🥁Intro to Art Unit 9 – Abstract Art: Expressionism, Surrealism & Dada

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Abstract art departs from realistic representation focuses on shapes, colors, forms and gestural marks
• Expressionism emphasizes subjective emotions over realism distorts forms for emotional effect
• Surrealism explores the subconscious mind juxtaposes disparate elements to create dream-like imagery
  • Automatism technique used by Surrealists to create art without conscious thought
• Dada rejects traditional art values embraces irrationality, nonsense and absurdity as a reaction to World War I
• Non-representational art does not depict recognizable objects or scenes from the natural world
• Biomorphic shapes are abstract curving forms suggestive of living organisms
• Gestural brushwork involves energetic and expressive application of paint emphasizing the physical act of painting

Historical Context and Origins

• Expressionism emerged in early 20th century Germany as a reaction against Impressionism and academic art
  • Influenced by Post-Impressionism, Fauvism and German Romanticism
• Surrealism developed in the 1920s in Paris from the Dada movement
  • Inspired by Sigmund Freud's theories of the unconscious mind
• Dada began in Zurich, Switzerland during World War I as a protest against the absurdity and horror of war
  • Spread to Berlin, Paris and New York
• Abstract Expressionism arose in the 1940s and 1950s in New York City
  • Influenced by Surrealism's emphasis on automatism and the subconscious
• Social and political upheavals of the early 20th century (World Wars, rise of fascism) shaped the development of these movements
• Technological advancements (photography, film) challenged traditional notions of art and representation

Major Artists and Their Works

• Wassily Kandinsky, a pioneer of abstract art, known for compositions like "Composition VIII" (1923)
• Franz Marc, German Expressionist, famous for vivid depictions of animals such as "Blue Horse I" (1911)
• Salvador Dalí, iconic Surrealist, created dream-like paintings like "The Persistence of Memory" (1931)
  • Collaborated with filmmaker Luis Buñuel on the Surrealist film "Un Chien Andalou" (1929)
• Joan Miró, Spanish Surrealist, known for biomorphic forms and playful compositions like "Harlequin's Carnival" (1924-25)
• Marcel Duchamp, a key figure in Dada, challenged art conventions with "readymades" like "Fountain" (1917)
• Jackson Pollock, Abstract Expressionist, pioneered "drip painting" technique in works like "Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist)"
• Mark Rothko, Color Field painter, created large, meditative canvases with luminous color blocks

Techniques and Styles

• Expressionists used vivid, non-naturalistic colors and distorted forms to convey emotions
  • Employed thick, gestural brushstrokes and rough, textured surfaces
• Surrealists combined incongruous elements to create bizarre, dream-like scenes
  • Used techniques like automatism, frottage (rubbing) and decalcomania (pressing) to tap into the subconscious
• Dada artists embraced chance, randomness and absurdity in their works
  • Created collages, photomontages and assemblages from found objects and everyday materials
• Abstract Expressionists emphasized spontaneous, gestural mark-making and the physical act of painting
  • Developed techniques like "drip painting" (Pollock) and "color field painting" (Rothko)
• Experimentation with non-traditional materials and unconventional techniques challenged established art norms

Philosophical and Cultural Influences

• Friedrich Nietzsche's ideas about the individual's will and the rejection of traditional values influenced Expressionism
• Sigmund Freud's theories of the unconscious mind and dream interpretation were central to Surrealism
  • Carl Jung's concept of the collective unconscious also influenced Surrealist thought
• Dada was shaped by the absurdist philosophy of writers like Tristan Tzara and Hugo Ball
  • Embraced anarchist and anti-bourgeois sentiments in reaction to the horrors of World War I
• Zen Buddhism and Eastern philosophy influenced Abstract Expressionists like Mark Tobey and Ad Reinhardt
  • Emphasized spontaneity, meditation and the spiritual dimensions of art-making
• Existentialism and post-war disillusionment shaped the introspective, expressive nature of Abstract Expressionism

Impact on Modern Art

• Abstract art paved the way for non-representational and conceptual art movements of the mid-20th century
  • Influenced later styles like Minimalism, Pop Art and Neo-Expressionism
• Expressionism's emotional intensity and distorted forms inspired later figurative painters like Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud
• Surrealism's exploration of the irrational and subconscious influenced the development of Abstract Expressionism
  • Surrealist techniques like automatism were adopted by Abstract Expressionists
• Dada's use of readymades and unconventional materials expanded the boundaries of what could be considered art
  • Influenced later movements like Pop Art and Conceptual Art
• The large-scale, immersive canvases of Abstract Expressionists like Pollock and Rothko influenced Installation Art and Environmental Art

Analyzing and Interpreting Abstract Art

• Consider the formal elements of the work (color, line, shape, texture, composition)
  • Analyze how these elements contribute to the overall mood, emotion or impact of the piece
• Research the artist's biography, influences and historical context to inform interpretation
• Examine the work's title, if available, for insights into the artist's intentions or themes
  • Be open to multiple interpretations based on personal experiences and associations
• Consider the work's scale and how it relates to the viewer's body and physical space
• Reflect on the emotional or psychological response the work evokes in you as a viewer
  • Trust your intuitive reactions and subjective impressions when engaging with abstract art

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• Abstract art challenged traditional notions of representation and expanded the possibilities of artistic expression
  • Paved the way for diverse contemporary art practices and interdisciplinary approaches
• The emotive power and psychological depth of Expressionism continues to inspire contemporary painters and sculptors
  • Neo-Expressionism of the 1980s revived interest in gestural, emotionally charged figurative painting
• Surrealism's exploration of the subconscious and dream imagery remains influential in contemporary art, literature and film
  • Contemporary artists like Cindy Sherman and David Lynch incorporate Surrealist themes and techniques
• Dada's irreverent spirit and questioning of art institutions resonates with contemporary activist and politically engaged art practices
• The monumental scale and immersive nature of Abstract Expressionist canvases anticipated contemporary Installation Art and site-specific works
  • Contemporary artists like Anish Kapoor and James Turrell create large-scale, experiential installations that engage the viewer's senses and perceptions