The Value of Jackson Pollock's Painting - Assignment Example

The value of Jackson Pollocks painting Worldwide, paintings are symbolic of artistic creativity and artist’s unending desire to communicate with unknown viewers, maybe, after centuries. Within this scenario, the evaluation of almost all paintings is based upon genuineness and artistic creativity. On the other side, the value of some other paintings is comparatively high because evaluation is based upon economic value within the scenario of art. To be specific, Jackson Pollock’s artworks are with immense economic value because the artist is on the apex of legendary fame, added with artistic creativity. Thesis statement: Jackson Pollock’s painting can be sold for millions dollars because the artist is generally identified as a self created legend, is related to the innovative painting technique of drip painting within Abstract Expressionism genre, his artworks are renowned for spontaneity, his artistic career is interconnected with the development of mass media, and his artworks are symbolic of Americanism with immense artistic and economic value. Self created legendary status One can see that fame and success within the scenario of art cannot be attained without any individual effort. Harold Rosenberg stated that, “The act on the canvas springs from an attempt to resurrect the saving moment in his “story” when the painter first felt himself released from Value-myth of past self-recognition” (31). For instance, the popularity of the artworks by Jackson Pollock is interconnected with the artist’s effort to go beyond the limits of traditional mode of painting. To be specific, the artist did not try to follow the painters who adopted traditional methods in painting. Instead, he chose his own way and method within art. Besides, he knew that traditionalistic approach towards art, especially in painting, cannot help him to attain the status of a legend. But one must not misunderstand that his aim was to acclaim fame because he believed in individual freedom of artists. Similarly, Jackson Pollock was deeply interested in experimenting with different types of paints and brushes including traditionally used paints and alkyd enamels, traditionally used paint brushes and syringes. This proves the artist’s mastery over his art and interest in experimentation. Besides, he considered painting to express his self and this attitude towards art helped him to attain the legendary status. In short, Jackson Pollock created his own innovative style of painting beyond the limits of traditionalism, and this helped him to attain the status as a self created legend. Drip painting within Abstract Expressionism genre The artworks by Jackson Pollock are interconnected with the genre of Abstract Expressionism within art. This genre of painting deeply influenced the development of art in America, especially in 1940s. But Clement Greenberg made clear that, “Abstractness, or the nonfigurative, has in itself still not proved to be an altogether necessary moment in the self-criticism of pictorial art, even though artists as eminent as Kandinsky and Mondrian have thought so” (87). To be specific, the American version of Abstract Expressionism helped the nation to be focal point or art culture during the first half of the 20th century. This artist’s influence on art is evident in the worldwide acclaim gained by his artworks. Besides, Jackson Pollock supported the American version of Abstract Expressionism because the same helped him to go beyond the limits of traditional mode of painting. The artists who support Abstract Expressionism believe that expression of artistic creativity must not be a conscious effort because conscious creation leads to artificiality. To be specific, Jackson Pollock never depended upon his consciousness to create artworks. Instead, he made use of the effortless movement of his body to create artworks. This innovative painting technique is generally known as Drip painting. For instance, the painter allows paint to ooze out onto the canvas. As most of his artworks are abstract, he was free to make use of different types of brushes. Besides, he thought that conventional mode of painting is mechanical and he considered that physical energy must be used while indulging in the process of painting. So, he used to move vigorously around the canvas and allow the canvas to fill with droplets of paint. In short, all these features including Drip painting helped Jackson Pollock to gain international fame as an artist within Abstract Expressionism. Spontaneity One can see that Pollock’s works are symbolic of individual freedom and spontaneity. Clement Greenberg made clear that, “All recognizable entities (including pictures themselves) exist in three-dimensional space, and the barest suggestion of a recognizable entity suffices to call up associations of that kind of space” (88). For instance, the artwork named as No. 5, 1948 (see appendix-1) by this artist is symbolic of spontaneity. To be specific, the artwork is beyond the limits of traditional art, not based upon the influence of different genres within art. Besides, the viewers consider this artwork as the spontaneous outflow of the artist’s creativity. The element of spontaneity in the artwork is evident