Invention of Abstraction

Cubism, Futurism, De Stiijl

Prior to Abstraction

Expressionism Fauvism

Led to Cubism

What is Abstract Art?

Abstract art came about at the beginning of the 20th century. It is the opposite of Expressionism The main focus of abstraction is design - how all the parts of

the composition relate to one another. The point of abstraction is to simplify or reduce an image to its

elemental forms Abstract art came in three important movements: Futurism,

Cubism, & De Stijl.

Rejected

Expressionism Opposite of Expressionism Exploration of shapes, not emotions

Inspiration Post Impressionist Artists:

Van Gogh Cezanne Matisse

Bright colours, vivid forms and non-realistic images Picasso reduced one of Cezanne’s paintings into 3

shapes: cube, sphere and cone

Common Characteristics

Bright Colours Geometric Shapes Unrealistic Images Cut Out Shapes

Cubism A style of art in which the subject is broken apart and

reassembled in an abstract form, emphasizing geometric shape

Analytic Cubism: looks like a shattered composition Synthetic Cubism: uses various synthesized views or aspects

of an object, based on collage Allows the viewer to see more than one point of view

simultaneously. Part representation, part abstraction.

13) Pablo Picasso. Les Desmoiselles D’Avignon. (1907) Oil on canvas.

This piece is considered to be the first painting in “Modern Art” – shatters all conventions

Multiple viewpoints are shown Influence: African masks Primitivism – idealizes non-

Western cultures as being more ideal and less corrupt than Europe

Picasso once said it took him many years to learn to draw like children

Analytic vs. Synthetic Cubism

Futurism A style of painting and sculpture that emerged in Italy in

the early 20th century. Influenced by WW1 and Industrial revolution It emphasized the machine-like quality of “modern”

living. Often there was a focus on dynamism or “lines of force”

in objects.

14) Joseph Stella. Brooklyn Bridge. (1918-1920) Oil on canvas. Shows the

beauty of this man-made structure

Perhaps viewed from a speeding car, crossing the bridge

Idealized view of city life and the benefits of industrialization

15) Umberto Boccioni. Unique Forms of Continuity in Space. (1913) Bronze. Focused on the “miracles of

contemporary life” – the industrial age (ie. railroads, boats, planes)

Tried to “revive” sculpture – this piece a futuristic

De Stijl

(literally “The Style” in Dutch) A cold and intellectual approach to design begun by Piet Mondrian.

It developed into a specific non-representational style called De Stijl.

It shows complete reliance on design and no feeling or emotion. Meant to show precise, mechanical order that does NOT exist in

nature.

16) Piet Mondrian. Diagonal Composition. (1921) Oil on canvas Based on straight lines and

geometric shapes Create a sense of harmony and

order Mondrian’s view: vertical lines =

vitality, horizontal lines = tranquility, crossing them creates : “dynamic equilibrium”

Used only greyscale and primary colours

Calculated placement of colours and shapes to create asymmetrical balance

Cubism, Futurism, De Stijl?

Cubism, Futurism, De Stijl?

Creating Abstract Art

Watch This Artist effortlessly create Abstract Art http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM9qrfRhNVA

FIN