What is Abstract Art? - Abstract Art Explained (Part 1)

[@missinglink9973]

Hilma af Klint who knew the first abstract artist was a woman!!! And in my opinion her images are some of the absolute best abstracts ever!!!

[@eileengoldenberg270]

More WOMEN!!!!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great works indeed! Thank you so much for tuning in and for leaving a comment. Have a nice day

[@pejamane]

preach!!!!!

[@dizmop]

do we just ignore Gustave Moreau and Turner so we can claim that a Woman was first?

[@allak8294]

It is incorrect to state that abstract art is defined via non-representational visual language. Concrete or non-objective art is the movement that uses forms with no reference to external reality, whereby abstract art also includes works with simplified representation of visual reality

[@NnaemekaAmamasi]

Simply put Abstract art is the practice of producing images according to ones own whims, which in most cases results in some quite ridiculous production. Expectedly, it has led to many non-artists picking up the brush and claiming to be artists through the production of such nonsense. Sadly this is only possible in fineart, other forms of expression like music and literature have not suffered this fate. The reason is simple, you cannot produce incoherence and call it music or literature for that matter. Look at the works of Lee Krasner for example...makes absolutely no sense. There are many others like her, who cant paint but are in love with the idea of being classed as artists.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Dear Emeka, interesting comment and comparison. There is a lot of crap in abstract art. But so is there in figurative art. The art world filters the pretenders and showcases the ones that actually have something to say. When there is a clear lack of technicality, originality, continuity, consistency, and overall quality, many experienced art collector, critic, gallerist, or enthusiast will notice this.

[@waynekasmar4401]

I've done what you've said and looked at some of Lee Krasner's paintings. At the very least they're relatively good work.

[@thomashilmersen711]

Stellar video. How about a special episode on Abstract Photography. There have been many interesting contributors in this field.

[@contemporaryartissue]

What a wonderful suggestion! I have written down the topic for a future article and video, thank you very much!

[@DragonKnight401]

A wonderful and informative video on abstract art. It’s improved my understanding and appreciation for abstract art and in turn will improve my own art dealing with abstraction.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi Steve, that's great to hear! Thank you for tuning in and for taking the time to write this comment. Have a great day!

[@deepashtray5605]

A good piece of art dissolves the barrier between the conscious and subconscious brain.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great quote!

[@deepashtray5605]

@@contemporaryartissue Thank you. Seems to me it almost qualifies as axiomatic, but in the 45 years I've been fascinated with art I don't recall anyone explicitly pointing that out.

[@Moodboard39]

@@deepashtray5605 yea

[@michellef.554]

Thank you for sharing 💞 Love how your dog is so relaxed 😌 💕 Watching from Eastern North Carolina ❤

[@contemporaryartissue]

She was very relaxed indeed, we just had a nice walk in the park :-) Greetings from Belgium!

[@vicentejouclas2518]

Your comparison between visual and musical arts helped a lot in understanding the topic.

[@contemporaryartissue]

That's great to hear, thank you so much for tuning in!

[@vrejtamazian524]

I love the works of my compatriot ARSHILE GORKY. 😁🤟

[@contemporaryartissue]

He's terrific for sure!

[@rashone2879]

Ah, the intellectual elitists must explain art to us stupid peons….NO, I say, let the viewer experience a work of art and be drawn to it, find it interesting and pleasing….if you have to explain a piece of art, then the creator FAILED. Most abstract art is shallow, hard edged, dark and ugly. Is that representative of of our current world? Wealthy artist’s work hangs in wealthy people;s galleries and rich people attend the openings, sipping wine, smirking , and patting each other on the back for their elitist “understanding” of the cold, geometric garbage called art.

[@contemporaryartissue]

I agree abstract artworks do not need to be explained. But in the end this a channel where we talk about art. So this does not imply the works need to be explained at all. The ironic thing is these comments go both ways. When the artist does not want to explain his/her abstract works and wants to let them speak for themselves, some will say it is because they are about nothing. And when they do explain their works, then the same people state an artwork fails when it needs an explanation... If it's not your cup of tea, that is fine. But respect the art and the artists nevertheless.

