I agree Clara, abstraction has to be experienced in person. I never would have imagined the snail by Matisse would move me to tears hanging on its own wall at the Tate. It did. It was unexpected, but as I turned a corner after exiting the elevator on the top floor of the Tate, I saw it right in front of me, nobody was around, it was just me and that painting, and all of that hope of the dying body that put that work together blasted me. The irony is that I started at the top of the museum because there was a huge Picasso exhibition happening on the lower floors and it was just filled with students from France, and it was so loud and so hectic that I wanted to get away from the crowd. In the end I never walked through any of the Picasso exhibition, I just sat there with the snail. Not to be cliche, but It was a religious experience.
An experience like that is so special, I'm so happy for you! Sometimes you can find the greatest pieces in the quietest corners :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
It is so helpful to hear that talking about abstract art is not restricted to those with a certain level of art education, and that all opinions are valid. Great video, I'm learning lots about abstract art - thank you!
my first interaction with abstract art was with Kandinsky in a freshman art history class. I hadn't had much interaction with any type of art, really but I thought 'yep, that looks like music'.
The first Pat Steir seems to be about a beautiful and subtle interplay of color. The composition is basic and lets the primary focus remain on color. It's a meditative piece.
“It took me 4 years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child” - Picasso. To people saying this piece is underwhelming. There is beauty in simplicity. That’s the point of abstraction. To abstract. I have to agree to a previous comment. I think there is a narrative to this painting. To me, it’s the idea of dissolution, fading away.
This was another great discussion. I love this sort of free-wheeling structure so much better than the old Crit Clash ones you did, which always felt like the structure was limiting the discussion. I vote for more in this style, please!
I really appreciated this video. I found it insightful to hear thoughts & comments on abstract pieces, where I would not have had a clue how to begin to talk or think about such art. I found this valuable. Thanks.
Just wanted to say that abstract isn't just about color play, but also energy. There is a very specific energy transmitted through abstract work. Also layers - in many abstract works there are layer upon layer that create an underlying history and make up a subtle complexity that can't be seen in a photograph. It can only be seen close up. Abstract is a language, with the background and the main players interacting with one another. Depending on the tonal quality, they can be shouting, quietly conversing and everything in between.
30:19 i love this piece. I don't know why, this actually reminded me of heartbeat or something related to the human body. I think it might be the way it resembles an ultrasound. And hearing the narrative really made the squiggly line way more interesting. I also love how the smudge just stop midway, as if there was a deliberate reason why the smudge stopped right there. The artwork just feels very purposeful. Also, i find it very interesting when you look at it from far away, it looks very interesting and feels like a different perspective.
I agree that the Pat Steir paintings are much stronger as an installation. I actually love the Sara Sze painting it's so visceral and emotional and bodily. I also really liked the "bad" Usle painting because of the layers and color. I think Cat's comments about good art having to be "enjoyable" is insane and extremely limiting. A lot of great art is not meant to be enjoyable. Much great art is emotional, visceral, painful to look at. Guernica is not enjoyable, De Kooning, Soutine, Goya, some Elizabeth Murray, Kara Walker, Kathe Kollwitz are not enjoyable (at least not all the time) but they are powerful, Also Lauren is absolutely right about Sara sze's paintings. The first one is definitely better: more visually interesting, better color, more engaging
I think Cat said that the topic can be disturbing but the way the artwork is made has to be enjoyable for her. I agree with her, I think it is a high level of artistry to make the act of viewing enjoyable while the subject matter is painful. I very much enjoy looking at the artists you mention.
@anawider Great art is definitely pleasurable even when it’s painful to watch not in the way you eat an ice cream to get pleasure but in a deeper way because it changes and transforms you as a human being. As a middle distance runner in high school I hated to run in the races because they were so painful but I enjoyed the process of getting better but by bit , the camaraderie and when the pain stopped and people told you that you ran well or not. It’s not therapy but some kind of existentz because we are human
As an abstract artist and educator this was so interesting to watch especially since the panel as a whole didn’t “really like” abstract art. It would have been nice to have an abstract artist on the panel. The internal voice and vocabulary of an abstract artist is different. Feeling dizzy or speaking about composition when you are not an abstract artist or can’t relate to abstract art doesn’t give this discussion the “meat” it deserves. I did agree with a lot of the thoughts just not the delivery of these thoughts!
