In the first place, before a dialogue about abstract art can be attempted, it must first be defined. You see, we have to define everything, regardless of its nature and regardless of whether we understand it or not… So my dictionary defines abstract art as a trend in modern art characterized by a departure from tangible reality. As a synonym he gives the word “non-image”, i.e. the art that does not account for the image, but for the inner essence of things.
The starting point of abstract art is the 20th century, and while it initially describes some futuristic or cubist works, it later expands to include a wider range of works. Wassily Vasilievich Kandinsky is considered the father of abstract art. We will talk about abstract art in all its expressions…
Already from the definition we notice some “heavy” words, such as “removal” and “felt reality”. If we consider that art, as an artist perceives it, is the expression of feelings, words or concepts, then we are dealing with a conscious attempt to transfer the inner truth that is hidden in their soul, onto a paper. But how does this transfer take place and how is it perceived (if possible!) by people?
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If we exclude the movement of realism, Dadaism and other “nihilistic” expressions, then we are dealing with the attempt of most movements to achieve this very metaphor. The mark they left in space and time has to do with how far they achieved this goal, but also with the percentage of people who accepted or even perceived this effort. Because most of the time, humanity was not able to assimilate or even face such a mood, such a change. The message that the artists were sending seemed to be very direct, so that the viewers could accept it…
“Haha, look, a red dog…….But isn’t it very funny?….. Just imagine, a red dog….”
This was the public reaction to a red dog in Gauguin’s painting Joyeuseté (Arearea) when he exhibited it to the public in the late 18th century. It was inconceivable that anyone would even think of drawing a red dog. The dog couldn’t be red, it couldn’t be red!
Of course, Gauguin, as a post-impressionist, cannot have anything to do with abstract art, but the public’s reaction to this work of his, as well as to other “groundbreaking” works by other artists, has an absolute connection…
The human soul suffered for many centuries this unbridled materialism imposed on it in every age, in every expression. Desperate as she was, she was oppressed and wandering the streets of existence without a purpose, without a destination. Lately she has begun to awaken, but she is still trapped in the nightmare of the surface, unable to grasp the subtle but absolute messages that abstract art sends her. This trap she has fallen into, “forces” her to consider as art only the faithful imitation of nature, the material representation of things so that they have practical value, either as decorations or as portraits. In other words, he considers as art the work that he himself can understand, give it an interpretation. This is his biggest mistake!
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Abstract art is a true challenge to someone who can look behind art, behind lines and forms, through the keyhole of their soul. It takes courage for this venture, because most people are afraid of what they will see or, worse, pretend that an abstract work has nothing to say to them. They abhor spontaneity, the subconscious game that abstract art invites them to play.
The artist of abstract painting does not simply paint lines with colors, contrary to the naive belief of people who do not dare to look directly into the soul of abstract works. It seeks a direct communication with the viewer, stimulating imagination and emotion. He outlines words that have not yet been created, not because they are not needed, but because people cannot grasp them, even though they feel them. These are stimuli from the inner world of man, destined for the man himself, or better, for the spirit of man. Thus, the abstract work not only implies this communication between painter and viewer, but is a golden key to the door that leads to the Hellish Fields of the human soul.