🎨American Art – 1945 to Present Unit 1 – Abstract Expressionism

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Abstract Expressionism a post-World War II art movement in American painting characterized by spontaneous, gestural brush strokes or mark-making and the impression of spontaneity
• Action painting a style of painting in which paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed or smeared onto the canvas, rather than being carefully applied (Jackson Pollock)
• Color Field painting a style of abstract painting characterized by large fields of flat, solid color spread across or stained into the canvas (Mark Rothko)
• The Sublime a quality of greatness or vastness that inspires awe, often associated with the power and expansiveness of nature
• Automatism a method of art-making in which the artist suppresses conscious control over the making process, allowing the unconscious mind to have great sway (André Masson)
  • Surrealist automatism was a precursor to the spontaneous, subconscious approach of many Abstract Expressionists
• Jungian psychology explored the collective unconscious, a concept that influenced the archetypal imagery and universal themes in Abstract Expressionist works
• New York School a term often used synonymously with Abstract Expressionism, referring to a group of artists based in New York City during the 1940s and 1950s

Historical Context and Origins

• Emerged in the 1940s in New York City following World War II amidst a climate of anxiety and trauma
• Influenced by European avant-garde movements like Surrealism and abstraction, which many artists encountered firsthand as expatriates fled to New York during WWII
  • Surrealist emphasis on automatism and the subconscious was particularly influential
• Rejection of traditionalism and figuration in favor of abstraction, spontaneity, and individual expression
• Benefited from the support of influential art critics like Clement Greenberg and Harold Rosenberg, who championed the movement
• Coincided with the rise of New York City as the new center of the Western art world, shifting away from Paris
• Reflected the post-war disillusionment and search for new forms of expression in a rapidly changing world
• Influenced by Existentialist philosophy and its emphasis on individual freedom and authenticity

Major Artists and Their Works

• Jackson Pollock known for his drip paintings, which he created by placing the canvas on the floor and pouring, dripping, and splattering paint onto it (Number 1, 1948)
• Willem de Kooning blended abstraction and figuration in his energetic, gestural paintings, often featuring distorted female figures (Woman I)
• Mark Rothko known for his Color Field paintings, featuring large, luminous rectangles of color that evoke a sense of spirituality and the sublime (No. 61 (Rust and Blue))
• Franz Kline created large-scale, black-and-white abstract paintings characterized by bold, gestural brushstrokes (Chief)
• Robert Motherwell known for his Elegy to the Spanish Republic series, which features large, black forms against white backgrounds (Elegy to the Spanish Republic No. 110)
• Lee Krasner developed a unique style of abstraction characterized by rhythmic, all-over compositions and a strong use of color (Untitled)
• Barnett Newman explored the concept of the sublime through his "zip" paintings, featuring vertical lines dividing large color fields (Vir Heroicus Sublimis)

Techniques and Styles

• Action painting emphasized the physical act of painting, with artists using gestural, spontaneous brushstrokes and drips to create dynamic compositions (Pollock)
  • Often involved placing the canvas on the floor and moving around it, engaging the whole body in the painting process
• Color Field painting focused on large areas of flat, solid color, often achieved through staining the canvas or applying thin layers of paint (Rothko)
  • Aimed to create a sense of immersion and evoke emotional or spiritual responses in the viewer
• Large-scale canvases were common, allowing for expansive, immersive compositions that envelop the viewer
• Experimentation with non-traditional materials like house paint, enamel, and aluminum paint to achieve unique textures and effects
• Emphasis on the flatness of the picture plane and the two-dimensionality of the canvas, rejecting illusionistic depth
• All-over composition, with no single focal point or hierarchy, creating a sense of unity and wholeness
• Spontaneous, improvisational approach to painting, often without preliminary sketches or planning

Philosophical and Cultural Influences

• Existentialism emphasized individual freedom, authenticity, and the search for meaning in a chaotic, absurd world
  • Abstract Expressionists sought to express their inner emotions and psyche through spontaneous, authentic creative acts
• Jungian psychology and the concept of the collective unconscious inspired artists to tap into universal archetypes and symbols
• Zen Buddhism and Eastern philosophy influenced the emphasis on spontaneity, intuition, and the unity of art and life
• Primitivism and the interest in non-Western art forms, particularly African and Native American art, inspired the use of archetypal symbols and mythic imagery
• Post-war disillusionment and the atomic age created a sense of anxiety and alienation that artists sought to express through their work
• The rise of mass media and consumer culture led to a rejection of traditional, representational art in favor of abstraction and individual expression
• The Cold War and the ideological battle between capitalism and communism made Abstract Expressionism a symbol of American freedom and individualism

Impact on American Art Scene

• Shifted the center of the art world from Paris to New York City, establishing the United States as a major force in the international art scene
• Challenged traditional notions of art-making and the role of the artist, emphasizing individual expression and spontaneity over skill and technique
• Influenced the rise of art criticism and theory, with critics like Clement Greenberg and Harold Rosenberg playing a crucial role in shaping the discourse around Abstract Expressionism
• Paved the way for later movements like Color Field painting, Neo-Dada, and Minimalism, which built upon the ideas and techniques of Abstract Expressionism
• Contributed to the growing market for American art and the rise of the mega-gallery system, with dealers like Betty Parsons and Sidney Janis promoting Abstract Expressionist artists
• Influenced the development of art education in the United States, with many Abstract Expressionists teaching at major universities and art schools
• Became a symbol of American cultural dominance and soft power during the Cold War, with the CIA secretly promoting Abstract Expressionism as a weapon against Soviet Realism

Critical Reception and Debates

• Initially met with skepticism and derision from some critics and the public, who found the abstract, non-representational works difficult to understand or appreciate
• Clement Greenberg championed Abstract Expressionism as the pinnacle of modernist painting, emphasizing the flatness of the picture plane and the purity of the medium
  • Greenberg's formalist approach focused on the visual elements of the work rather than its content or meaning
• Harold Rosenberg coined the term "action painting" and emphasized the existential, performative aspect of the creative process
  • Rosenberg's approach prioritized the artist's subjective experience and the act of painting itself
• Debates arose over the role of content and meaning in Abstract Expressionist works, with some critics arguing that the emphasis on form and gesture neglected the social and political dimensions of art
• Questions of gender and racial representation emerged, with the movement dominated by white male artists and often characterized by a masculine, heroic ethos
• The commodification of Abstract Expressionist works and their incorporation into the market system led to critiques of the movement's supposed anti-establishment stance
• Later post-modern and conceptual art movements reacted against the perceived self-indulgence and lack of social engagement in Abstract Expressionism

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• Established abstraction as a major force in American art, paving the way for later movements like Color Field painting, Minimalism, and Neo-Expressionism
• Influenced the development of gestural, process-oriented approaches to art-making across various media, including sculpture, performance art, and digital art
• Contributed to the growing internationalization of the art world and the exchange of ideas and influences across cultures
• Challenged traditional notions of skill, technique, and the role of the artist, emphasizing individual expression and the creative process over the finished product
• Continues to inspire contemporary artists who engage with themes of spontaneity, subjectivity, and the exploration of the subconscious
• Remains a subject of ongoing scholarly research and debate, with new perspectives emerging on issues of gender, race, and politics in relation to the movement
• Has become a canonical part of art history education and is widely represented in major museum collections and exhibitions worldwide
• Continues to influence popular culture and aesthetics, with Abstract Expressionist-inspired designs appearing in fields like fashion, graphic design, and home decor