This document summarizes several art movements presented by students in a 6th grade art class. It includes brief overviews of the Fauvism, Kinetic Art, Symbolism, Hard-Edge Painting, Pop Art, Op Art, Abstract Expressionism, Conceptual Art, Abstract Impressionism, and Prehistoric art movements. For each movement, it provides 1-2 sentences on the origins and key characteristics, and includes 1 example image. The document serves to concisely introduce multiple art styles and periods covered in the student presentations.

1. Art Movements
Sixth Grade Presentations
Spring 2012

2. Fauvism Anna Kankkunen
Fauvism is a style of art that started during the
beginning of the twentieth century. Post-
impressionists experiments with paint application,
subject matter, form and most importantly,
ordinary unmixed was what started the Fauvism
style. It was started primarily by a group of artists
who called themselves, Les Fauves, meaning "the
wild beasts" in french. The group's reputation grew
over time, but almost as soon as they were
recognized, the group split up.
The Fauves, who were very much like van Gogh,
wanted to paint using colors to express their
emotions instead of to draw exactly what they see.
Andre Derain once said, "I used colors as a means
of expressing my emotion and not as a
transcription of nature." Matisse also once said,
"There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative
painter than to pain a rose because before he can
do so, he has to forget all the roses ever painted."
Andre Derain and Matisse were the leaders of the
Fauves and these quotes explain the basics of the
Fauvism style.
One example of a Fauvism painting is the one to the right.
The colors are very bright and are not entirely realistic. It is
also a bit abstract. This painting is by Matisse and is called
"Woman With A Hat".

3. Kinetic Art Janna Ramadan
Kinetic art was created in Paris in 1955 inspired from
Dada. Kinetic means movement and that is exactly what kinetic
art is. Kinetic art was made to encourage people that art doesn’t
always have to be traditional, but instead optical illusions or
objects that move. Kinetic was soon split into two groups Jean
Tinguely who made mechanical movement art and Victor Vasarely
was more interested in optical illusions and illusion movement.
These two artists brought the two different parts of
kinetic art together and made them so special.Victor was taught
in Bauhaus ideas and founded optical illusions. He created it by
mixing black and white in different patterns to create a flickering
look. Then the start of the creation of mechanized movement
began. They used normal movements to examine objects in outer
space. They also used geometric shapes to make them have a
sense of shape. These mechanical movement machines would
move by hand or air.
Kinetic art made the start of Op art, which would
continue to gain the attention of the public. Each different art
would change into the next as Dada moved into Kinetic and that
moved into Op.In the 1960’s Op art took the attention of the
public and museums. Soon after that Kinetic art would soon
decline in artists interests.You can still find some examples of
kinetic art in museums, but it is not as common as it was when it
was first created.
Jean Tinguely Narva 1961

4. Symbolism Max Ellsworth
Unlike most art movements, symbolism has a very unique
style of its own. Symbolism started in the later part of the
19th century in Europe, and later influenced the beginning
of other art movements. While some aspects of symbolism
are simple to understand, others are highly thought-
provoking.
Symbolism art can exhibit many different scenes, but is
always structured around either a magical or preternatural
religious context. Such examples are fairylike creatures in
mystic locations, angelic people drifting though clouds,
ghoulish monsters hiding in dark and grim places, and many
more of the same sort.
Instead of directly showing its meaning, symbolistic
paintings require the viewer to give thought into either
interpreting what the artist was trying to say or in what
ways they see the painting’s meaning. Although sometimes
difficult to comprehend, symbolism is always fascinating,
magical, and emotional.
Edward Munch The Scream 1893

