Carl Andre building “Cedar Piece,” 1964
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Aesthetic Genre Studies (Foundation 3D)

The Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter)
Fig. 1. The Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter) by Wassily Kandinsky, 1903

Expressionism.

is an artistic style in which the artist seeks to depict the world as he/she felt rather than how it looked. The representation of reality is not objective but often filled with flattened forms, vivid colors, and distorted views in order to “express” their own emotions, feelings, and idealization.

Suicide by George Grosz, 1916
Fig. 2. Suicide (Selbstmörder) by George Grosz, 1916 © DACS, 2020 (Intense strong colors, extreme angles, flattened forms, and distorted with e)
Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia Von Harden (1927), by Otto Dix
Fig. 3. Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia Von Harden by Otto Dix, (1927) (Strong vivid colors, form exaggeration (left-hand), distorted face, and flattened figure)

Associated History & Influences.

Expressionism, as a movement, denotes from the late-19th century, early-20th century schools of emotive or interpretive art, which emerged mainly in Germany and Paris as a reaction to the more passive style of Impressionism. It is believed to have made its debut in 1905. At this time, artists in Germany were responding to two important yet dissimilar phenomena: the prevalence and popularity of Impressionism and the seemingly chaotic state of the world in the years leading up to World War I.

Galerie Arnold Die Bruecke September 1910
Fig. 4. Exhibition of the german expressionist group “Die Brücke” in the Galerie Ernst Arnold in Dresden, 1910

Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and James Ensor proved particularly influential to the Expressionists, encouraging the distortion of form and the deployment of strong colors to convey a variety of anxieties and yearnings.

Anxiety by Edvard Munch, 1894
Fig. 5. Anxiety by Edvard Munch, 1894
(Vivid and contrasting sky colors, distorted faces, flatten forms, expression of intensity, and evokes curiosity)
Vincent van Gogh - Zelfportret, 1887
Fig. 6. Vincent van Gogh – Zelfportret by Vincent van Gogh, 1887
(Vivid colors, flatten forms, grass-like surroundings, portrait angle, and spontaneous brushwork)

Minimalism.

is an art movement that is often interpreted as a reaction against abstract expressionism and modernism; it anticipated contemporary postminimal art practices, which extend or reflect on minimalism’s original objectives. Minimalism is a tool for you in finding freedom. Minimalism is defined as an art, design, or style in which the simplest and minimal elements are used to create the effect.

Minimalist Interior Design
Fig. 7. Minimalist interior design (Clean aesthetic, monochromatic colors (wall, chair, and  pillow), repetitive tiles, solid wall, clutter; space)

Associated History & Influences.

Minimalism began in post–World War II Western art, most strongly with American visual arts in the 1960s and early 1970s, although consider its roots to be in the heart of the Modernist movement of the early 20th century when new materials such as glass, steel, and concrete were becoming widely available.

Carl Andre building “Cedar Piece,” 1964
Fig. 8. Carl Andre building “Cedar Piece,” 1964 (De-cluttering, same tiles of wood, same solid-colored wall)

Minimalism was influenced by Japanese tradition, simplicity became the idea in a multitude of cultures. Specifically the Japanese traditional culture of Zen Philosophy. Japanese manipulate the Zen culture into an aesthetic and design elements for their architectural buildings. This idea has influenced Western Society, especially in America since the mid 18th century. Moreover, it inspired minimalist architecture in the 19th century up to this day.

Ryoan-ji Temple's Dry Rock Garden
Fig. 9. Ryoan-ji Temple’s Dry Rock Garden by EIGHTFISH
Rolex Learning Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, designed by Kazuyo Sejima in 2010
Fig. 10. Rolex Learning Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, designed by Kazuyo Sejima in 2010 (Monochromatic colors, clean aesthetic, geometric forms, clean lines, and simple; open space)

In-depth Study

The Black Paintings by Frank Stella

He is an American painter, sculptor, and printmaker noted for his work in the areas of minimalism and post-painterly abstraction. The Black Paintings reflect Stella’s desire to present the viewer with an immediate visual impact, devoid of references to anything outside the work itself. His minimalist approach and lack of ownership for his work are what began to define him in his early stages.

Frank Stella creating his Black Paintings
Fig. 11. Frank Stella creating his Black Paintings (Multiple repetitive patterns and geometric forms, clean lines, flat design, and solid constant colors)

Frank works freehand, applying enamel paint directly onto the canvas to create two seemingly identical sets of black stripes, each the width of the house painters’ brush used to produce it, interspersed with lines of unpainted canvas. The Black Paintings reflect his desire to present the viewer with an immediate visual impact, devoid of references to anything outside the work itself.

