I Could Have Made That: Why I Don't Get Minimal Art

As an artist, and graphic designer by trade I've studied lots of different art movements. I was always drawn to the more modern movements including impressionism, surrealism, and cubism, but enjoyed renaissance art as well. Despite my best efforts though, there was always certain pieces I just couldn't wrap my brain around. Often either a room full of simple geometric shapes, a series of repeated cubes or a simple curving arc. These pieces would be intimidating to me; I simply didn't get it. It was as if these pieces were too "deep" intellectually for me and I was drowning in them, (not literally, I'm just being dramatic).

Minimalism in art often mystified me as I'm sure it has mystified other casual art enthusiasts. When I finally had to take a class in modern art for my major, I was both interested in learning more about minimalism, and terrified that I still wouldn't get it. When we finally reached the topic of minimalism, suddenly everything clicked and made sense, not a lot of sense, but enough that I could appreciate this unique art movement.

I hope that by discussing minimal art and how I see it from an artistic viewpoint, I hope to eliminate some of the intimidation of these pieces and help others become interested in this movement. I don't claim to be an art historian or expert, this is just my interpretation and opinion.

Minimalism Defined

So what exactly is minimalism as it applied to art? Basically it is based around the concept of "Less is More." This concept can be applied to anything from paintings to sculpture and allows the artist to use only the most basic elements that are required to create the desired effect. Geometric shapes are the staple of the minimalist artist as even the most complex figure can be reduced down to simple geometric shapes. Minimalism often overlaps with other art movements depending on the artist but some of my favorites include Richard Serra, Donald Judd, and Dan Flavin.

The Art Object and Concept of Artwork

When looking at minimalist artwork, it is important to remain open to new ideas about what qualifies as art, and what the "art object" is for a particular piece. When looking at more traditional art, seeing the art object is easy; it is whatever you're viewing aka the painting or the sculpture. For minimalist art the object has become detached from the actual piece. For example, lets think about a work by Richard Serra called "Tilted Arc," which was originally installed across the Federal Plaza in New York NY. This arc was a massive tilted arc of steel at 120 feet long and 12 feet high, slightly tilted. The piece took up most of Federal Plaza and was eventually dismantled due to public controversy (people didn't like walking around it I guess).

Serra said this about the piece:

"The viewer becomes aware of himself and of his movement through the plaza. As he moves, the sculpture changes. Contraction and expansion of the sculpture result from the viewer's movement. Step by step the perception not only of the sculpture but of the entire environment changes." Richard Serra - Found in Wikipedia

For this piece, the art object has been removed from the piece itself, and redefined as the interaction between the viewer and the piece. The way that the piece changes uniquely as each viewer passes it actually IS the art. This concept of interaction is found in many minimalist sculptures as it is typically not the simply shapes that are the piece, but the way it makes the viewer feel, or what the viewer sees at they interact with it. Sure, simple cubes, arcs and other geometric shapes are boring if you just view them from one angle, but when you move around them, get up close to them and interact with them, the pieces become quite dynamic and powerful in the way they influence our movements, our eye, our perceptions, and our feelings of space.

Minimalist sculpture has to be experienced in person, because although an image may give you a good representation of what the piece looks like, what it is made of and what it consists of, one really cannot know what the piece IS until you are there experiencing it. In fact this effect can be so extreme that depending on the work, it can almost be forceful and overpowering, as if you could not stand up close to the piece without being affected by its presence.

Not all minimalist art has the same type of effect but generally they all involve some sort of removal of the art, from the object. Lets look at Dan Flavin as another example. His works consist of simple fluorescent tube set up in a particular way and then lit with different colors. With these pieces, the art is not the tubes themselves, but the interaction between the light given off by them when they are lit and how the viewer perceives that light. When combined with other simple shapes and multiple lighted elements, dramatic effects can be created very simply. Those effects and how the viewer perceives them has become the artwork, as opposed to the physical piece itself.