[@gavinreid2741]

But most art required explanation. How many people these days understand the compositions of say Delacroix or David?

[@seraphim6245]

@@contemporaryartissue Then don’t sell it to people for money

[@wolf7379]

What is abstract art? Crap. Modern Art: When the description requires more effort and skill than the art itself.

[@ronimogy1133]

All the modern arts represent lost souls, lost history , and uncertainty about being a human.

[@treezydcm]

I love the way your dog looks at you when you do your videos. Abstract art is my thing, what I like and I like to paint. Your comparison with music is just so true, it's like music to my eyes. Looking forward to the second chapter of this series.

[@contemporaryartissue]

She's the star of these videos for sure! Happy to hear you enjoyed the video, chapter 2 is coming up on Sunday. Chat soon!

[@rron5641]

Art must be complicated and hard to make in order for it to be art. Complex things are better than simple things. You can't just make something that's simple and not complicated. Only complicated things are beautiful. Realism is very hard and complicated so it's the most beautiful form of art. Abstract art is simple and easy to do some it't the worst form of art. Why are people spending millions of dollars are art. They should be spending millions of dollars buying complicated things like sports cars and sneakers. It's kinda like when people make simple food with only a couple of ingredients; it just cannot be good. If you make food it has too super complex and use hundreds of ingredients in order that it tastes good. Simple food is just plain bad. If someone offers me food that has fewer than 50 ingredient I scoff and laugh in their face. Simpletons is what I call them. They are unable to appreciate complicated food that has double digit ingredient numbers. Same goes with painting. People who enjoy abstract art are unable to appreciate very complicated pieces of art. Take that "modern art" LOL. I bet you feel dumb haha.

[@DiegoXRA]

I really don't like to say this but I don't think you understand art . Art is just expression of human imagination. That's it . Human imagination isn't limited by reality and abstract art represents that . Learning to do realistic art is actually easier because you have rules and guides to follow . Some of the best artist that's why didn't stick to just realism . Cause it limits their imagination . For abstract art you first need to know the rules then break them in a way you find the correct look you are searching for . Because abstract is human imagination not limited by reality it's actually more complicated then realistic art . It's hard to imagine something that conveys something going beyond real life and then put that image into a canvas . Whereas realistic art follows real life logic which is easy to understand and comprehend .

[@CarolineVisArtGallery]

Thank you friendly.

[@contemporaryartissue]

The pleasure is mine, thank you for watching!

[@lisengel2498]

I really love the way your dog is present and communicates with you while you talk … it somehow demonstrates that reality is always multidimensionel …. Its about what attracts our attention? Why we are interested? And art is a way of communicating about what we want to share ? It has to do with Human experience and Human expression - and it is always more than just information - its deep experience of a lived now …. And experience is our key to Life ❤

[@contemporaryartissue]

Absolutely Lis, well put to words. Greetings both from me and my dog Perrier. Have a great day!

[@manuelfranciscorojasbarra2165]

Hi Dear friend¡¡¡..Thanks so much for your explanation and for sharing your knowledge about abstract paint concepts, history and important painters. So, just a I would like ask you if you know about Chilean Abstract Surrealism painter, his name was Roberto Matta Echaurren. His work was very interesting, perhaps you could talk about him in a next video. Im sure its gonna be interesting for all your followers..🖐🇨🇱

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi Manuel, thank you for your kind words and great suggestion. Take care!

[@msd5808]

It can seem that abstract art requires the most explaining, which means it communicates the least on its own.

[@contemporaryartissue]

On the contrary, think of Mark Rothko's quote talking about his art; "Silence is so accurate." The less we talk about it, the stronger the experience.

[@shabbantrillionslukenge535]

Great am from Uganda, Africa.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you! Greetings from Belgium

[@souldreamer9056]

Thanks for attempting to explain abstract art. I’ve tried to understand it and no other videos have given me a satisfying explanation. I hope this series will be the one to help me understand.