Very good point, I'd love to see a video where we interview an established abstract artist one day! I bet we'd learn a lot from them :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
It's funny my first exposure to art movements was the impressionists and I was quite put off. Then I was introduced to the Blue Four and I fell in love. Maybe that opened me to Abstraction because when it comes to new art I much prefer it to most everything else, with perhaps Fred Tomaselli I'm not sure what category his work his work falls in.
When I saw some of Rothko’s work in a book, I didn’t really understand them. I kinda flicked past them. But, some time later, I walked into a Rothko room and I hadn’t realised how huge they are. I was profoundly affected. I just kinda went into a slow brown study, like nothing else was there in the room. Not even me. Time stopped. Another time, I walked into a room where there were long fish, each encased separately in a honey smelling smooth wax/resin, tapered at both ends. Again, if I’d seen that room in a book, I wouldn’t have been particularly interested, but that smell of honey and those dead long fish stacked methodically, almost sculpted to soften the square room, caught me as Rothko’s pieces had. Can’t explain it. EDIT: I forgot to mention the colour in the honey/fish room. Shades of gentle light blues and greys… all soft. Simply magical yet sad. Very moving.
Thanks for sharing both of these moving experiences with art. It's so true that reproductions of some art don't hold a candle to the real thing, especially in terms of scale, duration, and luminosity. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
Love Pat Steirs colors in the series... the shades of background... but yeah the first one does feel like a dripping sponge , in isolation. Love Rothko's works. I didn't like that Usle either... its the fuzzy background and a general not liking of the colors in it . I liked the second Usle too... I agree with everyone in the discussion... the lines , the repetition is just so attractive... the contrast.. and the open way it can be different thing for so many different people... it reminds me of books in a bookshelf , a collection of bangles in a banglestand , something related to lla loom etc... so many associations. And also liked the backstory Lauryn gave about the painting. I like both Sarah Sze... I like the blue and green and the 🌎.y feel of the whirlpool and also the glimpses of road in between the blues and greens , and I like the minimal.ish , scattered thing about the flame one.. the flame keeps pulling me and that area around it... I like the empty spaces in between too...
You know, it's been so long after this stream, and I still find myself thinking about that little flame in the Sarah Sze painting. If a painting sticks to you like that, it doesn't really matter if the composition is "good" or "bad", it's effective for what it is. Thank you for watching! :] -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I’m having so much fun listening to the critiques. The piece by Uslé reminds me of a painter’s tape experiment gone wrong. There’s the standard blue tape that’s waiting to for a new layer of paint and the white ares are where the tape has been removed, but the paint leaked under the edges. There’s the yellow tape that’s been painted over on the edges. This one disturbs e to no end! 🤣🤣🤣
The Uslé piece just kills me! It makes my skin itch. 😂 😂 Did you see the Bad 2D Compositions one? th-cam.com/video/np0qNoI9Mj8/w-d-xo.html -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I think it's odd they keep saying the Pat Steir piece is cliche for having a centered composition when the first thing artists are taught about composition is to avoid centering things. I would have expected the centered composition to be criticized because it breaks the rules (or even proves the rule?). Are centered compositions so common in trained artists that they're cliche?