Why Minimalism can be Intimidating

Looking back at how I felt about minimalism before I understood more about it, I find it easy to understand why these pieces can be so intimidating. Its easier to look at a painting or a typical sculpture because I can appreciate the work without doing anything at all. No matter what you interpret from the picture and what the artist was trying to say, you do not have to consider yourself as part of the work. Along with that, even if you do not want to consider the artist's motive and reasoning, you can still appreciate the work for its technical skill. With minimalist art, its just a cube... or a geometric shape... or a splash of paint. It was difficult for me to accept that without having pure technical skill to fall back on, I might not be able to understand the "greatness" of the artwork. I think the reason I shied away from minimalist art is because the shapes tend to be so simple that I don't want to feel stupid because I "simply don't get it." Instead of think about these works and risk being wrong, I would denounce them as "not real art" like it's my decision to decide what is art or not.

After learning more about the methods behind minimalist art, I believe I can overcome this fear as I know more what to look for artistically from these pieces. I can appreciate these works more now that I understand what they are; not deep on the surface, with only the barest essentials, but deep artistically. Often times I still don't understand exactly what is going on artistically, but I'm less likely to say: "but it's just a cube..." or "I could have made that..." I understand that there is more to these pieces than just their form.

Conclusions About Minimalist Art

It took me a long time to overcome my intimidation of minimalist art, but after studying and reading about it more, I feel that these pieces are very good pieces of art and can have more to do with people, than more typical works of art. I hope that by reading this, you'll be inspired to look more into minimal and other kinds of art that are not as "typical." We might not understand these pieces at first, but through more interest and with an open mind, we might be able to appreciate some truly unique, creative and great pieces of work.

If the piece of art is the interaction between this large cube and me, then I guess even my response of "I could have made that..." is validation that that big cube is fulfilling its artistic purpose. Art that fulfills its artistic purpose is successful art.

References Include: Wikipedia for quotes and artist information, as well as my own classes in modern art.

For more information look up the works of Richard Serra, Donald Judd, and Dan Flavin. Or just do a search on Google for minimalism in art.

Art Style, Movements and Influence Of Western Art

Art is always and everywhere the secret confession, and at the same time the immortal movement of its time – Karl Marx Since ancient age to modern art we have come across multiple art styles & movements. Most of them were new creation or transformation of one or other styles. Efforts by individual, group or brotherhood and schools lined up multiple art style in art history. This is my attempt to bring to light foremost & known art styles, movements and influence. If everything is not covered; its reference will be left for details.

If it is topic of art history then the most coined term would be an art style that covers the period of European history at the close of the middle ages and the rise of the modern world. An art style which born in 14th century and lived up to 17th century. An art movement which was later broken down in more than eight regional forms of development by historians. That means "rebirth" and was characterized by a radical development in the arts, medicine, politics and sciences in Europe.

That’s none other than Renaissance!! That was time in which individual expression and worldly experience became two of the main themes. Renaissance is Italian origin and later it was known as one of the most known European Art Movements. By region – Renaissance was identified by own regional movement in Italy, England, German, Northern Europe, French, Netherlands, Poland and Spain. By period it is known as Early Renaissance, High Renaissance, Harlem Renaissance and Northern Renaissance. The word Renaissance is now often used to describe other historical and cultural moments (e.g. the Carolingian Renaissance, the Byzantine Renaissances).

Leonardo da Vinci was the model Renaissance man representing the humanistic values of the period in his art, science and writing. Michelangelo and Raphael were also vital figures in this movement, producing works regarded for centuries as embodying the classical notion of perfection. Renaissance architects included Alberti, Brunelleschi and Bramante.

Renaissance Classicism sowed two different movements— Mannerism and the Baroque. Mannerism was a reaction against the idealist perfection of Classicism. The appeal of Baroque style curved deliberately from the amusing and intellectual qualities of 16th century Mannerist art to an intuitive appeal aimed at the senses. Baroque employed an iconography that was direct, simple, obvious, and dramatic.

Baroque art drew on certain broad and heroic tendencies in Annibale Carracci and his circle, and found inspiration in other artists such as Correggio, Caravaggio, and Federico Barocci nowadays sometimes termed 'proto-Baroque'. Although Baroque was antiquated in many centers by the Rococo style, beginning in France in the late 1720s, more than ever for interiors, paintings and the decorative arts, Baroque architecture remained a practical style until the arrival of ascetic Neoclassicism in the later 18th century. Ingres, Canova, and Jacques-Louis David are among the best-known neoclassicists.