5. Hard-Edge Painting Peninah Hodin
Hard-Edge paintings started in late 1959s and ended in early 1970s,
with no true purpose except for enjoyment. It was first made noticed
by a Californian art critic, Jules Langsner. He was noticing an abstract art
trend and decided to create an exhibit at the Los Angeles County
Museum of Art, which showed the work of artists Frederick Hammersly,
Karl Benjamim, John McLaughlin, Lorser Feitelson, etc. Now this type of
art was becoming very popular in California and was spreading fast. The
exhibit eventually traveled to England and Ireland, and a British art critic
subtitled the show California Hard-Edge. People say that Hard-Edge
painting has combinations of artists such as Mondrian, Albers, and
Reinhardt. Today, the phrase “Hard-Edge paintings” is used to describe
some strange tendencies in abstract painting.
Frank Stella Moultonboro II 1965
Hard-Edge painting means an abstract style that mixes geometric
painting with the intense forms of Color Field painting. It is bold and
from faraway, looks very common, yet very unique and individual. This
type of art is known for its “economy of form, fullness of color,
impersonal execution, and smooth surface planes. (http://
www.theartstory.org/movement-hard-edge-painting.htm#, by: Justin
Wolf)” Eventually, this style of work fell from use as different types of
abstract painting moved in and Hard-Edge painting became just a term
for types of art. A very famous artist who used Hard-Edge painting is
Frank Stella (May 12, 1936- present).
In my opinion, I think that Hard- Edge painting is a fun, cool, abstract
style. I found it to have an interesting background and realized that
Hard- Edge painting is still around today, just under a different name. I
find it to be a very bold and expressing type of work.
Frank Stella Luna Wola II 1973

6. Conceptual Art Sara Molho
Conceptual art is a movement that became
known in the mid 1960s. Marcel Duchamp was one of
the first artist to champion this way of artistic thinking
back in 1910. He was a great believer in understanding
that art was about free and creative artistic though.He
thought that the necessary motor skills that are
needed to connect the brain to the hand and then to
the paint brush are not needed in order to create a
master piece. A great example of early conceptual art
that conveys the ideas outlined above is Marcel
Duchamp's 'Fountain'. The idea that art could take any
form shocked the art world and created divisions of
highly insulted art spectators and highly inspired
spectators and artists.The term 'Conceptual art' wasn't
originated until the 1950s. The term 'conceptual art'
was first used by Edward Kienholz. Other famous
conceptual artists are Robert Barry, Joseph Kosuth,
Chris Burden, Mel Bochner,Vito Acconci.
"Conceptual Art", which began as a movement
among the many artistic trends of the sixties, conceived
to demonstrate precedence of the artist's envisioned
concept over the technique employed for its
presentation, was found to encompass far more than its
contemporary movements and was a major influence This artwork is called “ One and Three Chairs”. It was made by Joseph
on later trends. So great was this effect that while many Kosuth in 1965. It is made out of Wood folding chair, mounted
of these art-forms have possess distinct characteristics photograph of a chair, and photographic enlargement of a dictionary
and individual names, they are collectively based on the definition of "chair".
aesthetic viewpoints of Conceptual Art.

7. Abstract Impressionism Timothy Lynch
This art movement began in the United States on the 1940s and
continued on until 1970. Artists fled Europe during World War II
and landed in New York City. There were a lot of artists living there
and they started a new type of art that was called Abstract
Impressionism. New York City became the new center for the arts
in the world. Art in Europe was temporarily a disaster due to the
war.
The meaning of Abstract Impressionism is that the artist retains the
most important part of the subject. They keep the main idea in
mind, and the rest of the painting seems wild and all over the place.
A lot of the times you can’t tell what the painting is and sometimes
you can.
I wanted to know more about Abstract Impressionism because I
have some paintings in my living room, and I wanted to know more
about them. Now I do know a lot of things about them, and I am
happy about that.Abstract Impressionism is my favorite art period
because I think it has an interesting past. I like the style.
Some famous artists that were Abstract Impressionists were Jean
Paul Riopelle, Arshile Gorky, Jackson Pollock, and William de
Kooning who coined the name – Abstract Impressionism. Some
Arshile Gorky One Year the Milkweed 1944 famous paintings from these artists are in museums, and some sell
for a fortune at Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses. Abstract
Impressionism usually describes feelings and emotions and a lot of
energy. The brush strokes are large and fast. Some artists don’t even
use paint brushes. The artist pours the paint, splashes the paint or
scrapes the canvas with knives and other tools. A famous Jackson
Pollock painting is “Splashed” and it looks like it was splashed with
paint. The paintings can be very colorful or they could be black and
white.

8. Abstract Expressionism Emnet Sisay
Abstract Expression is filled with
movement and texture. Abstract Expression
has many themes concepts and styles. One
example of that was Surrealism. Surrealism is
almost entirely leaned towards color and
shape. The artist Picasso often used this style
when painting.
Abstract was very successful and
popular to many artist’s. Many artist’s have
changed this style to fit themselves. Like
making it more detailed or using manly one
color instead of many scattered along their
painting.
By the late 1950’s Abstract Expression
had lost it’s place in the art world as many
other new movements came along as the
newer generation came.Younger artist’s tried
to keep it alive, but failed. With this
movement’s contemporary look some are Jackson Pollock Stenographic Figure 1942
still using it.

