The Abstract/Minimalist Thread !

Bitter Jeweler · Oct 22, 2011

Break it down a little more.

"Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world."

In art, there are many seemingly overlapping terms which tend to get lumped together.

"Abstract art, nonfigurative art, nonobjective art, and nonrepresentational art are loosely related terms. They are similar, although perhaps not of identical meaning."

Like I mentioned earlier about the relation of abstraction, and minimalism. ( oh, sorry that was in a different thread) There is some overlap, but the ideas behind them are a little more distinct.

The more you study art, and it's history, and how new forms came about, the more you will understand the intricacies.

cgipson1 · Oct 22, 2011

Thanks Bitter.... I just need to find more time to study art and art history! I love sculpture (even abstract).. and photography. I love shape and form (as in pottery or glasswork ... a well shaped vase is extremely lovely, and can hold my attention much longer than many other things). Most abstract painting just bores me... but I am trying to appreciate it! I do find some of it entrancing... but can't even really say why.

Bitter Jeweler · Oct 22, 2011

But that's just it! You don't have to :heart: ALL of it!!!

What you should hope to learn to do is find some understanding of it, whether you like it or not.
At a base level, just look for composition, see how your eye is led around the image.
Then start dwelling on whether it makes you feel anything.
But don't start by approaching it looking for meaning.

Sometimes a compelling image or painting just makes you want to keep looking at it.
Maybe the only reason you get lost in it, is that it has made fantastic use of composition, and that's it!
No story. Nothing profound. No emotional impact.

Sculpture has it's set of compositional elements and theory. It also has to try to look good in the round (from many angles).

cgipson1 · Oct 22, 2011

yes.. that is the "vive le difference"! I have had friends look at me funny, when I try to describe why I like the way light defines a curve on a sculpted piece, or how a certain series of chords just makes me shiver... and yet they can rave for hours about something that has no emotional impact on me at all. Guess that is what makes it fun!

I just sometimes feel like maybe I am missing something with my apathy toward most abstract art.. and in the past, I have learned that I can "learn" to appreciate something I dislike, at least on an intellectual level if not an emotional one.

mishele · Oct 22, 2011

Buckster · Oct 22, 2011

This is a great thread, and so is, umm... http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photo-themes/3132-abstract.html

ottor · Oct 22, 2011

Most of you have seen this one before, but it fit's with "Slightly Abstract".....

LaFoto · Oct 23, 2011

Buckster said:
This is a great thread, and so is, umm... http://www.thephotoforum.com/forum/photo-themes/3132-abstract.html

You are so right with this, Buckster, there is and has been a Theme thread on "Abstract" for quite some time, and I had hoped - when this one was started - that members would consider the "minimalist" aspect more, and more especially. For minimalist photos CAN be abstract but need not be! However, the "abstract" aspect has taken over and I could almost go and merge those two threads. But I won't. Let's see if there will be a considerably larger amount of minimalist photos here?

LaFoto · Oct 23, 2011

I'm not quite so sure myself, but I'd consider these as "minimalist" (what with the small [!] amount of "subjects" chosen for each photo), but they are not abstract. What do you say about my feeling they might meet the "minimalist" aspect? Still too much in them?

025 von Corinna-Fotos auf Flickr

Husumfahrt5 von Corinna-Fotos auf Flickr

0246_Klintehamn-Holzhafen_wsz-frame von Corinna-Fotos auf Flickr

Buckster · Oct 23, 2011

Good point on the minimalist aspect. I think the ones you posted are, but it's one of those subjective things, so...???

Anyway, nothing to get in a pinch about - it's all good fun as long as nobody loses an eye!

I just thought I'd point it out is all.