Neoclassicism was nothing but a reaction against both the surviving Baroque and Rococo styles, and as a desire to return to the perceived "purity" of the arts of Rome & Ancient Greek. Neoclassicism was also solitary representation of the American Renaissance movement. As Mannerism discarded Classicism, Romanticism too refused the ideas of the Enlightenment and the aesthetic of the Neoclassicists. Romanticism movement turned world’s attention toward landscape and nature as well as the human figure and the supremacy of natural order above mankind's will. Hudson River School was highly influenced by Romanticism.

However Neoclassicism sustained to be a foremost vigor in Academic Art through the 19th century and beyond. Academic Art was a relentless antithesis to Romanticism or Gothic revival.

In 19th Century, after impacts of industrialization - Poverty, squalor, and desperation were to be the fortune of the new working class. Where Romanticism was optimism towards mankind; situation put art looking towards reality giving chance to Realism. Social Realism, Magic Realism, Photo Realism and Contemporary Realism are newer forms of Realism. Related movements were the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Arts and Crafts Movement.

Neo-classical movement rejected the extreme romanticism of Dada (that hunted the discovery of authentic reality through the abolition of traditional culture and aesthetic forms), in favor of control, religion and a dyed-in-the-wool political programme. Dada ignored aesthetics. Dada became an influential movement in modern art. It also influenced Surrealism, Pop Art and Fluxus.

Realism’s concept of seeing world by human eye gave birth to Impressionism. Use of bright color improving more visibility (as opposed to Academic art) and strokes that were mixed in viewer's eyes were key features of impressionism. The Group of Seven was strongly influenced by European Impressionism of the late Nineteenth Century.

Fauvism & Post-Impressionism followed Impressionism. Later Fauvism; modern art started shaping self in multiple new forms including Cubism, Expressionism, Abstract Art, Dada, Abstract Expressionism , Futurism, Naïve art, Op Art, Surrealism, Minimalism, Pop Art and other. Modern art and its forms itself needs separate discussion.

After its transformation of several forms; painting is yet breathing in ‘Contemporary Art’ and ‘Post Modern Art’.

Reference:

Art History Style Study References

Blog On Art History, Style & Artists [http://historyofart.wordpress.com]

African Art Galleries

African art culture consists of different art forms created by various tribes. This African tribal art is regarded as one of the finest creations in the world of art. Africans use art for cross-cultural dialogues, personal therapies and in order to communicate with gods and ancestors. Hence, art is an integral part of the daily African life. The main material used for most African art forms was wood, which was decorated with clay, shells, beads, ivory, metal and feathers. Masks and figures have also been the most important types of art forms that were used in religious ceremonies. The tremendous collection of all these African art forms and their replicas can be found in different African art galleries all over the world.

These art galleries display the most sought after and authentic art pieces of the African art culture, which is difficult to find anywhere else.

There are a number of African art galleries in different cities that promote their local as well as international African artists. Some of these art galleries attempt to participate in at least 10 big expositions every year and there have been many shows of these galleries in the U.S. too. African art has been known for its culture and tradition. Most of the African art forms depict the understanding of aesthetic principles and latest developments, religious and ceremonial values and other moral ideas. Hence, the work of many African artists help to have a detailed understanding about the African people, their culture and their wildlife through various oil paintings and other art forms. The Hamill Gallery of African Art and the Mark Art Gallery are amongst the many African art galleries located in different parts of the world.

African art galleries showcase the unique collection of African art that includes Tribal Masks, Statues, Figurines, Paintings, Ostrich Egg shell decoupage, ethnic clothing, Djembes (type of drums), textiles, jewelry and other artifacts. Though a proper knowledge of the African history is necessary in order to understand African art, the work displayed by various African art galleries gives an idea about the visual impact and spiritual power of the tribal art.

History of Abstract Art

Abstract art is a form of art in which an object or a form is developed in either a simplified way or an exaggerated manner. Abstract art is one of the major forms of art design which attracts a wide variety of people and art lovers. This form of art developed long back with a significant history comprising of various popular artists. Abstract landscape art, 3D abstract art, and fantasy abstract art are the most popular varieties of abstract art.

The three major forms of abstract art are cubism, neoplasticism, and abstract expressionism. Several artists are credited with the foundations of abstract art. Among those artists, the most famous cubists were Pablo Picasso and Georges. Piet Mondrian's works are one of the best examples of neoplasticism. Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock are excellent examples of abstract expressionism.