The Marriage of Reason and Squalor, 2
Fig. 12. The Marriage of Reason and Squalor, 2 by Frank Stella, 1959 (Monochromatic colors, geometric forms, 2 symmetrical design, clean lines, flat design, and solid constant colors)
Zambezi by Frank Stella
Fig. 13. Zambezi by Frank Stella, 1959 (Monochromatic colors, geometric forms, 4 symmetrical design, clean uneven yet consistent lines, flat design, and solid constant colors)
Arundel Castle by Frank Stella
Fig. 14. Arundel Castle by Frank Stella, 1959 (Monochromatic colors, depicts different shapes: triangle, diamond, and the negative spaces, geometric forms, symmetrical design, clean lines, flat design, different hardness of line yet consistent and solid constant colors)
References:

Expressionism.
—
Fig. 1. Wassily Kandinsky (1903) The Blue Rider (Der Blaue Reiter) – Artsy, Public Domain
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38528964)

Fig. 2. George Grosz (1916) Suicide (Selbstmörder) © DACS, 2020
(https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/grosz-suicide-t02053)

Fig. 3. Otto Dix (1927), Portrait of the Journalist Sylvia Von Harden. Musuem of Modern Art at  the Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris
(https://www.wikiart.org/en/otto-dix/portrait-of-the-journalist-sylvia-von-harden-1926/)

Fig. 4. Unknown (1910), Exhibition of the german expressionist group “Die Brücke” in the Galerie Ernst Arnold in Dresden in September 1910 – Scan aus Dresdener Kunstblätter, Public Domain
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38084810)

Fig. 5. Edvard Munch (1894), Anxiety – Google Art Project: pic, Public Domain
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37623446)

Fig. 6. Vincent van Gogh (1887), Vincent van Gogh – Zelfportret, NAGCV0l1eJoL7A at Google Cultural Institute Public Domain
(https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13527642)

Expressionism Research
Abdou, K. R. (25 August 2019). The Origins of Expressionism, an Evocative Movement Inspired by Emotional Experience. My Modern Met. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://mymodernmet.com/what-is-expressionism/)

History & Influences of Expressionism Research
Motta, C. (n.d.). Expressionism: History of Expressionism. USEUM. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://useum.org/Expressionism/History-of-Expressionism#:%7E:text=As%20a%20movement%2C%20the%20term,more%20passive%20style%20of%20Impressionism.&text=Since%20then%2C%20Expressionism%20became%20a%20widely%20recognized%20form%20of%20modern%20art.)

Abdou, K. R. (25 August 2019). The Origins of Expressionism, an Evocative Movement Inspired by Emotional Experience. My Modern Met. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://mymodernmet.com/what-is-expressionism/)

Expressionism Movement Overview. (n.d.). EXPRESSIONISM. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://www.theartstory.org/movement/expressionism/)

 

Minimalism.
—

Fig. 7. Minimalist Interior Design from Rentcafe Blog
(https://www.rentcafe.com/blog/apartment-search-2/money/save-money-minimalist-interior-design/)

Fig. 8. Carl Andre building “Cedar Piece,” 1964 (Image: Jonathan Griffin)
(https://jonathangriffin.org/2013/03/18/carl-andre/)

Fig. 9. EIGHTFISH (n.d.) Ryoan-ji Temple’s Dry Rock Garden, TIME
(http://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,2049375_2049370_2048915,00.html)

Fig. 10. Rolex Learning Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, designed by Kazuyo Sejima in 2010 & Die Fahne Hoch! (1959), Frank Stella creating his Black Paintings
(https://www.widewalls.ch/magazine/minimalism-art-architecture-design)

Fig. 12, 13, and 14. The Marriage of Reason and Squalor, 2, Zambezi, and Arundel Castle by Frank Stella
(https://blogs.uoregon.edu/kendallwagnerarh410/2015/01/27/the-black-paintings-1958-1960/)

Minimalism Research

Wikipedia contributors. (17 August 2020). Minimalism. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimalism)

Ongaro, A. (n.d.). What Is Minimalism? A Practical Guide to a Minimalist Lifestyle. BREAK THE TWITCH. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://www.breakthetwitch.com/minimalism/)

History & Influences of Minimalism Research

Wikipedia contributors. (17 August 2020). Minimalism. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimalism)

O’Neill, M. (06 December 2017). The History of Minimalism. The Conversation Piece. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://www.ebaycollectiveblog.com/articles/the-history-of-minimalism/#:~:text=Minimalism%20refers%20more%20to%20a,Buckminster%20Fuller%2C%20and%20Philip%20Johnson.)

Minimalism Documentary Video
The Minimalists (29 Jan 2016), Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things (Official Trailer), YouTube
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Co1Iptd4p4)

In-depth Study of Frank Stella

Frank Stella. The Marriage of Reason and Squalor, II. 1959 | MoMA. (n.d.). The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://www.moma.org/collection/works/80316)

Wikipedia contributors. (31 July 2020a). Frank Stella. Wikipedia. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stella)

kwagner2@uoregon.edu. (27 January 2015). The Black Paintings 1958-1960 | Frank Stella. University of Oregon. Retrieved August 17, 2020, from
(https://blogs.uoregon.edu/kendallwagnerarh410/2015/01/27/the-black-paintings-1958-1960/)

Frank Stella Video
5imone5 (01 August 2008), Frank Stella – 1972, YouTube
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN_rRCfRdmQ&feature=emb_title)

 

 

One Reply to “Aesthetic Genre Studies (Foundation 3D)”

  1. – The information presented for both genres is clear and concise.

    – Was a good choice of in-depth study in Frank Stella’s work. There was good reference to the main philosophy behind Minimalism and this set of artworks. I wish though, that there was some mention as to what the black bands “meant” – which was nothing, but still worth a mention as it ties inextricably to the concept of Minimalist art.

    – Presentation – Choice of font size, images and colour contrast works well. Good use of video interjected in the layout also made for an interesting read.

    – Overall, the presentation demonstrated your understanding of the topic.  Was a good effort.

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