Abstract Art or Simply Paint?
Abstract Expressionism is all about rebelling against the norm, standing against Realism. There are many criticisms that abstract expression is just paint thrown on a canvas, though I can’t help but agree that such cases do exist in the MET Abstract Expressionism Exhibit. However, four pieces jumped out, not only attracting to the eye but also stirring the mind.
One of the biggest pieces in the exhibit is named “Number 28, 1950” by Jacskon Pollock, an American artist. He used the drip-and-pan technique, which is dripping paint from above. Critic Clement Greenberg calls this piece “polyphonic;” it’s loud yet subtle at the same time, dominant in black, white, and grey with sprinkles of pink and baby blue, and a hint of yellow and green in the background. It shows that even though life seems very black and white, it can be quite colorful upon a closer look.
Claes Oldenburge, another famous American Abstract Expressionist, was part of the Pop Art movement. This term became literal in his piece “Soft Calendar for the Month of August,” which contains bubbly calendar dates. Oldenburge created this piece to actually be blown up when it’s put on display. It is mostly white with the Sundays in bright red. It’s another one of Oldenburge’s fun pieces and warp of ordinary things.
A much darker side of the exhibit includes a piece named “1947-H No. 1 (PH-265)” by Clyfford Still, yet another American artist. The MET proclaims it to be “life and death merging in a fearful union.” There is a person standing in a fire, his head hanging low, almost as if detached from his body. There is blood running down his temple. There is a dog-like creature standing by his feet, almost demon-like. This painting is mostly black and white, as if yin and yang, life and death.
My favorite piece, which went unnoticed by most because of the lack of bright paint, is “Untitled” by Matta in 1941. It was done with a pencil and colored crayons, which would explain why it does not jump out to meet the eye. The MET describes it as “horror of pursuit and fear of capture dominate the scene.” A look at the artwork will truly reveals why; it screams war. There are women running from these blue creatures, which seem to take form in flight, land, and water. One monster devours on his meal of human flesh, another on the hunt, chasing after its prey, and one is in the air ripping its catch apart. This piece is terrifying, yet I couldn’t get myself to look away.
Abstract Expressionist can range from fun to dark to brilliant to simply just paint. Many artists will never reveal what their piece really shows and will always leave the viewers in puzzlement, standing at a distance trying to see beyond the paint.