The history of abstract art involves more than 20,000 artists along with their interesting art backgrounds. Images and in-depth information of these artists are available in their biographies. History states that the abstract form of art design developed in the early 1900s. Neo-plasticism (1920-1940), abstract expressionism (1940-1955), conceptual art, contemporary realism, photorealism, and hyper realism (1960-1975), and neo-expressionism (1970-1990) are some of the major developmental stages in the history of abstract art.

Post-Modernism is a stage which began around 1975, and still considered very famous in abstract art form. Ancient history reveals the truth that abstract art had been used in decorations for textiles and pottery, even in the early twentieth century abstract patterns. In the twentieth century, abstract art type was widely accepted. The first original abstract art form was developed by Wassily Kandinsky in 1910. In 1912, he wrote a theory based on abstract art called On the Spiritual in Art. This theory stated that portrayed art should be based on spiritual realm, and not just the things we see ordinarily as the visual world.

Miroslav Klabal is a Multitalented Art Dealer

Miroslav Klabal is one of the most well recognized names in the world of art these days. However, it is a fact and we all know that recognition does not come easy. Miroslav Klabal better known in the art world as Mirek Klabal and his wife Maryann Klabal had to undergo so many things before they achieved the position and recognition that they enjoy now. Miroslav Klabal owns some of the most amazing art pieces made by renowned artists. He has a special interest for these types of art pieces and loves colleting them. He is the proud owner of several amazing art galleries that are located in New York and he loves to be associated with the art world.

Art has different meanings for different people and people interpret this as per their own understanding of things and events. Art reflects the basic reality and tenets of the human life besides many other things. For art lovers owning a piece of art drawn by an artist is like owning the most amazing thing in this whole world. Miroslav Klabal not only loves collecting and appreciating good art but is also an art master. Art master is the source through which people can buy the piece of art that they have always wanted. Possessing an amazing piece of art is what all art lovers want to do.

To buy a genuine piece of beautiful art you need to have a proper knowledge about art and its various other aspects. This is but quite natural that the art dealer with whom you are dealing must also have a good knowledge about all these aspects. This is where Klabal excels over his contemporaries; he has a thorough and comprehensive knowledge about all the aspects related to a genuine art masterpiece. He knows what art lovers want to see in art masterpieces and helps people buying genuine art masterpieces drawn by renowned artists.

MK fine art, the incredible art gallery owned by Klabal and his wife is the place where art lovers like to be in these days. This is due to the magnificent collection that he has in the gallery. The décor and the background music makes this place a huge hit and a must visit spot for art lovers all over. After all, who would not love to see for themselves all the wonderful collection of art at a time under one roof? And if you happen to like one of the art pieces in his gallery, you can buy this provided Klabal approves of this. He takes special care to sell art pieces only to those people who genuinely love art and will take good care of it.

Mk Fine Art Is A Creative Base For Art Lovers

The concept of art has found a new meaning with the support of Mk Fine Arts. The need of art in ones life is as important as a person's own life. The extreme need of art is possibly because of the way paintings reflect your life, your way of understanding things, ideas, thinks and point of view. The painters or artists always reflect the lifestyle or some aspect of perceiving things. Mk fine art is a famous fine art group run by Mirek Klabal and Maryann Klabal, who belong to Greenwich Connecticut. Fine art is a creative field and you got to have a special appreciation for it. One should have a creative bent of mind to understand the real truth and meaning behind the masterpieces.

Mk fine art has a collection of one of the most renowned and excellent pieces of arts. These masterpieces have been painted by a variety of top artists. It is because of this that Mk fine art has never compromised on the collection of art masterpieces that adorn their art galleries. Marc Chagall is one of the greatest artists, whose work adorns the art galleries of Mirek Klabal. Apart from Chagall's masterpieces, Mk fine art galleries have a collection of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Vincent Van Gogh, Gustav, Joan Miro and many more. Mirek and Maryann Klabal have dedicated their life towards creating a new place of art in the world of appreciation.

