Abstraction, Modernism, and Color Theory

Abstraction

Abstraction is defined as being free from representational qualities in art. This means that the art is more about the paint then about the forms represented. Abstraction can be valued based on its use of space, texture, repetition, shape, color, line, etc. It is a form of expression that is purely "art for art's sake." The artist is not trying to represent anything concrete. If any representation is meant, it is purely emotional or psychological.

Modernism

Modernism is based on the theory of formalism. They are more concerned with perfecting those traits that are purely expressed in painting. It focuses on the flat, rectangular surface of the canvas. Modernism is the purity of paint. There is no attempt to have a distinct subject matter and content is to be avoided. The movement was saying that at its core, painting is about pure aesthetic experience. Painting should be therapeutic and free from outside values or influences. Modernism saw art as something fine and high.

Color Theory

Color theory believes that color can be a vital design element if you learn to use it properly. Color can be used to make a statement or illicit emotions from the viewers. These beliefs are partially backed by science as we have seen that certain colors have a real physical effect on people. Colors can have an affect on the viewer mentally as well.

At the top of this post is an abstract painting done by one of my classmates. I selected this one because I liked the patterns and balance of the piece. A modernist would view this artwork as exemplary of the type of art that should be created. It has no definite subject and makes no attempts to represent anything tangible. This artwork would be appreciated for its use of repetition, balance, and contrast. It would be under scrutiny for how the paint was applied to the canvas and how the brush stokes were laid down. Perhaps, the use of gradients would be mentioned to draw out a conversation about the forms and shapes created. I like the painting for many of those same reasons. It allows the viewer to appreciate the piece over an extended period of time. Because there is not subject or representations to tell the view what the painting is about, the view gets to decide and find shapes and figures in the lines and contours. It really is therapeutic to just sit and stare at it as you let your mind wander.

A postmodern artist would have a very different view on the artwork. They would claim that the artist was just throwing paint around. Postmodernists are more concerned with making a statement with their art. They have a commentary that they want to express to an audience with their art. They seek to draw attention to issues, the other, and power. There is a narrative that must be found in each painting. As far as color theory is concerned, I believe that the postmodernist could also find value in the idea that some colors help to communicate various messages. The marxist theories and ideas on deconstruction lend themselves to color theory. As a critic and one seeking to interpret the artwork, color could be used to find the hidden meanings. There could be a message as you look for new possibilities in the interpretation.

If I were discussing this piece with my students at high school, there are a few questions that I think would want to pose to them.

1. What thoughts come to mind as you view this artwork?

2. How can making abstract art be therapeutic for the artist?

3. Would you hang this up in your house? Why or why not?

Thoughts on Chaco Canyon

The road to Chaco was long and exciting. I was not very familiar with petroglyphs or Native American culture from the New Mexico region. Throughout the entire time I was walking among the ruins of the Chaco culture, I kept thinking that I wished I could have seen it in its prime. The buildings were so carefully built and their craftsmanship resulted in the walls being able to remain fairly intact for centuries. There were theories that the residents may have burnt the buildings as they left, which means that the structures may have held up better had there not been an arson during their exodus.

The landscape of the Chaco region was admirable and there didn’t seem to be enough time to explore all of the paths and views. I was so enthralled with exploring and admiring the artifacts of the ancient inhabitants that I didn’t take time to make any art of my own. Instead, I was content to soak in the art present in the petroglyphs, architecture, and natural surroundings.

I took time to attend a “Moon Walk” which involved a guided tour and more information about the region. The great houses that we walked among were most likely used in religious and festival activities. This would explain why there was such care taken to building the structures. The small size of the rocks used to construct the walls shows that it was most likely a painstakingly intricate and time-consuming process. The rocks had to be mined from the tops of the mesas. The wood used in the construction had to be dragged great distances from where it were harvested. One scientific report mentioned that a beam of wood from a doorway’s lintel was from a Douglas Fir. I don’t know what the vegetation looked like back around 850 AD, but there are currently no forests of Douglas Firs in the area that I know of. This means that they either sent out parties to harvest wood or that they traded with others tribes to obtain the resources they needed.

Based on other research, it is most likely that there was greater rainfall during the occupation of the region than currently occurs. Even with that, it must have been a hard life. It was a much slower lifestyle than what we are used to. You could get a sense of that as you walked among the ruins and hiked the trails. There were no stores, no gadgets, just what you could find or make for yourself. They grew their own crops and made their own pots, baskets, and homes. I would love to learn more about their daily life. What must it have been like to live there? I know that it is not someplace that I would want to try and live right now. I admire their ingenuity and tenacity to etch out a civilization in a region that seems so inhospitable.