I think center compositions get used a lot by both people at the beginning of their art journey and long-time professional artists, especially with square proportioned artwork. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I really like the Sarah Size picture. It would look great as a contemplative piece. And I think it's quite cleverly done. Too much modern or contemporary art looks blurry or low definition as if the artist was using giant brushes and couldn't be bothered getting any fine detail right
Yes, we do! Here are some critique videos with art history/contemporary art: figure painting portfolio: th-cam.com/video/bJghxGF47kw/w-d-xo.html Sculpture critique: th-cam.com/video/dQJ4Nh7EVBc/w-d-xo.html We have many art critique playlists too, you can see them all here: th-cam.com/channels/G19ZyhUNbkPzU105yq8Rgw.htmlplaylists?view=1&flow=grid -Prof Lieu
Juan Isle 20:00 in - it can be hard to extract a vocabulary, from purely abstract pieces; a lot of jargon comes from analyzing representational compositions, with the litany of cliched formulas, "thirds," Golden Rectangles, leading diagonals, focal points, etc. Impressionism and Fauvism began the shift to considering color interactions, hence Color Field artists. This work looks way too much like a student assignment with masking tape, "hard edge," but it is too uniform, arbitrary, boring mechanical markings covered by boring, flat stripes with no interesting focal point, interactions between layers or adjacent hues - as if either no further thought was given to compositional variety(student mind), or else he scrupulously worked to obliterate anything that might lead to interpretations, by making entirely intellectual decisions about where ends and edges and layers were set (overthinking by an experienced, but perhaps jaded professional). A lot of abstraction can be inscrutable, but to succeed, on some level it has to either convey the notion that the artist had some intentionality - even if we can't quite figure it out - or, it has to connect with the viewer on an emotional or intuitive level, almost as if the artist presents it, to say "Look what I discovered!" Something has to be communicated, whether that is surprise, excitement, revulsion, pleasure, disgust, or joy.
Yes-- I think that in abstract art, it's important to convey some sort of intention, whether it be an emotion, artistic choice, etc. Enough for the viewer to understand. I think the biggest problem with abstract art nowadays is that it can be SO obscure or confusing that you need a masters degree to understand it, which can place it out of reach for many viewers. That being said, there is so much to dive in and learn about! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I like how the three of you don't completely agree on everything. Opinions can differ and a informational video about art composition where everyone agrees wouldn't completely embrace how people have different opinions and values. Everyone has a different definition for what makes good art or composition. Many may agree, but plenty will still disagree and both sides will have plenty of reasons and examples to back up their stance.
Especially for something as subjective as art-- almost everyone has differing opinions!! Thank you so much for your comment, we're happy you enjoyed the video :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
Regarding the whirlpool painting: it's kind of amazing. I love it. Bit as I looked at it, I remembered a lyric from a song I love (Tune Into The Madness), "just turn off your brain and let it sizzle in the beams", and idk... that feels like what this is meant to do
Always being based in realism, I moved away toward collage and more expressive impressions. With that, I wanted to understand abstract painting and techniques. It took me two years of reading and then experimenting. I feel the visual comes first and then the emotions conjured by the viewer. It is also the composition itself and the principles of design used, or elements of line, or lack thereof. Complimentary colors invite a viewer. I feel the first painting is a more emotional sense, almost a feeling of a loss, or with the series, the stages of loss. I looked at the "central" view and immediately felt loss all around (blue) with a central (orange), the thing itself, lost, and the tears. The viewer must bring his/her own emotion or story to a piece, and everyone experiences differently. Artist intent, we may never know, but great art can make us enjoy, be meditative, as well as chaotic and make us uncomfortable. Very subjective to each. Thanks, great program. Sara Sze was actually my favorite because of the feeling it gives you, nauseous or" Whirlpool"...the sickening state of our environmental crisis... going down the toilet. ✌️
Thank you so much for this comment! This is a wonderful break down of abstract art and artist intent :) I completely agree with you, the pieces that impress and capture me the most are the ones with a story behind them - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I absolutely love abstract art, and I like weird art, and I don't mind art that doesn't make sense to me at first, and I like minimalist art, and I like images that intentionally break the rules...but when you put all of those things together like the Pat Steir muted blue and orange blob, in what looks like little more than an accidental brushstroke on an abandoned canvas, it just feels like nonsense. It feels very naked emperor to me. I don't understand how there can be more to say about this than "ew" or "huh" or "fine". The word "pretentious" comes to mind. Either she is having a laugh at our expense, or we are all just too caught up in thinking like proper and intellectual artists to realize this is a big streak of nothing. Most of this sort of abstract art is at least interesting to look at in some way. This is not; it's just incredibly boring with no redeeming qualities. In my opinion, as someone who most definitely does not earn a living making visual art. It doesn't read to me as someone trying to communicate something and just being unsuccessful, it reads to me as someone who is just out of ideas and swiping their brush on a canvas to say they did something.
