Abstractionism discarded figuration in pursuit of an alternative reality.
Abstract art is called abstractionism . This type of art moves away from the figurative and does not aim to imitate or reproduce real or natural elements .
Alternate reality
Abstractionism, therefore, proposes a different or alternative reality . By discarding figuration, he builds a new universe using colors and shapes that give rise to novel compositions.
It can be said that abstractionism privileges visual sensations and, on the other hand, leaves aside the faithful representation of things. The artists of this movement do not seek that the objects they create can be identified through recognizable images.
It is often indicated that abstractionism is based on the feelings and emotions of the artists. There is no relationship between what is represented and its representation: what exists is what is captured on the canvas and nothing more.
It is important to mention that abstraction was already present in the first artistic manifestations of human beings . However, it was not until 1910 that theories began to be developed in this regard. The Russian Vasili Kandinsky ( 1866 – 1944 ) is generally mentioned as the pioneer of abstractionism.
Currents and slopes
In abstractionism it is possible to recognize different currents. Geometric abstractionism is presented as universal and objective, appealing to geometry to eliminate expressiveness. Expressive abstractionism , on the other hand, resorts to spontaneity and improvisation , giving preponderance to the expressiveness of the painter.
Finally, it should be noted that within abstractionism we find several aspects and groups such as constructivism , abstract expressionism and the De Stijl movement, among others.
geometric abstractionism
This trend of abstractionism began to develop in the 1920s and stands out for the unreal spaces on which simple geometry is created. His main objective was to leave behind the subjectivism typical of many artists who had dominated the plastic scene until that time.
Another of its most characteristic features is the focus on two dimensions, in response to the importance that until then was given to three-dimensionality. The aforementioned Kandinsky was the one who most promoted this trend, but it is also possible to mention Piet Mondrian and Kasimir Malevich .
Constructivism
It is a movement that also covered architecture and that originated in 1914 in Russia. It is possible to distinguish between different groups of Constructivism artists, generally grouped by country: the Russians and the Dutch are the two prominent ones.
The Realist Manifesto , a text that expresses the foundations of this aspect of abstractionism, was published in 1920 and was written by the brothers Naum Gabo and Antoine Pevsner . It represents the first document in which we find constructivism as something positive, since some artists, such as Malevich, did not respect it.
abstract expressionism
One of his most characteristic features is the size of the formats in which his works were captured, which was generally considerable. Regarding materials, a canvas was generally used and painted with oil.
The abstraction of abstract expressionism can be seen in the absence of figuration, although this is not always true. Furthermore, the canvas is painted as if it were a whole, without hierarchical division of its different regions. Finally, few colors other than black and white are usually used.
We should not look for recognizable figures but rather interpret the feelings expressed by the artist.
De Stijl
The pronunciation in our language is close to "de steil". The purpose of this movement was to integrate the arts into one. It was established in 1917 and had representatives such as Cornelis van Eesteren, Piet Mondrian and Pieter Oud .
Although some of its members had experience in traditional styles, they found in this aspect of abstractionism the possibility of adopting a symbolic character, reaching a pure abstraction .