABSTRACT PAINTING
The term "abstractionism" comes from the Latin word abstractio, which means "removal, withdrawal". The aesthetic concept and artistic language of abstract art took shape at the beginning of the 20th century. Until then, in the works of individual masters, there were attempts to switch to non-figurative painting, but then this form of expression did not find understanding either in the academic environment or among fans of beauty. It is a revolutionary art movement that is an important part of cultural history.
The main principle of abstract art is the refusal to imitate visible reality. In the art object, instead of the realities of the surrounding world, one plays with the tools of artistic creation - color, line, shape, texture. The plot is changed by a plastic idea. Abstract art sought to free the creative mind from the rules of classical aesthetics. Basically, it is an ongoing experiment that transcends academic ideas about creativity, expressing the essence of artistic principles. Since the viewer does not find images familiar to our consciousness on the canvas, it is often difficult for him to appreciate the originality of the work and the creative intentions of the author of the canvas. Understanding abstractions requires the ability to feel and name feelings, specific knowledge and intellectual effort to put everything together.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A GOOD WORK OF ABSTRACT ART?
There are several objective criteria by which critics evaluate the works of masters of abstract art:
Education. A diploma from a university or academy-level educational institution confirms that the artist has been trained in all disciplines. It can produce quality pictures. Education becomes a kind of guarantee that the artist was able to freely choose painting styles and directions, and the passion for abstraction is not encouraged by the desire to hide the inability to draw.
Composition. There are basic rules for creating a composition. They reflect the harmony of perception of forms and their combination. The ability to work with the composition shows the professionalism of the author of the picture. Disregarding established rules is very clearly visible to the eye of a skilled professional.
Colors. Successful selection of primary, secondary or contrasting colors significantly enriches an abstract painting, causes deep emotional experiences and aesthetic pleasure for the viewer. A professional artist knows the principles of creating color balance and actively uses it when creating paintings.
Influence of artistic traditions and cultural context. In the work of the master of abstract art, traces of the influence of certain schools or movements can always be detected. Their aesthetic ideals, authentic language and goals influence the author's style and create the prism through which he views the world. The works of masters often reflect semantic fullness, which creates a sense of the depth of abstract art.
Authenticity. The desire for creative authenticity encourages artists to experiment with different artistic languages and techniques. The author's unique style makes it possible to distinguish the artist's paintings from the works of his colleagues, gives his paintings a special value and significance. In order to evaluate an artist's style, it is necessary to take into account the internal context of his work, to get to know the author's series of works in order to discover his characteristic techniques and solutions. In the works of true masters, you can always find recurring motifs that become a kind of signature of authenticity.
The works of lovers of abstract creativity are often characterized by stereotypical plots, compositional and color harmony deficiencies.
When evaluating the work of abstract creativity, pay attention to:
FORM (flat/volumetric, simple/complex, static/dynamic, organic/geometric);
COLOR (warm/cold, pure/impure);
TONE (lighter/darker, contrasting/nuanced);
COMPOSITION (complex/simple, symmetrical/asymmetric, static/dynamic);
TEXTURE (smooth/rough, contrasting/nuanced).
Professional artists use all of the above elements in their creations, but they are not equally emphasized in the author's style. For example, some artists prefer to work with colors, experiment with brightness and tones, while others emphasize the shapes of elements or drawings.
Color is one of the most effective means of managing emotions. Using combinations of warm color shades, artists aim to stimulate a person, increase tone and improve mood. Cold tones help to calm down, everything ponder, puts you in a sentimental mood.
Geometric shapes also influence emotions and mood, but their main purpose is the formation of images and ideas. The severity or amorphousness, elegance or roughness of the forms show the master's desire to analyze and explore space and objects.
THE WORLD'S FAMOUS ABSTRACTIONISTS: Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Barnett Newman, Mark Rothko, Joan Mitchell. Among European authors: Pierre Soulages, Georges Mathieu, Hans Hartung, Nicolas De Stael, Wassily Kandinsky.