Understanding abstract art – Part 3

ABSTRACT gets passed around from art circle to art circle, and it is clear to me that the use of the word is rather nebulous, having no limits. Abstract art is a guise for lousy academic artists, it is a word that stabilizes expression, an abstraction from what is real, known or concrete and chiefly, the major precipice of abstract work balances those that create it and those who try and interpret it (the esoteric few). Those who create abstract art can either master the various art elements and create splendid works. The brush of an amateur can scale line poorly, leaden color, muddle form and shape, basically create a mess. In my opinion anything does not just go on canvas! It’s not that easy. Understanding abstract art is like understanding a blues tune, the inherent chords and space, colorful notes and passages.

So to understand the above, it is imperative that we examine art that actually has clear signs and symbols. Academic art is easily understood because it often has subject matter which many can identify with. Art prior to 1900 had only one objective and one modus operandi, to create convincing three dimensional life like scenarios, usually pertaining to Christ or the elite. To understand abstract art is to ask the question: Why did painters like Cezanne, Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso break away from the norm? Personally I believe people began seeing the game in art, the possibilities of soap-boxing on canvas, the desire for attention. So the Impressionists, Cubists, Surrealists and the Expressionists began to not only paint for the sake of painting but painting became a way of life, as it is today. Learning how to see, listen and cultivate perception is key to understanding abstract art.

However, within the genre of “abstract” painters, abstract expressionism and non-objective art muddle things up a bit. As I write this I have to pause for a moment and redirect this tangent back to the concept of signs which point to symbols. Abstract art reflexively points to the subjective view and intellect of the one interpreting it. However, painting does have aesthetic rules and these rules generally stem from nature. Nature or not, personally I can judge art and give it value but I could also judge all the chewing gum on city sidewalks and call it a “bubblegum constellation. So basically art is bullshit, and to be a good artist one ought learn that abstract art is a perfect venue to exercise bullshitting. So, understanding abstract