Lesson 3.4: Abstract and Surrealism

Abstract Art is art that isn’t trying to depict something from the actual world. Abstract art uses different shapes, forms, colors, and textures to create a unique piece of art. It’s the pure imagination of the artist.

Abstract Art

Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Kandinsky was a pioneering Russian painter and art theorist known for his pivotal role in the development of abstract art. He was born on December 4, 1866, in Moscow, Russia. Kandinsky initially pursued a career in law and economics but later shifted his focus to art, studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich, Germany.Kandinsky's early works were influenced by Russian folk art and Impressionism, but he soon became fascinated with the expressive potential of color and form. He believed that art should evoke emotion and spiritual experiences, leading him to develop his distinctive style of abstract painting.

The Creator

Kandinsky

Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism was a mid-20th-century art movement characterized by spontaneous, gestural painting techniques and an emphasis on the expression of emotion, often through large-scale, non-representational canvases. Jackson Pollock was a pivotal figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement, renowned for his innovative "drip painting" technique, which involved pouring and splattering paint onto canvas to create dynamic, non-representational compositions that captured the energy and movement of the artist's gestures.

Dreamlike Imagery: Surrealist artworks often depict bizarre, irrational scenes that resemble dreams or hallucinations, with unexpected juxtapositions of objects and fantastical landscapes.Automatism: Surrealist artists often employed automatism, a technique where the artist allows their subconscious mind to dictate the creative process, resulting in spontaneous, free-flowing compositions.

Features of Surrealistic Art

Salvador Dalí was a Spanish surrealist artist known for his eccentric personality and groundbreaking artworks that explored the realms of dreams, subconscious desires, and the human psyche. Born on May 11, 1904, in Figueres, Catalonia, Dalí showed an early talent for art and attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. He quickly gained recognition for his surrealistic paintings, characterized by their meticulous detail, bizarre imagery, and dreamlike landscapes.

Surrealism

René Magritte was a Belgian surrealist artist renowned for his thought-provoking and enigmatic paintings that challenged viewers' perceptions of reality. Born on November 21, 1898, in Lessines, Belgium, Magritte initially worked in commercial art before fully committing to his artistic career. He is best known for his precise, realistic style combined with unexpected juxtapositions and transformations of ordinary objects. Magritte's iconic works often feature elements such as bowler-hatted men, floating objects, and obscured faces, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue.

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Vladimir Kush is a contemporary Russian-born surrealist artist recognized for his imaginative and poetic paintings that blend elements of fantasy, realism, and metaphor. Born on March 1, 1965, in Moscow, Russia, Kush initially trained as a classical artist before developing his unique style, which he refers to as "metaphorical realism."Kush's artworks often feature dreamlike landscapes, fantastical creatures, and symbolic imagery that invite viewers into a world of wonder and contemplation. He employs meticulous detail and vibrant colors to create visually stunning compositions that evoke emotions and provoke thought.