Latest posts by michael wilson (see all)
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What is abstract art is my second article on understanding abstraction. I was listening to an interview last night of Gerhardt Richter. Though the interviewer’s questions were remarkably insipid, his replies were insightful. There was the distinction made between expression and impression in abstract art – two very distinct processes. The artist is attempting to express something he or she feels internally. With expression there is volition required, a physical effort, planning and execution. Impression implies an imprint such as what a viewer might receive when looking on a painting. There is no effort, except for the willingness to absorb the message.
Before however the viewer has a look and when the painting is still in the studio there is the active back and forth between expression and impression. The artist makes a move, creates and applies and then must stand back to get the impression. Sometimes the question is asked, ‘Is this what I had in mind, or Is this where I want to be going?’ Richter, who does not believe there is a God stated that he uses his art as a means of discovery, of finding truth, of searching out another dimension of consciousness. The expression and the impression is a constant and active process, back and forth means to develop an abstract painting.
Because the source is not from natural surroundings ( not of what we see around us) the artistic expression comes in large part from the sub-conscious. It is certainly a co-mingling of the aggregate of our experiences interpreted through our sub-conscious. This is why we are attracted to abstract interpretations even when there is nothing naturally recognizable. If we are to understand ‘what is abstract art’, we need to grasp the source. The source is that vast reservoir which we all have of inner responses, memories and feelings. These are stored up in our psyche. An abstract artist over time develops a sensitivity to these inner resources by overcoming or taming exterior or outward impressions – that is, one gains ascendancy over the other. This opens up enormous opportunities for expression.