I enjoy the piece by Sarah sze. it feels radically critical of criticism, like unapologetically chaotic. it has enough variation and motion to keep the piece interesting. also I feel as though the spiraling motion of the blue is counterbalanced with the warm vertical impression enough to imply a metaphor for disrupting causality. its nauseating effect definitely feels intentional and I think the composition is successful for achieving it, idk that's the one piece in this video I would disagree with about
For sure it's mostly personal preference and many folks are alike in what they like of distaste. For some strange reason I'm always inline with not only Lauryn's critiques but most all her ideas about art. That flame thing seems so wrong, for the thousands of images that could have been placed there. And that semi empty space on both right and left would have worked better with only the large vertical brush strokes and left out all the rest of those little busy things. Would have claimed a much better contrast. Busy is just not attractive art for me. I need major dialog! If your'e going to do busy then Betty Franks, her work has dialog.
Abstract art (at least for me) relates a lot to abstract computational units. For example, what makes shape X? One could deconstruct X to primitive items. An abstract artist then instead of using these items to create a concrete shape such as X, he/she will use these items to express his/her emotions. Now a non-trained observer will likely see it as "what the hell is this", but for a trained observer, he/she will likely see these items being used in some artistic way - this describes how the artists in this video's observations. Appreciation is another different story.
I think that in order to truly appreciate art like this, as you said, one would need to have art education or training. This sadly blocks off a lot of public viewers from the message or world of abstract art, so I get why it can be frustrating for people! Although, I find the entire purpose of subliminal message & subtleties extremely exciting to dive into. - Mia, Art Prof Staff
@@artprof I think appreciation in an artistic way would require training or some knowledge about "abstraction". I'm not trained 😊, but I appreciate these art similar to creating source code/frameworks for computers where abstraction is necessary. OTOH there is appreciation from a layman's aspect because the art creates a connection.
I like the moment of Chas but also has some places of calm I think if it is really big the whirlwind painting can be great. It is life it’s all balled in but has its moments of peace I personally like her piece. My eye does go to little moments in the painting the road sky etc.
the reason i think the sarah sze painting feels spacial is that she has added perspective elements into the painting but 1/2 hidden it. the reason that i think the first one felt disjointed is that she gave no where to rest, there is also the same certerpiece of a flame or a candle alit
This is a great way to view it-- I think you nailed it, there has to be somewhere for the viewer to rest in order to feel invited into a piece - Mia, Art Prof Staff
@@artprof the execution threw it off but the effort was there, which is completely different than the pat stier one with the big square blob, i think is not art. just using her "brand" to present something as art and phoned it in. its quite sad really a lot of better artists from all over the world would love to be able to afford the materials, have the opportunity to have such a expensive space to show their art in front of the upper echelon buyers and would actually have a go at presenting a more thought out end product. To me it shows a real disrespect to those other artist because she is the "it" girl/guy in the field and can get away with that.
To me , this painting is like an explosion, it keeps looking at you, asking !!!. The Orange spot is to me the focus point, it is drawing you in, not a painting you just pass with a glance
Every colour field painting I’ve seen in person has been amazing, but every photograph I’ve seen of colour a field painting has been boring. It’s all about the nuances and they just don’t come across in reproduction
Juan Usle painting based on a reproduction is awful : yes it holds an attention like a bad car crash. Just because an awful painting holds your attention at its awfulness does not make it great. The colours are wretched but if AI did this work well it’s ok
I get that-- abstract art always feels weirdly specifically related to things in my life somehow, even though it's the exact opposite! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I think it can be really hard for critiques because you're not getting the full experience of the artwork, but if you have a busy schedule or have difficulty with travel, it can be valuable to have that online structure and support. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
@@artprof Please help me 😣 I really want to made a art professor or a Fashion designer and want to work in South Korea or China ,Japan . Is it possible as a Indian please answer me 😣😥
no.. a piece doesn't necessarily need a story.. but then it had better be visually interesting. this is NOT. So, no story and boring to look at... yah, I call that a weak painting
Personally, At first you have a tendency to ignore it, until you examine it! The work in this piece is very time consuming, but it tire my eyes! I would Not buy this, because of it!
The question to be asked: would this be considered a good painting if it was done by a “nobody”? A no name person?? My guess is this wouldn’t get accepted into any juried shows or galleries.