in the fact that the artist made notable changes on the same. Pollock believed in spontaneity because he knew that conscious effort from his side cannot express his feelings within art because emotions are spontaneous. Similarly, the artwork named as Number 30 (see appendix-2) is symbolic of abstract strokes, symbolic of spontaneity. To be specific, overlapping abstract strokes in the artworks prove that the same is not based upon conscious effort from the side of the artist, but is related to the unexpected changes in his thought and action. In short, individual freedom results in spontaneity of action and is evident in Pollock’s works. Artistic career and mass media In the modern world, mass media is made use as an innovative tool by artists to accelerate their own career, i.e. in the form of self-promotion. Harold Rosenberg stated that, “Modern Art in America represents a revolution of taste-and serves to identify the caste conducting that revolution” (36). For instance, thousands of videos are uploaded in YouTube to promote art. Some maybe related to street art, graffiti, and other methods within art. This sort of promotion is helpful for unknown and unidentified artists to go beyond the limits of mainstream art. Similarly, Pollocks growth as an artist in interconnected with the rapid popularity gained by mass media in the western society. One can easily identify that the development of mass media during the first half of the 20th century deeply influence Pollocks artistic career. But he knew that constant exposure to media can limit his popularity because the viewers and readers may feel monotony. So, he rarely allowed photographers and news reporters to enter his studio. The article and related photographs published in the Life Magazine (say, in the year 1949) proves that how Pollocks presence influenced art. To be specific, during the time of the reporter’s visit, the artist was at the peak of popularity. Besides, the article helped him to gain international attention. But After a few years, Pollock was forced to undergo domestic and emotional problems related to depression and extreme alcoholism. But these problems did not affect his fame because mass media helped him to be on the apex within the international scenario of art. Americanism with immense artistic and economic value From a different angle of view, Pollocks works represent Americanism, with immense artistic and economic value. To be specific, Pollocks works are projected as the symbol of Americanism, or the importance given to American culture. Harold Rosenberg stated that, “At the center of this wide practising of the immediate past, however, the work of some painters has separated itself from the rest by a consciousness of a function for painting different from that of the earlier “abstractionists,” both the Europeans themselves and the Americans who joined them in the years of the Great Vanguard” (24). Besides, this connection is helpful for the artwork collectors to consider Pollocks works similar to money. On the other side, disputes related to the authenticity of the works do not diminish its economic value. Instead, disputes increase the value because the same results in international fame. Besides, news channels provide importance to disputes because the same is with entertainment value beyond news value. Similarly, the art collectors and auction centres depend upon forensic analysis to prove the authenticity of Pollocks works. Within the scenario of art, Pollocks works are generally considered as an investment because the same is with immense economic value. To be specific, the artwork collectors exploit Pollocks works relationship with Americanism because they are interested in the economic value of art. In addition, famous museums promote Pollocks works by conducting exhibitions and similar programs. So, the international viewers and art collectors cannot ignore Pollock’s works because the same is regarded as a cultural symbol and economic symbol beyond art. Summing, Pollock’s paintings represent freedom within the scenario of global art. The wide popularity and economic value gained by his artworks maybe related to the promotion of auction companies and artwork collectors. But one cannot ignore the novelty, spontaneity and individual freedom in Pollock’s paintings. Besides, he provided ample importance to the innovative technique of drip painting and this helped the viewers to perceive art from a different angle. Similarly, mass media promoted his works because the same was with entertainment value, and this helped him to attain international fame as an artist related to Abstract Expressionism genre. Still, his artworks’ relationship with Americanism is most important because it was helpful to identify the artworks as cultural symbol with immense artistic and economic value. Works Cited Greenberg, Clement. The Collected Essays and Criticism. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1995. Print. Rosenberg, Harold. The Tradition of the New. New York: Horizon Press Inc. 1959. Print. Appendices Appendix-1 No. 5, 1948 Available at: - http://www.zanda.com/items/things/93060710000002/no-5-1948-painting Appendix-2 Number 30 Available at: - http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/57.92 Read More