During our travels to and from the Chaco Culture Center, we experienced many great encounters with other people. We talked with natives in Shiprock, visited with tourists in Arches, and shared greetings with travelers at Hovenweep. I had brought a book to read, but I was more interested in conversations in the van and getting lost in my thoughts as we made our way through the landscapes of Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. I plan to think on my adventures for many days to come and hope that they will bring new inspiration to my thoughts on teaching, art, and life.

Description of a Painting

While at the BYU MOA, I went to explore the exhibit on religious art. I really liked the various paintings and sculptures. Below is one that I really liked. Its realism is somethings that I really like in art.

This is my description:

This painting is a depiction of two virgins from the parable of the wise and foolish virgins found in the Bible. One of the virgins has a lite lamp and looks heavenward while the other has her lamp down at her side, the light having gone out, and looking downcast. Both virgins are young and attractive. They wear simple, yet elegant clothing. The background has classical architecture and stone masonry.

The medium is oil on canvas. The artist took great care in rendering the subjects. There is illusionary form achieved through chiaroscuro and modeling. There is an appearance of depth to the painting achieved through the use of one-point perspective. The folds in the fabric and the use of shadow give the impression of the subjects’ volume and body contours.

The painting rests on a blue wall in dim light with a spotlight to illuminate it. The frame is a golden color which works well with the colors used in the painting as well as the blue of the wall on which it hangs. The painting is among other religious art and includes references to scriptural passages and a brief explanation of the story being depicted. The painting was created in 1856. The artist is German. The story is a well-known parable from the Bible in which half of those who were waiting for a wedding party to come by had brought extra oil for their lamps while the other half ran out of oil.

Art 21 Artist Tara Madani

Art 21 showcases the work of many great artists who are pushing the boundaries of art and looking for ways to express themselves and their ideas. Tara Madani is an Iranian artist who seeks to juxtapose opposites, such as men and women, strive to question some of the stereotypes that exist in our modern society.

Here are some links to videos that feature Tara and her work on Art 21.

http://www.art21.org/videos/preview-tala-madani-in-season-8-of-art21-art-in-the-twenty-first-century-2016

http://www.art21.org/videos/segment-tala-madani-in-los-angeles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vocCwTsVz3s

While watching the episode that features Tala, I had many different questions or ideas pop up in my mind. Most of these questions were inspired by something she would say or do during the video. Below are the various questions I thought would be good to talk about as a way to think more deeply about the type of art that Tala makes.

Entering spaces

Entering a space where you “don’t” belong

Entering a space because you should belong

What does it mean to enter a space?

How do we enter spaces?

What is the resistance to entering a space?

The smiley as religious

What other cultural ideas are becoming “religious?”

What are some of the sources of “light” in society?

How does satire help creativity?

How do these strange images help us think about life?

What does the voice of God sound like?

Cultural difference between Iran and US stories involving kids.

What is the relationship between adults and children?

How is controlled behavior the oppressor?

How are we oppressed by social norms?

How are we oppressed by our own inhibitions?

What do our views of oppression say about our own oppression?

How are we oppressed?

How is misbehavior redemptive?

Philosophers Speak on Postmodernity

Cornel West is an activist who has spoken out on many topics. He believes race is still a huge issue in America and that white supremacy continues to define everyday life. His political views are more aligned with Marxist theories, although he considers himself a "non-Marxist socialist" due to his feelings that Marxist and Christianity are irreconcilable. His view on postmodernism is that it stems from the decentering of the world from Europe. As the world powers have changed, the ideas and notions that were once very Eurocentric have moved to different venues and thus resulted in a new ideal. Postmodernism is thus distancing itself from the past and attempting to encapsulate the new.

Bell Hooks is a black woman who is very influential in the sphere of intersectional feminist politics. She is well known for speaking out on topics of feminism and racial imagery. She offers her critique of popular culture as she attempts to help the public analyze how the media is portraying race and gender. With regards to post modernism, Hooks speaks concerning the experience of "different" or "other" felt by black people. She critiques societies perpetuation of this feeling because there are still certain things that are simply not associated with black people. She feels that although post modernism is focusing on the other, they are not doing anything to change the fact that black people are still seen as the other. They raise awareness and point fingers, but they don't offer any solutions.

Michel Foucault has been labeled as a post modernist, but he never really saw himself as that. Instead he felt that he was a critical historian of modernity. His thoughts and and ideas have been highly influential in various areas of culture. Most notably, his ideas on gender constructs and sexuality have inspired many.