That is a question I ask myself all of the time, I wish I had an answer.... It IS hard to see how a "prestigious" gallery would accept certain abstract works if they weren't attached to big wig artists! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
Wish i saw this a couple months ago, before the "checkerboard to whirlpool" idea. I had a feeling I should be embarrassed by doing it. Problem is, many liked it! Oh well, your right, never again! joeredman4105
Watch our stream on “Bad” 2D Compositions: th-cam.com/video/M4oYzTq2qSU/w-d-xo.html
I gain so much from these composition streams. "Is the painting boring... yes." love the honesty and the varying perspectives.
I know right?? Thank you so much for watching! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I agree Clara, abstraction has to be experienced in person. I never would have imagined the snail by Matisse would move me to tears hanging on its own wall at the Tate. It did. It was unexpected, but as I turned a corner after exiting the elevator on the top floor of the Tate, I saw it right in front of me, nobody was around, it was just me and that painting, and all of that hope of the dying body that put that work together blasted me. The irony is that I started at the top of the museum because there was a huge Picasso exhibition happening on the lower floors and it was just filled with students from France, and it was so loud and so hectic that I wanted to get away from the crowd. In the end I never walked through any of the Picasso exhibition, I just sat there with the snail. Not to be cliche, but It was a religious experience.
An experience like that is so special, I'm so happy for you! Sometimes you can find the greatest pieces in the quietest corners :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
It is so helpful to hear that talking about abstract art is not restricted to those with a certain level of art education, and that all opinions are valid. Great video, I'm learning lots about abstract art - thank you!
There is so much to learn about abstract art, and we are so happy to share it with you! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
my first interaction with abstract art was with Kandinsky in a freshman art history class. I hadn't had much interaction with any type of art, really but I thought 'yep, that looks like music'.
I completely agree, when I find an abstract piece I love it always reminds me of a song :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
The first Pat Steir seems to be about a beautiful and subtle interplay of color. The composition is basic and lets the primary focus remain on color. It's a meditative piece.
It definitely is, it's very calming to look at :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
“It took me 4 years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child” - Picasso. To people saying this piece is underwhelming. There is beauty in simplicity. That’s the point of abstraction. To abstract. I have to agree to a previous comment. I think there is a narrative to this painting. To me, it’s the idea of dissolution, fading away.
Love this quote! I think you make a really great point :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
This was another great discussion. I love this sort of free-wheeling structure so much better than the old Crit Clash ones you did, which always felt like the structure was limiting the discussion. I vote for more in this style, please!
That's so great to know!! Thank you for the feedback, we're so happy you liked this structure :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
It's so cool hearing everyone's perspectives on this.
I know, abstract art is a great conversation topic because everyone thinks so differently! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
This stream help me open my eyes a little bit more to abstract art. Thank you for sharing.
That's wonderful, we're so glad!! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I really appreciated this video. I found it insightful to hear thoughts & comments on abstract pieces, where I would not have had a clue how to begin to talk or think about such art. I found this valuable. Thanks.
Glad it was helpful! -Prof Lieu
I love abstract art and loved listening to your reactions and critiques! Hope y’all will do more❤️
Thank you! We totally will :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I like the whirlpool one too!
This was another fantastic show. I learn so much from just listening to you guys.
We are so happy to hear that!!! Thanks for watching :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I like the way the artist sees color. Thanks for introducing her to me!
Our pleasure! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
The first Sze was like a tunnel. It looks like I can walk in and I like the space it creates. I'd like to see it in full size.
Totally, that would be awesome! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I loved this discussion. It’s my favorite of all your videos I’ve seen so far. Thank you so much!
Wow, that's great to know!! We're so glad you liked it! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I like the giant knife coming just off of center adds drama to the fake drama
Just wanted to say that abstract isn't just about color play, but also energy. There is a very specific energy transmitted through abstract work. Also layers - in many abstract works there are layer upon layer that create an underlying history and make up a subtle complexity that can't be seen in a photograph. It can only be seen close up. Abstract is a language, with the background and the main players interacting with one another. Depending on the tonal quality, they can be shouting, quietly conversing and everything in between.
