Beautiful Abstractions
Rodolfo Morales
Many individuals believe that abstract art is not really art. It is not uncommon to hear phrases such as, “I’ve seen five-year-olds that can do better!” However, if there is one art exhibit that could ever prove these individuals wrong it is the Abstract Expressionism exhibit currently found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The exhibit has on display the works of artists such as Theodore J. Roszak, Matta, and Jackson Pollock.
One of the first works of art on display in the rather small exhibit is an untitled piece by Chilean artist Matta in 1941. At first, the piece seems to merely depict numerous strange looking creatures that look similar to the Japanese Pokemon characters. However, at closer investigation, the viewer is shocked to find that this is a surrealist horror scene. There appear to be several blue creatures attacking humans, depicted in more neutral yellow colors. The yellow human-like figures seem to be fleeing, but the blue creatures are in hot pursuit; one bird-like creature swooped down to pick up a human, and another dog-like creature tore a human limb from limb, leaving the shredded remains under its claws. The viewer can possibly relate this scene of violence to an actual scene of violence that the artist experienced during his lifetime, the blue creatures representing an oppressive government chasing the poor who flee from them desperately. The most amazing aspect of this piece is its duality; at first, the picture seem almost cute, but as the viewers stares at each individual shape in the picture, they realize that the scene is actually very gruesome.
Another intriguing work depicted in the exhibit is American artist Jackson Pollock’s “Number 28” (1950). This masterpiece is an excellent example of the drip-and-pour technique that Pollock was such a master of. The image is truly awe-inspiring due to its massive size, and portrays a large array of blacks, whites, and grays meshed together and splattered around the canvas at will. After observing the painting for a while, the viewer gets the sense that Pollock was trying to make a statement about life itself through this work. Many times decisions and choices in life are not merely black and white, but gray as well. However, the whole beauty of life is being able to embrace this “gray” aspect of life and continue living, until finally an individual has created a huge canvas with all of his/her vast experiences as the paint that makes it a work of art.
Theodore J. Roszak’s “Firebird” is another piece of art that is appealing to the eyes. This representational sculpture was one of Roszak’s most successful works. The work is based on Igor Stravinsky’s music, based on his ballet “The Firebird.” He also said of this sculpture “It is Chinese… a Chinese allusion.” The Firebird itself seems to have an exposed ribcage, and the rest of its body consists of wings that curve and have very sharp tips. For many individuals it may even seem to resemble the artwork of Tim Burton in his holiday classic “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The work is meant to demonstrate the constant, primitive struggle of the forces that created life and, at the same time, threatened to destroy it.
The exhibit also displays many other fantastic pieces of abstract artwork that really leave the viewer thinking. That is probably the most amazing aspect of abstract expressionism: a person can look at an abstract piece of art and it can take their imagination to many different places and adapt so many different meanings, while still leaving the viewer inspired. Everybody should take time out to receive some inspiration from this exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
December 18th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Upon first reading this, I remembered our fascinating discussion about Matta’s artwork and how it bore a striking resemblance to Pokemon. But it is surprising that Abstract art also encompasses works that are more cartoon-like in appearance. But Matta corrected that by adding the terror and death portion to his work.