9. Pop Art Jonathan Elliott
Pop Art started in England around the years 1950 and
1960. But it got really going in New York around 1970.
Pop Art is still around today in many forms but the
most well known examples is Mickey Mouse.
Pop Art came around at the end of World War II. The
rationing had just ended so items, such as soup cans,
had gone into mass production. Some of the artists
based their work on the soup cans and other mass-
produced items such as cigarettes and beer. Pop Art is
kind of cartoony and very colorful and hard edged.
George Segal Walk, Don’t Walk 1976
Some people say that Pop Art started because artists
didn’t want to do Abstract Expressionism because they
thought those artists were greedy because they would
only sell to rich people at absurdly high prices. The goal
of Pop Art was to prove that Abstract Expressionism
wasn’t the only form of good art and that other people
actually understand Pop Art.
Five good pop artists are Peter Blake, Jim Dine, George
Segal, Hans Haacke, and Richard Linder.
Peter Blake Art Bus 2008-2009

10. Op Art Chad Batchelder
Op Art comes from the Bauhaus which was a school in
Germany. The Bauhaus closed in 1933, and that is when
Op Art was introduced to America. People chose to
do Op Art because illusions make people think and also
make people want to look at a painting that catches
their eye. The first piece of Op Art was made in 1966.
This creation was made by an English painter named
Bridget Riley. Even though Op Art started in Germany,
Riley was fascinated by the work and decided to create
her own.
Op is short for Optical. Op Art is a painting that shows
an Optical Illusion. The definition of illusion is an image
that when you look at them, your eye and brain don’t
agree. Therefore, your eyes look at the painting thinking
that something on the painting is moving when it really
isn’t. For example, if you stare at the center of an
optical illusion painting that is circular then look around
the room, you will notice that there are circles spinning
around the room from the direction of the circular
illusion that you have just looked at.
Some artists who chose to create Op Art as a career
are people such as Bridget Riley who created the first
piece of Op Art, Yaacov Agam, Josef Albers, Richard
Allen, Getulio Alviani, and the list goes on. These artists
were inspired by the optical illusions and have been Bridget Riley Movement in Squares 1961
inspiring others as well.

11. Abstract Expressionism Casey Hurley
Abstract Expressionism was an art movement from
1943-1965. Most of the artists were influenced by
“the eras leftist politics.” Abstract Expressionism is
a unique type of art that is very abstract, and there
is a lot of expression. Abstract Expressionism was
very popular during World War ll.
Many artists that are associated with this art period
developed in the early 1930s. Jackson Pollock was
the most well known Abstract Expressionist and
was a key example of Action Painting. His work
combined elements of Cubism, Surrealism, and
Impressionism. John Graham played an important
role in the development of Abstract Expressionism.
He was an expert on Cubism and Surrealism, and
used his knowledge to tutor young abstract artists.
Although the artwork was still displayed, by the late
50s, Abstract Expressionism lost its place “at the
Jackson Pollock #1 center or critical debate” and another generation
was at the beginning of success.

12. Prehistoric Art Claudia Inglessis
For my art movement I chose Prehistoric Art. This art is
linked to cavemen, and other early humans. Most of this
art is made up of humans and animals, representing the
traditions and customs of the people in that time
period. The materials used are said to be simple paints
made out of natural materials. The only colors that are
prominent are black and red. Cavemen also made art by
engraving stones.
This is an example of cave art. Art like this is
distinguishable, because of the location, color, and
images. The location was almost always the walls of
caves that have existed for thousands of years. Color
was not very important to these artists, because there
was not variety in their options. The only paint they had
was made out of materials like berries or wet bark.
Almost always, cave images portrayed animals
interacting with people that were oftentimes trying to
hunt them down. The style is distinguishable, because Deer and Hunters 17,000BCE
their drawings consisted of lean figures with strange Unknown Shaman, Paleolithic
proportions interacting with silhouettes of animals. Cave Painting Lascaux, France
This example is different, because it has different colors
and patterns. The colors are different because they are
lighter and have more variety. The pattern is more
structured, because the artist had a better idea of the
exact product they wanted. Another difference in this
painting is possibilities for creation. Several hands, or
only one could have made this painting. It could have
been made by an early paintbrush, or fingers.