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------------------------------------------------ ### 9.4 Art Trends in US and Mexico: Abstract Expressionism and Jackson Pollock

**Abstract Expressionism Overview:**

Abstract expressionism was an American post-World War II art movement. Although the term "abstract expressionism" was first applied to American art in 1946 by the art critic Robert Coates, it had been first used in Germany in 1919 in the magazine *Der Sturm*.

Abstract expressionism is derived from the combination of the emotional intensity and self-denial of the German Expressionists with the anti-figurative aesthetic of European abstract schools such as Futurism, the Bauhaus, and Synthetic Cubism. Additionally, it has an image of being rebellious, anarchic, highly idiosyncratic, and nihilistic. In practice, the term is applied to various artists working (mostly) in New York who had quite different styles, and even to work that is neither especially abstract nor expressionist.

Abstract expressionism expanded and developed the definitions and possibilities available for the creation of new works of art. Although abstract expressionism spread quickly throughout the United States, the major centers of this style were the New York School and California. Abstract expressionist paintings share certain characteristics, including the use of large canvases and an "all-over" approach, in which the whole canvas is treated with equal importance (as opposed to the center being more interesting than the edges).

**Jackson Pollock's Contribution:**

During the late 1940s, Jackson Pollock's radical approach to painting revolutionized the potential for all contemporary art that followed him. To some extent, Pollock realized that the journey toward making a work of art was as important as the work of art itself. Pollock redefined what it was to produce art. His move away from easel painting and conventionality was a liberating signal to the artists of his era and to all that came after. Artists realized that Jackson Pollock's process—placing unstretched raw canvas on the floor, where it could be attacked from all four sides using artist materials and industrial materials—essentially took art making beyond any prior boundary.

**DIRECTIONS:**

Complete the following question after reading the article about Jackson Pollock and Abstract Expressionism.

1. What characteristics of Abstract Expressionism are evident in Jackson Pollock's artwork?

Answer :

Final answer:

Jackson Pollock's work in Abstract Expressionism showcases significant characteristics such as the use of large canvases, an all-over approach, spontaneity in technique, and emotional expressivity. His drip painting method highlighted the process of creation as integral to the artwork. Pollock's innovations helped redefine artistic boundaries and contributed to the legacy of the Abstract Expressionist movement.


Explanation:

Characteristics of Abstract Expressionism in Jackson Pollock's Work

Jackson Pollock is one of the most renowned artists associated with Abstract Expressionism, and his work embodies several distinct characteristics of this movement. Here are some key traits evident in his paintings:

  1. Large Canvases: Pollock often used very large canvases, which allowed him to immerse himself fully in the painting process. This scale reflects the movement’s preference for grand and expansive compositions.
  2. All-Over Approach: His technique involved treating the entire canvas with equal importance, avoiding any focal point. This can be seen in works such as "No. 5, 1948," where every inch has been activated, contributing to a sense of unending motion.
  3. Spontaneity and Gesture: Pollock’s famous drip technique exemplifies the embrace of spontaneity. He would lay the canvas on the ground and pour or drip paint from above, allowing gravity and momentum to dictate the outcome of the work.
  4. Emotional Expressivity: The energetic application of paint and the chaotic patterns reflect an emotional intensity aligned with the goals of Abstract Expressionism, which sought to convey the artist's inner feelings rather than depict the external world.

Through these characteristics, Pollock not only transformed his approach to painting but also reshaped the overall direction of modern art, establishing new possibilities for expression.


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