Abstract Art - Research Paper Example

Art People express themselves in many ways, it maybe through dancing, singing, sculpting or painting. Humanity conveys their emotions and thoughts through these forms of art, one of these expressions that people have trouble understanding and appreciating is abstract art. Abstract art came to existence because of the demands of new styles or mediums knowing that a work of art had to mimic or signify outer reality. Abstract art deviated from the laid down principle that an art should provide a recognizable scene or object.

In the earlier parts of the 1900’s up to the 1930’s, additional techniques which involved the rejection of the 3-D perspective came out, colours and shapes were also abstracted. Deviation from the academic art was about artistic freedom for artists as they pursue more personal and realistic styles. The first original abstract art form was developed by Wassily Kandinsky in 1910. He practically and theoretically defined abstract art. He theorized that portrayed art should be based on spiritual realm, and not just the things we see ordinarily as the visual world (Gerch-Nesic, 2012).

The history of abstract art involves thousands of artists with different artist backgrounds. In the later part of the 19th century, impressionism showed that the natural and normal styles of art thought academically were no longer the only way of doing things. Neo-plasticism (1920-1940), abstract expressionism (1940-1955), conceptual art, contemporary realism, photorealism, and hyper realism (1960-1975), and neo-expressionism (1970-1990) are some of the major developmental stages in the history of abstract art while the famous form of abstract art began around 1975 , also known as Post-Modernism.

Early history reveals that abstract art had been used in decorations for textiles and pottery, even in the early twentieth century abstract patterns. In the twentieth century, abstract art type was widely accepted. The three major forms of abstract art are cubism or also known as “ Picasso style”, neoplasticism and abstract expressionism. Pablo Picasso and Georges are famous for cubism, Piet Mondrian is best in neoplasticism, mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock are well known for their abstract expressionism (Anon., 1990). Contemporary artist who are known to make abstract art this century are the abstract expressionist Verika, Ronnie Landfield who is a lyrical abstract painter, Helen Berman, a lyrical abstract impressionist, and Dan Christensen who is also an abstract expressionist.

It is almost impossible to give a specific concept for abstract art. Everyone, including abstract artist, has their own idea on what abstract art really is. For some it is formless and for other it can use mixed forms, with shapes, but in an strange manner and for some, it has more or less abstract to it. For die-hard abstract artist, abstract art is that which is entirely formless and does not use any recognizable elements. Jackson Pollock’s works are perhaps the foremost example of abstract art and also considered as having painted one of the most expensive painting.

The primary challenge of abstract art is therefore to create a work of art without using form. The techniques used in abstract art consists of either patterns or random systems of lines, colours using brush and easel, looks at space brushwork, paint quality, and collage or pour-and-spatter using paints, Pollock’s painting entitled “ No. 5” in 1948 is a perfect example (Collin, 2012) . Other techniques used by modern acrylic artists are staining, scraping, and abrading. Abstract artists use the same kinds of materials used by realistic artists.

Examples of these materials are brushes, paints, canvas, paper, wood, water colour and more. The major difference between these artists is the way they convey their ideas and emotions. For abstract artists, they show this trough distorted shapes and colours, while for the realistic artists, they show this through easily understandable works of art. Abstract or non-abstract, one thing stays the same, it is art. It is both the expression of someone’s idea, emotion and perspective. It is how the artist sees himself.

It is his masterpiece. Abstract artists just chose to show these expressions in an abstracted form. References Gersh-Nesic, B., 2012. Art History. Art History Definition: Abstract Art, [e-article], Abstract Only. Available through: http://arthistory.about.com/od/glossary_a/a/a_abstract_art.htm [ June 22, 2012]. Knowledge Unlimited, Inc, 1990 . Twentieth Century Art Masterpieces teacher’s guide. [pdf] Wisconsin, USA: Knowledge Unlimited® Inc. Available at: http://www.thekustore.com/guides/7013P.

pdf [June 23, 2012] Collins, N., 2012. Art Encyclopedia 2012 Painting-Sculpture-Mixed-Media Visual Arts. Jackson Pollock Biography, Drip-Paintings Of Abstract Expressionist Inventor of Action-Painting. [online] Available at: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-artists/jackson-pollock.htm