Episode 93: Abstract Expressionism “I Could Have Done That! (But you didn’t)”

Abstract Expressionism is an art movement that developed after World War II in the United States and is considered the first American art movement to become an international art movement. 

According the Oxford University Press, Abstract Expressionism is, “interpreted as an especially ‘American’ style because of its attention to the physical immediacy of paint; it has also been seen as a continuation of the Romantic tradition of the Sublime". 

During this time, in the 1940's and 1950's, science and psychology are changing. Quantum Mechanics and psychoanalysis begin to change people's perceptions of the world. How a person feels is important, and this is something that is very evident in Abstract Expressionism.

Pollock, One: Number 31, 1950, MoMA

Franz Kline, Black Reflections, 1959

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/64.146

Paul Klee, Ancient Sound, Abstract on Black, 1925

Seon-Jeong Kim, Abstract Art 221

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/seonjeong-kim.html

Seon-Jeong Kim said:

“I start my day from wondering what I painted on the previous day.

I end up my day feeling alive and achieved.

I paint my frustration, illusions, former existence, and transience of life.

I do not know where my mind is going.

I do not know what my painting will be.

Later, I see a path and it begins to shape my feelings.

Today, I go on this lonely journey to simplify my spirit.

I paint to free myself. I paint what I like.

If anybody feels the same way I do through my art, I will feel fulfilled. “

Come back next Wednesday to listen to our Valentine's Day episode on Arts & Facts Top 10 Smooches with Julia and Jo!

Have a great week everyone, and please, let us know what you think of Abstract Expressionism!

Episode 57: Mark Rothko

Mark Rothko was an Abstract Expressionist painter, who in his later career, focused on color and luminosity in his work. He was inspired by the way children could communicate their reality in simple visual images.  Listen to the podcast to learn more about this remarkable man.

Rothko, The Omen of the Eagle, 1942

Rothko, Number 10, 1950

Rothko, Number 14, 1960

Rothko, Untitled, 1968

Rothko Chapel, Houston Texas, USA

The following links were very helpful resources for researching Mark Rothko.

http://www.nga.gov/feature/rothko/intro1.shtm

http://www.markrothko.org/

Next weeks episode will be our St. Patrick's Day special, Celtic Art. 

Episode 31: Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock makes for an interesting artist to start a discussion of the value of art. As an abstract expressionist, Pollock created gigantic paintings that incorporated his "Jack the Dripper" style.

Lavender Mist, 1950

Pollock's work method

While Pollock was a trained artist, these paintings were done with experimental medium... particularly house paints and cardborad. Not so great for archiving, Pollock. Still, there was a Pollock that sold for $50 million dollars...

In step Teri Horton. This 73 year old trucker found a "Jackson Pollock" for five dollars at the thrift store. Since then, she's been trying to get the painting authenticated.

While she's received offers in the millions already, she's looking for the big 50 in the front of all those zeros and half the art world agree that she has, indeed, found a Jackson Pollock.

What do you think? Pollock or Knock off?