Photograph the crazy plaid piece with your phone, change it to b&w, and check it out. I think it helps.
Aw don’t hate on spiral paintings!
I think they're fun sometimes! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
30:19 i love this piece. I don't know why, this actually reminded me of heartbeat or something related to the human body. I think it might be the way it resembles an ultrasound. And hearing the narrative really made the squiggly line way more interesting.
I also love how the smudge just stop midway, as if there was a deliberate reason why the smudge stopped right there. The artwork just feels very purposeful.
Also, i find it very interesting when you look at it from far away, it looks very interesting and feels like a different perspective.
I agree that the Pat Steir paintings are much stronger as an installation. I actually love the Sara Sze painting it's so visceral and emotional and bodily. I also really liked the "bad" Usle painting because of the layers and color. I think Cat's comments about good art having to be "enjoyable" is insane and extremely limiting. A lot of great art is not meant to be enjoyable. Much great art is emotional, visceral, painful to look at. Guernica is not enjoyable, De Kooning, Soutine, Goya, some Elizabeth Murray, Kara Walker, Kathe Kollwitz are not enjoyable (at least not all the time) but they are powerful, Also Lauren is absolutely right about Sara sze's paintings. The first one is definitely better: more visually interesting, better color, more engaging
I think Cat said that the topic can be disturbing but the way the artwork is made has to be enjoyable for her. I agree with her, I think it is a high level of artistry to make the act of viewing enjoyable while the subject matter is painful. I very much enjoy looking at the artists you mention.
@anawider
Great art is definitely pleasurable even when it’s painful to watch not in the way you eat an ice cream to get pleasure but in a deeper way because it changes and transforms you as a human being.
As a middle distance runner in high school I hated to run in the races because they were so painful but I enjoyed the process of getting better but by bit , the camaraderie and when the pain stopped and people told you that you ran well or not. It’s not therapy but some kind of existentz because we are human
As an abstract artist and educator this was so interesting to watch especially since the panel as a whole didn’t “really like” abstract art. It would have been nice to have an abstract artist on the panel. The internal voice and vocabulary of an abstract artist is different. Feeling dizzy or speaking about composition when you are not an abstract artist or can’t relate to abstract art doesn’t give this discussion the “meat” it deserves. I did agree with a lot of the thoughts just not the delivery of these thoughts!
Very good point, I'd love to see a video where we interview an established abstract artist one day! I bet we'd learn a lot from them :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I see a horizon on a rainy day through tunnel vision. I find it boring until I'm brought into the painting then I love it.
That's such a nice way of putting it :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I like the use of colors and the negative space is appealing
So do I! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
It's funny my first exposure to art movements was the impressionists and I was quite put off. Then I was introduced to the Blue Four and I fell in love. Maybe that opened me to Abstraction because when it comes to new art I much prefer it to most everything else, with perhaps Fred Tomaselli I'm not sure what category his work his work falls in.
When I saw some of Rothko’s work in a book, I didn’t really understand them. I kinda flicked past them. But, some time later, I walked into a Rothko room and I hadn’t realised how huge they are. I was profoundly affected. I just kinda went into a slow brown study, like nothing else was there in the room. Not even me. Time stopped.
Another time, I walked into a room where there were long fish, each encased separately in a honey smelling smooth wax/resin, tapered at both ends. Again, if I’d seen that room in a book, I wouldn’t have been particularly interested, but that smell of honey and those dead long fish stacked methodically, almost sculpted to soften the square room, caught me as Rothko’s pieces had. Can’t explain it.
EDIT: I forgot to mention the colour in the honey/fish room. Shades of gentle light blues and greys… all soft. Simply magical yet sad. Very moving.
Thanks for sharing both of these moving experiences with art. It's so true that reproductions of some art don't hold a candle to the real thing, especially in terms of scale, duration, and luminosity. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
Love Pat Steirs colors in the series... the shades of background... but yeah the first one does feel like a dripping sponge , in isolation.
Love Rothko's works.
I didn't like that Usle either... its the fuzzy background and a general not liking of the colors in it .
