2. What it is… Abstract Expressionism isa painting movement in which artists typically applied paint rapidly, and with force to their huge canvases in an effort to show feelings and emotions. non-geometrically, sometimes applying paint with large brushes, and looks as if to be an accident but is really quite planned.
3. History… European artists began moving to America during WW II. The main result of the new American fascination with Surrealism was the emergence of Abstract Expressionism. Produced in New York roughly between 1940-1960. Jackson Pollack Ocean Greyness 1953
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5. Arshile Gorky was the artist to put this movement into motion, because his art ideals were obtained from Surrealism, Picasso, and Miro. Emphasized the depiction of emotion’srather then objects. Paintings consisted of shapes, lines, and forms meant to create a separate reality from the visual world.
6. Hans Hoffman Rising Moon “What was to go on the canvas was not a picture, but an event.” Critic- Harold Rosenberg
7. European Influence European Surrealists obtained their notion of the unconscious mind, from Sigmund Freud. Many Americans at this time, derived Carl Jung’s theory- the “collective unconscious” holds that beneath ones private memories, is a store house of feeling and symbolic thoughts. With all the European influence, Abstract Expressionists sought universal themes within themselves.
8. Action Painting One of the two techniques for Abstract Expressionism was known as Action Painting. A style of painting which paint is spontaneously dripped, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather then being carefully applied. Willem de Kooning- Paris Review 1979
9. Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) Influenced by Mexican muralist painters, and Surrealism. Canvases were usually on the floor, or the wall where he dripped or poured on the paint. Used knives, sticks, or towels instead of brushes. Occasionally putting sand, broken glass, or other matter, into his paintings. Resulted in direct expression and “Action Painting”.
13. “I have no fears about making changes, destroying the image… because the painting has a life of its own.” Jackson Pollock
14. Arshile Gorky (1904-1948) 3 Factors in work of the 1940’s Intense childhood memories of Armenia, prime subject matter. Growing interest in Surrealism. Many discussion with colleagues about Jungian ideas.
17. Willem de Kooning A pioneer in Abstract Expressionism. Tried to capture energy and emotion through Action Painting. Alternated between abstract and figural painting. Blended traditional forms, with a sense of uncertainty.
23. Franz Kline (1910-1962) His works around 1946 had a Cubist structure, or were abstract. Around 1950, he made large calligraphic paintings in black and white. In 1958, Kline introduced color in some of his works.
27. Color Field Painting The Second Type of Abstract Expressionism paintings. Paintings with solid area of color covering the whole canvas. Meant to be seen up close, so the viewer is immersed in color.
28. Mark Rothko(1903-1970) Asymmetrical blocks of color, and painted the edges of his canvases, then displayed them without frames. Titles were unimaginative leaving the interpretation up to the viewer.
31. Kenneth Noland(1924-2010) First to stain canvases with thinned paints. Appeared as pure and saturated color. Made concentric rings, and parallels, in relation to the size of the canvas.
34. Sculptures David Smith is one of the most famous Abstract Expressionism sculptor’s He created large, steel geometric sculptors His motivations were similar to that of the painters His most famous sculptors are his Cubi series