[@contemporaryartissue]

I hope so too, thank you for watching, and stay tuned for next week's video. Have a great day!

[@NnaemekaAmamasi]

Attempting to understand Abstract art is an insult on your intellect. To put it frankly Abstract art is nonsense!

[@vicentejouclas2518]

I will attend your talk 2 or more times, thanks! Through it I discover that there was no "spark out of nowhere" to awaken Hilma Af Klint's abstract poetry, but a succession of times and circumstances before and after her gaze.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Absolutely, spot on! Thank you so much for tuning in as always!

[@jamesdaniels3699]

Very informative,ty. Is pour paint considered abstract or something else? I've had some success with pour paint on mostly a16x20. I've sold a few, people tend to like my stuff. I use a blow dryer to move the paint around or till the picture until I get to the edge.I also use silicone mixed in the paint creating cells.

[@JanKloevekorn]

I like the comparison to music. I often experience that people feel offended by abstract painting. They sense a fraud. But that's only because of incredible sums are paid for some paintings. Then, on the other hand, a great intellectual magic is spread over the works (rarely by the artists themselves), reminiscent of the fairy tale: the king's new clothes. The factual nature of the exhibition in the museum also stands in the way of an unbiased view. That's why the comparison with music is so good. That's how you should approach a work. With a pleasure in seeing and with an open mind. The painting doesn't want to sell anything, it just wants to be looked at.

[@stephenkerensky710]

I`m sorry but I think abstract art has run its course. SOme of it is excellent and can be moving but there does not appear to be any focus on what life is like now. If I want to see a block of colour, I`d rather spend a hour with Dulux catalogue than go to a gallery featuring Mark Rothko. As for Jackson Pollock, a theatre director showed me a picture of him dribbling white onto a canvas and told me what matttered was his involvement. What pretentious nonsense!

[@vicentejouclas2518]

Listening to you, in the passage that talks about prints and woven patterns, I was reminded of Africa and its geometric and sensual patterns.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Yes, another great example of abstraction before abstract art

[@stilesthissell]

Im so happy to be educated in the history of what I am doing

[@contemporaryartissue]

That's great to hear! Thank you for tuning in

[@Heckerschee]

Great video!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you!

[@radioactivedetective6876]

I had to replay the first few seconds at least 5 times, each time realising I had been too occupied noticing the assistant director to actually listen to the narration!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hahaha! She's the star of every video, don't mind me babbling about art :-) Best assistant director in the world!

[@gardeniainbloom812]

Looking forward to the rest in the series.

[@contemporaryartissue]

That's great to hear, thank you for tuning in!

[@gerrylk9]

No, he's wrong, man has been producing abstract art sense we've been here. Only the word abstract is new.

[@CSchaeken]

That is a beautifully assembled video, thank you! 👍👍

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you Christine!

[@RealLifeMassMultiplayerRPG]

its easy and hard. i have about 2000+ abstract drawing over 40 years. It only get simplier. it only get harder. How extremly condensed it get, how extremply simple it get. End up with 'entire universe is abstract art" and "not doing art at all is abstract art" then middle back to "somethign pleasant to maybe enjoy with other emotion than pleasing ones" I like adding details on details (digital abstract) then i zoom in and add detaisl on details of detaisl... the zoomed out picture end up being a book with tons of story. im not sure the wording of that specific style i know "where is charly" do a bit similar.

[@KokiKokimemon]

Awww i love your puppy bro mines name is bambi yours name of lab excellence personified your speech makes me follow your guidelines i must say this is really improving my understanding of soundful art🎉

[@peerjee]

Love it. To me, moment something is put on a canvas is an abstraction, some are easy to tingle your brain, others need some nudging, history, context. Looking forward to subsequent parts

[@contemporaryartissue]

Happy to hear you enjoyed the video. Thank you for tuning in and chat later!