I liked the second Usle too... I agree with everyone in the discussion... the lines , the repetition is just so attractive... the contrast.. and the open way it can be different thing for so many different people... it reminds me of books in a bookshelf , a collection of bangles in a banglestand , something related to lla loom etc... so many associations.
And also liked the backstory Lauryn gave about the painting.
I like both Sarah Sze... I like the blue and green and the 🌎.y feel of the whirlpool and also the glimpses of road in between the blues and greens , and I like the minimal.ish , scattered thing about the flame one.. the flame keeps pulling me and that area around it... I like the empty spaces in between too...
You know, it's been so long after this stream, and I still find myself thinking about that little flame in the Sarah Sze painting. If a painting sticks to you like that, it doesn't really matter if the composition is "good" or "bad", it's effective for what it is. Thank you for watching! :] -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
this is such a cool channel! I am grateful I stumbled upon this today!
Welcome aboard! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I’m having so much fun listening to the critiques. The piece by Uslé reminds me of a painter’s tape experiment gone wrong. There’s the standard blue tape that’s waiting to for a new layer of paint and the white ares are where the tape has been removed, but the paint leaked under the edges. There’s the yellow tape that’s been painted over on the edges. This one disturbs e to no end! 🤣🤣🤣
The Uslé piece just kills me! It makes my skin itch. 😂 😂 Did you see the Bad 2D Compositions one? th-cam.com/video/np0qNoI9Mj8/w-d-xo.html -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I think it's odd they keep saying the Pat Steir piece is cliche for having a centered composition when the first thing artists are taught about composition is to avoid centering things. I would have expected the centered composition to be criticized because it breaks the rules (or even proves the rule?). Are centered compositions so common in trained artists that they're cliche?
I think center compositions get used a lot by both people at the beginning of their art journey and long-time professional artists, especially with square proportioned artwork. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I really like the Sarah Size picture. It would look great as a contemplative piece. And I think it's quite cleverly done. Too much modern or contemporary art looks blurry or low definition as if the artist was using giant brushes and couldn't be bothered getting any fine detail right
This conversation is everything...thanks for uproading this valuable talk
You're welcome, thank YOU for watching!! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
❤️ do you ever touch on theory and/or art history when critiquing work? Love it and the super engaging content! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Yes, we do! Here are some critique videos with art history/contemporary art: figure painting portfolio: th-cam.com/video/bJghxGF47kw/w-d-xo.html Sculpture critique: th-cam.com/video/dQJ4Nh7EVBc/w-d-xo.html We have many art critique playlists too, you can see them all here: th-cam.com/channels/G19ZyhUNbkPzU105yq8Rgw.htmlplaylists?view=1&flow=grid -Prof Lieu
@@artprof thanks so much Prof Lieu you are so awesome❤️
Juan Isle 20:00 in - it can be hard to extract a vocabulary, from purely abstract pieces; a lot of jargon comes from analyzing representational compositions, with the litany of cliched formulas, "thirds," Golden Rectangles, leading diagonals, focal points, etc. Impressionism and Fauvism began the shift to considering color interactions, hence Color Field artists. This work looks way too much like a student assignment with masking tape, "hard edge," but it is too uniform, arbitrary, boring mechanical markings covered by boring, flat stripes with no interesting focal point, interactions between layers or adjacent hues - as if either no further thought was given to compositional variety(student mind), or else he scrupulously worked to obliterate anything that might lead to interpretations, by making entirely intellectual decisions about where ends and edges and layers were set (overthinking by an experienced, but perhaps jaded professional).
A lot of abstraction can be inscrutable, but to succeed, on some level it has to either convey the notion that the artist had some intentionality - even if we can't quite figure it out - or, it has to connect with the viewer on an emotional or intuitive level, almost as if the artist presents it, to say "Look what I discovered!" Something has to be communicated, whether that is surprise, excitement, revulsion, pleasure, disgust, or joy.
Yes-- I think that in abstract art, it's important to convey some sort of intention, whether it be an emotion, artistic choice, etc. Enough for the viewer to understand. I think the biggest problem with abstract art nowadays is that it can be SO obscure or confusing that you need a masters degree to understand it, which can place it out of reach for many viewers. That being said, there is so much to dive in and learn about! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I like how the three of you don't completely agree on everything. Opinions can differ and a informational video about art composition where everyone agrees wouldn't completely embrace how people have different opinions and values. Everyone has a different definition for what makes good art or composition. Many may agree, but plenty will still disagree and both sides will have plenty of reasons and examples to back up their stance.