Mirek Klabal is quite particular about the person to whom he sells his collection. In fact, he likes to personally meet the person and get important details. Basically, he tries to make a relationship with his buyers and to decide whether or not the buyer would be able to take care of that piece of art or not. Mk fine arts have grown on the graph of popularity, over time. They have been involved in making certain contributions to charities and raising funds for National Alliance of Autism Research. Mk fine art has become a well known name in the field of art and has become famous for catering to the senses of the elite.

If you are new to the world of art and wish to buy one of the best works of a famous artist, then Mirek Klabal of Mk fine arts is there to help you. You may come across a variety of art dealers who are simply a fraud selling fake art pieces using the name of Picasso or Chagall or any other renowned artists. Mirek will not only guide you through the proper way of buying your favorite art piece, but will also explain to you the intricacies of art field. He would help you in every possible manner to select the right masterpiece and save you from buying an art masterpiece from a fraud. Mk fine art is the most reliable person to go for genuine art masterpieces. You don't have to worry about the quality and excellence of painting bought from Mk fine art.

Money is so precious and even when someone desires to part with it to buy an incredible art piece; the number on thing on their mind is not to buy from a fraud. Art pieces from Mk fine art have a special value, so you don't have to think even a little bit about buying masterpieces from Mk fine art. It is because quality work and original work is guaranteed here. Art brings a sense of reflection in ones life and if it is genuine then it will bring out surge of true emotions in your life. Art signifies beauty that is embedded with creativity and intelligence. Moreover, fine arts' wares are meant to add shine to the ambience of your place.

What Are Your Career Futures with an Art Degree?

Graduates with arts degrees often feel some difficulties to determine their career goal in the initial stage. In general view, most of jobs seem to suit the arts degree graduates but when come to decide a career goal, it seem like hard to define one. Unlike graduates from science and technology fields, graduates from the arts fields feel that their program of study hasn't necessarily prepared them for specific jobs or careers. Many arts degree graduates become apprehensive once graduation approaches.

Are these the facts of art degrees? Is pursuing an art degree a waste of money and will only get you a job flipping burgers? These popular art degree's myths affect many students who are interested in art degrees and they stop moving their step into art fields and force themselves to take science & technology related degrees for a brighter future.

The Facts versus Myths

In actual, the facts are contrary to the popular art degree myths, a variety of career possibilities await art graduates, almost half of all job vacancies available to new graduates are open to students with arts degrees. These employers are particularly interested in transferable skills.

Let review the true facts of these popular art degree myths and you will realize that you are totally employable with your Arts degree and arts degree graduates are really in high demand in the jobs market with well-paying positions.

Myth 1: A Bachelor of Arts degree is not enough to find a well-paying, interesting job. You need to go to Law School, the Faculty of Education, or a technical training institute to be competitive for professional employment.

Fact 1: Based payscales.com salary survey conducted in 2006, average salary for bachelor's arts degree graduates in various job fields at United States are ranging from $32,000 to $55,000 annually, without having any further college or university study.

Myth 2: A Bachelor of Arts degree will get you a job of flipping burgers.

Fact 2: Based recent job survey conducted by a well-known survey company, arts graduates are often employed in a professional or managerial capacity (50 - 81%). This compared favorably with those in Commerce (60%) and those with technical or vocational diplomas from colleges and technical institutes (24 - 35%).

Myth 3: A Bachelor of Arts degree is a waste of time and money and does not earn as much money as a bachelor degree in science and technology.

Fact 3: According to a job survey report from "Express News" of University Alberta, Those with a general arts degree do well in the long term, although initially they may not make as much as graduates of professional faculties, what's really striking is the gains they make over five years, the gap starts to close. This is because Arts graduates emerge with highly developed research, communication, creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are in high demand because they are difficult to teach in the workplace. Many employers want this type of well-rounded employee, who can be trained for more specific skills.

Arts Degree Students Are In Demand

Almost 50% of job markets are opened for students with arts degrees. Many of these jobs are within Arts students' reach upon graduation, particular if they have already identified their unique interests and abilities. Career opportunities for Arts degree graduates are ranging from non-profit, to private business and to government sectors; examples of job titles held by Arts graduates are:

• Manager
• Events Planner
• Advertising Executive
• Program Coordinator
• Counselor
• Marketing Professional
• Facilitator
• Corporate Trainer

In Summary

Arts degree graduates are in demand in the job markets, a variety of career possibilities are awaiting for art degree graduates at a well-paying level and expandable career future.