[@daveblood00]

Dog: I like realism. Imma lay down.

[@contemporaryartissue]

😂😂😂

[@rabbitgregory9289]

“In the end, art has always been about putting the right things in the right places.” This statement doesn’t clarify anything about art to me. But that’s okay.

[@gwincheese]

Why some abstract art are so expensive compared to other abstract art if the logic and reason making the artwork is exactly the same?

[@gavinreid2741]

The canvas is bigger and more paint is used.

[@contemporaryartissue]

We tackle this topic in the following video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epbHen2ehqaKq5Y feel free to have a look!

[@SucceedwithaccentCa]

Great video production. "Abstract art is degenerative art" one famous person said :)

[@ivanetewolstoncroft8733]

Hi I am an abstract artist in USA where may I find an agent in your country. Regards

[@joshtetzlaff171]

love your vids so much info thanks

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you so much!

[@artbelievable1537]

I love abstract art...nice video

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for tuning in!

[@desertportal353]

Really appreciate your overview here. Thanks.

[@contemporaryartissue]

The pleasure is all mine, thank you for tuning in!

[@edland8778]

Thanks again for a stunning short summary. Thanks for making this video and greetings from Zurich

[@contemporaryartissue]

The pleasure is all mine, thank you so much for tuning in!

[@1Ma9iN8tive]

Mimesis is as old as the cave paintings. The oldest known cave painting in Europe is a red hand stencil in Maltravieso cave, Cáceres, Spain. It has been dated using the uranium-thorium method to older than 64,000 years and was made by a Neanderthal. The oldest known examples of abstract art, however, are generally from younger sites that post-date 42,000 years ago, such as Chauvet (~32,000 years old) and Maros (~39,000 years old). The third art movement “Materiality” is as old as the first human species employing natural material resources in technical crafting processes to create tools, clothes, cultural paraphernalia and physical hunting aids that advantaged their occupation of their geography. Now researchers say they have found some of the earliest evidence of humans using clothing in a cave in Morocco, with the discovery of bone tools and bones from skinned animals suggesting the practice dates back at least 120,000 years.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Very interesting historical perspective! Thank you for sharing and thank you for tuning in

[@carolcox9443]

Bravo 👏.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you Carol!

[@timdanyo898]

I am so thankful for the abstract art trail blazers who cut pathways for new expressions, representations and communications!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Agreed! Thank you Tim

[@dizmop]

I appreciate abstract art but it gave birth to the idea that anyone can do it which led to an ongoing plethora of talentless people whose work cannot be critiqued because it's understood and claimed by the creators to be 'Abstract'

[@vicentejouclas2518]

Well said words, yours! On the way to abstraction, one could not leave out the incredible painter William Turner, who seems to have been getting carried away with the movement and voluptuousness of the world!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Absolutely! Love his work!

[@grozdavranic6972]

Very Professional explonation...Thank you for sharing...

[@JumeoniArt]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏👏👏🤗

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you for tuning in!

[@DanielLopes-jt8yl]

No matter how old or young. These musings and insights are great. For older folks a light goes on in a room not visited for a time. To the youngsters perhaps they enter a room never visited- flip the light switch on and wow! Great stuff always edited to avoid a tedious history lesson. Rather something that stirs the creative spark of thought in all of us. Wonderful video’s straight forward, professionally direct and keenly scripted with a touch of warmth! Will take a look in the coming weeks at the Patron for creators also your Patron. Seeing if these things fit for me professionally. I’m not a starving artist but I’m not a fat one either. My goodness “much to much” art out there for us with lots of talent but not enough genius to prosper!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi Daniel, thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate you! Wishing you all the best!

[@SweetArt360]

Do you've a FB art page? I'd like to check out your work. 😊

[@MollyPetrescu86]

Thanks for a great video…so enjoyable and informative.

[@contemporaryartissue]

The pleasure is all mine. Thank you for tuning in!

[@random.oddities]

That dog 🥰

[@contemporaryartissue]

She's the best!

