Lesson 7

Concepts of Abstraction

* Abstraction from Nature

Art that uses forms and colors which are drawn
from nature by simplifying forms,
and/or intensifying colors
* Pure Abstraction ...
Non-objective Art /Art without objects,
from the German gegenstandslos
Art that uses forms and colors which do not
depict recognizable objects

Kandinsky and Apocalypse (Wood, p. 242)

Apocalypse: revelation of the Last Things:
end of the world ...
Sources: New Testament "Revelation"
Elements: End of days; Divine power defeats Satan;
Earth and heaven renewed; Second coming; All
Saints resurrected (one thousand years); After years,
earth/heaven vanish; Second, Great
Resurrection; Angel summon chosen ones; New Earth
Kandinsky, Composition VII
Do you think it is useful to look for objects in paintings such as this one, in order to
understand then better? Motivate your answer.
* Yes, it is useful to look for objects ...

* In order to understand the artist (Kandinsky) one

must recognize the semiology (study of signs) in
his work.

* Kandinsky wanted to 'affect the world by having

an impact on the human soul'
"his art was the means to his end" (p. 245)
(abstraction from human nature)

* Teodor de Wyzewa, symbolist critic

'emotional value independent of objects
themselves which were being
represented'

* Albert Aurier
emotive (to arouse intense feeling)
transcendental (spiritual or non physical
realm)
'making [the] soul tremble before [a]
pulsing drama of the abstractions'

* Counter: Meyer Schapiro (Marxist historian)

"development of abstract art is essentially
immaterial"
'the viewer of abstract art contemplates
his enjoyment, value and
beauties of form and color' (pure
abstraction)
However, in order to understand (i.e. perceive the
intended meaning or infer from information
received) the viewer contemplates his enjoyment not
only from form and color
but also in context of the artist's intent ...
to affect the viewer's human soul.

ver i si mil i tude - (n.) a loosening of the connection

between the lines, forms and colors of
painting and the objects that the painting
represents;
the appearance of being true or
real