What is Minimalism?

Minimalism wasn't a real idea - it ended before it started.

~Sol LeWitt

A school of abstract painting and sculpture that emphasizes extreme simplification of form, as by

the use of basic shapes and monochromatic palettes of primary colors, objectivity, and

anonymity of style.

History/Background

• Primarily an American Art movement• Works surfaced primarily in the 1950’s and

1960’s– Often considered a reaction to World War II– Usually a response to the way the artist felt

about a certain issue rather than a reflection on the artist’s capabilities.

• GOAL: to allow the viewer to experience the work more intensely without distractions of composition and theme

Transition from Abstract Expressionism

Bartnett Newman: Concord, 1949

Bartnett Newman: Be I (second version), 1970

Bartnett Newman: Genesis – The Break,

1946

Traits

• Geometric

• Non-Representational

• Repetition

• Industrial materials

• Experiential

• Elimination of the Artist’s Hand

Geometric

Madinat as-Salam I by Frank Stella, 1970

Non-Representational

Untitled by Dan Flavin, 1973

Repetition

Stack by Donald Judd

Industrial Materials

Unititled by Donald Judd

Experiential

Cigarette by Tony Smith

Elimination of the Artist’s Hand

Wall Drawing No. 681 by Sol LeWitt

Close Reading

The Marriage of Reason and Squalor II by Frank Stella,1959