[@user-ob9zo9cr4c]

great

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@HunnidBandJuggs]

This was so nice! Emerging self taught artists And just artists in general need to see more Chanel’s like this. You did yo damn thang!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Hi there, thank you so much for tuning in and for your appreciative words!

[@iga279]

what's there to explain? It's like explaining a homeless' turd on a San Francisco street.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Feel free to make a video series like this on that turd!

[@designbystars]

Hilma af Klimt

[@contemporaryartissue]

She's great!

[@heidisteffens2818]

Oh, kannst du irgendwie die deutsche Übersetzung hinzufügen? My englisch is too bad. I love this so much, but I cannot understand all. Thank you so much. Greating from germany

[@contemporaryartissue]

Dear Heidi, thank you for tuning in. KZbin provides auto-generated subtitles if you select your language at the bottom right of the video player. Have a great day!

[@pharaohphaneros4930]

Abstract art means nothing, except in the eye of the beholder. Read that again.

[@contemporaryartissue]

Possibly applicable to all art. Thank you for tuning in Pharaoh!

[@lottewied1937]

So absolutely informative. Thank you!

[@contemporaryartissue]

The pleasure is mine; thank you for watching!

[@brown1799]

And you call this art?????????

[@yogitagaddam8592]

Did you just copied content off from 'the art's hole' channel'

[@contemporaryartissue]

I am unfamiliar with the art channel in question, so the answer is most definitely no. All our content is first written for contemporaryartissue.com before making a video version of our articles here for KZbin. Thank you for tuning in!

[@vicentejouclas2518]

Valeu!

[@contemporaryartissue]

You are the best!

[@vicentejouclas2518]

Valeu!

[@contemporaryartissue]

Thank you Vicente!

[@anthonydimichele837]

Twombly? a no-talent con artist! So many of these "artists" are cons.

[@waynekasmar4401]

I personally think Twombly was talented. Are you able to convince me he wasn't?

[@frankies3201]

u should change the set up so that you're not looking down at the camera

[@contemporaryartissue]

That's great feedback, thank you!

[@vicentejouclas2518]

Valeu!

[@contemporaryartissue]

🙌

[@jan-martinulvag1953]

The Black painting is not a painting and its not abstract art

[@contemporaryartissue]

I am curious, why not?

[@KokiKokimemon]

✨️

[@KokiKokimemon]

😏

[@SkywalkerPaul]

Modern abstract art was the AI art of those times

[@DiegoXRA]

Quite the opposite. Unlike traditional art through modern art artist can express their imagination without the limitations of realty and what's normal . It's the extreme form of human expressionism . Which is the exact opposite of AI .

[@jordanfalkowski6924]

I make things out of combinations of items that I can access. I think has funny artistic views. Its kinda like seeing that new flat screen on top of an old floor console tv knowing there will be someone who asks why not get rid of that and get a nice cabinet.

[@Droxen222]

It's not.

[@maskdaniel]

mim 'ma' sis

[@oama2009]

How does your dog get you to make a youtube video ?

[@contemporaryartissue]

She's too cute!

[@gavinyates9189]

Marble and some rocks are the beginning of seeing beauty in abstract art 🎨

[@contemporaryartissue]

Great comment!

[@ElmwoodParkHulk]

The dog keeps yawning

[@contemporaryartissue]

Apparently, my presentation was not as interesting as our afternoon walks... Thank you for tuning in, greetings from the both of us

[@cassandraxxl8973]

Compared with the paintings of Renaissance or the Impessionists for example, abstract art is so much faster done. It doesn't take many weeks or months, you can do it in some days or even in some hours.

[@contemporaryartissue]

As studies have shown this is also the case with some Renaissance paintings and especially with Impressionist paintings. A lot of work does not equal great art-sometimes, art that was made spontaneously can be more powerful, showing the artist's virtuosity and skill

[@gesudinazaret9259]

And?

