Minimalism Flashcards
What is minimalistic art
Art that wants to have nothing to with the object. It can exist in and for itself
Why did minimalism originate
Protest action against abstract expressionism
Rationalism
A mathematical way of thinking. It was abstractly seen as a point of departure by the minimalists
Which artist influenced the ideas of minimalists and how
Mondrian. He believed that art should be completely conceived in the mind before execution.
Ready-made
Started by Duchamp who minimised the role of the artist in creating the art. Artists began to decide how they wanted something to be exhibited
How did Abstract expressionism influence minimalism
Colourfield painting
Who created the term minimalism
A british philosopher named Wollheim
What did the term minimalism describe
Sculptures without content
What were two other names given to minimalism
Primary structures and ABC art
Who are artists associated with minimalism
Donald Judd Carl Andre Frank Stella Tony Smith Sol Lewitt Dan Flavin
Composition
Arrangement of geometric shapes in relation to space was seen as a very important aspect of the artwork. Had to be planned ahead of time. Use of symmetry and repetition of identical shapes s typical
Shape
Used simple unitary geometric shapes, mostly 3D
Media
Mostly industrial:
Galvanised iron, cold rolled steel, fluorescent tubes, bricks, styrofoam cubes, copper plates, slate, preshaped wood and industrial paint
Application
In quest to oppose individual marking in abstract expressionism: minimalist art did not show any signs of the artist. Workmanship was neutral: ready-made and sometimes assembled by someone else
Colour
Mostly dull, neutral colours associated with wood and metals. Added colours were usually black, white or grey. A few added colour: Stella and Flavin
