15. Existentialism – A philosophical theory and attitude to life concerned with the being in
the world or existence of the free individual in an absurb or meaningless universe. Its
most prominent spokesmen were Søren Kierkegaard (Danish, 1813-1855). Martin
Heidegger (German, 1898-1976), and Jean-Paul Sartre (French, 1905-1980). Very
influential on art of the post-World War Two period.
absurd – Ridiculous or unreasonable: Also refers to the view that there is no order or
value in human life or in the universe — human beings exist in a meaningless, irrational
world, and lives have no purpose. During the 1940’s and 1950’s this concept became
important in relation to contemporary art. ‘The painting expressed a vision of life as
absurd’.