[@iridescentsquids]

Hard not to wonder whether abstract art wasn't always around in various ways. I understand the concept as an outgrowth of modern art, but we have, for instance, earliest forms of art in the form of cross hatch patterns, which probably then developed into both visual representation (or RE representation) and simply references (stylized as if an early language). That means your concept of "abstract art" is mostly meaningful as a movement following a long period of defining art as having a strictly visual/ phenomenological foundation. The point of a lot of modern art that starts to embrace abstraction as you call it is not so much to dare to not be representational, but to remind us that art is not strictly phenomenological in an objective sense. That's why pointillism, for instance, is still hyper-rooted in color and value. And cubism is, even in it's most analytical phases, representing and referencing. It's no coincidence that science at the time (starting in the mid to late 1800's) was grappling with relativistic concepts of "knowing" and "truth" and what "naturalism" was. The prior times that highly valued idyllic forms of representation, as if there was an objective, true form of accuracy to be painting or sculpted, was actually the aberration. This idea of "abstraction" was mostly a shedding of this assumption that didn't always exist.

[@contemporaryartissue]

That is very well put into words. Abstraction was always around, and it was rediscovered in traditional art forms at the start of the previous century. I believe art historiography played an important role here, starting with Vasari up to the academies in the 19th century

[@iridescentsquids]

@@contemporaryartissue it is interesting how western art balances various concepts of imitating nature with ideas about each artists personal genius. Vasari really embraced and promoted that framework, and in a weird way it persisted--maybe got amplified- with modern art. Artists like cezanne or as late as maybe pollack, are processed art historically as personal geniuses finding new ways to imitate nature. Abstraction can be seen as a way to keep this tradition fresh in keeping with science and new more relativistic concepts of how nature works. The shift is not so much along that core value (genius connected to nature) as what creative mechanisms the genius revealed to the perpetually stagnating art world as a whole. This cycle of reawakening, shedding the past for new frontiers, new genius, is an interesting western ambition that I bethink goes all the way back to Donatello and Michelangelo. I think there’s a transition between those two artists that solidifies the core of even abstract art that was to come. I’m thinking, in contrast, to the way Chinese painters embraced both personal genius and imitation of nature, but consumed their art history almost to a point of stagnation, attempting to imitate over and over the genius of past great innovators, rather than embark on new kinds of innovations. Something in Chinese culture did not consistently support breaking traditional orbits for the sake of personal genius. In further contrast iconography like European religious art, a lot of African art, Buddhist sculpture and paintings…The artist is barely remembered. Somehow that I don’t understand certain visual languages for “imitation” got popularized to a point that “abstraction” became an idea unto itself. I’ll have to think on that. But even hero’s of non representation like Mondrian were intimately connected to this idea of discovering truths about nature, albeit with a heavy dose of phenomenology that was a great platform for conceptual and even pop art much later.

[@amirlatifim]

Simply awesome.

[@Alexander-rq9he]

YES…it is the emperor’s new clothes. It does not follow the (spiritual) laws of design. Art requires adherence to these laws and much study. Transfer the absence of these requirements to the piano and imagine what a horrible cacophony would result. Then imagine everyone calling it music! LMFAO! 🤣🤮

[@contemporaryartissue]

Sounds like you are talking about Jazz?

[@RoopaDudleyPaintings]

The joy that figurative and representative art brings is not the same when it comes to abstract scribbles or thrown paint on a huge canvas.

[@contemporaryartissue]

It is not, and does not have to be, everyone's cup of tea of course. Thank you for tuning in anyway!

[@Docsbygaz]

Abstract art makes it difficult and boring - Uncommon thoughts

[@graphguy]

a waste of time

[@karapana8398]

abstract art is idiotie

[@dragonshadow1902]

Abstract art is the ability to bs rich people out of exhorbent amount of money for something made by someone with no real talent. Example: Banana taped to drywall.

[@gavinreid2741]

The banana is not abstract art. It is clearly a banana. Many amateur artists create abstract art, yours for just a few dollars.

[@ihatetheinternetitsawesome3578]

❤