Especially for something as subjective as art-- almost everyone has differing opinions!! Thank you so much for your comment, we're happy you enjoyed the video :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
Such a GOOD conversation!
Regarding the whirlpool painting: it's kind of amazing. I love it.
Bit as I looked at it, I remembered a lyric from a song I love (Tune Into The Madness), "just turn off your brain and let it sizzle in the beams", and idk... that feels like what this is meant to do
That is such a cool description and way of looking at it! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
Both of those Sarah Sze pieces are both off-center. Prof Lieu said the whirlwind was in the center. I like the whirlwind a lot more.
Always being based in realism, I moved away toward collage and more expressive impressions. With that, I wanted to understand abstract painting and techniques. It took me two years of reading and then experimenting. I feel the visual comes first and then the emotions conjured by the viewer. It is also the composition itself and the principles of design used, or elements of line, or lack thereof. Complimentary colors invite a viewer. I feel the first painting is a more emotional sense, almost a feeling of a loss, or with the series, the stages of loss. I looked at the "central" view and immediately felt loss all around (blue) with a central (orange), the thing itself, lost, and the tears. The viewer must bring his/her own emotion or story to a piece, and everyone experiences differently. Artist intent, we may never know, but great art can make us enjoy, be meditative, as well as chaotic and make us uncomfortable. Very subjective to each. Thanks, great program. Sara Sze was actually my favorite because of the feeling it gives you, nauseous or" Whirlpool"...the sickening state of our environmental crisis... going down the toilet. ✌️
Thank you so much for this comment! This is a wonderful break down of abstract art and artist intent :) I completely agree with you, the pieces that impress and capture me the most are the ones with a story behind them - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I agree with you about the piece is like a start of a musical composition!
I'd lose all the brown lines in the diagonals piece. I think it stops your eye from moving through the work.
Thanks for the fun chat on art pieces.
Glad you enjoyed it! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
Ha! I just finished two pieces inspired by genome sequencing!!!! And of course, I love the second Ulsé piece
How about to look at Pat Steir's artwork upside down? Could it be more interesting or less boring for the people who thinks it's boring?
I absolutely love abstract art, and I like weird art, and I don't mind art that doesn't make sense to me at first, and I like minimalist art, and I like images that intentionally break the rules...but when you put all of those things together like the Pat Steir muted blue and orange blob, in what looks like little more than an accidental brushstroke on an abandoned canvas, it just feels like nonsense. It feels very naked emperor to me. I don't understand how there can be more to say about this than "ew" or "huh" or "fine". The word "pretentious" comes to mind. Either she is having a laugh at our expense, or we are all just too caught up in thinking like proper and intellectual artists to realize this is a big streak of nothing. Most of this sort of abstract art is at least interesting to look at in some way. This is not; it's just incredibly boring with no redeeming qualities. In my opinion, as someone who most definitely does not earn a living making visual art. It doesn't read to me as someone trying to communicate something and just being unsuccessful, it reads to me as someone who is just out of ideas and swiping their brush on a canvas to say they did something.
I enjoy the piece by Sarah sze. it feels radically critical of criticism, like unapologetically chaotic. it has enough variation and motion to keep the piece interesting. also I feel as though the spiraling motion of the blue is counterbalanced with the warm vertical impression enough to imply a metaphor for disrupting causality. its nauseating effect definitely feels intentional and I think the composition is successful for achieving it, idk that's the one piece in this video I would disagree with about
This is a wonderful critique, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us! We hope you enjoyed watching :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
Rothko is about (Albers interaction of color) about color and emotion or feeling. I find them to be brilliant and personal.
Abstract art has a way of being emotional like that, it's so impressive! Though I must admit, Rothko isn't my fave - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I like the group of those paintings, because it is stronger in a group feeling all together , Single one is and give a different perspective!
Definitely, the paintings reinforce each other, and the differences between them all stand out better in a group. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
For sure it's mostly personal preference and many folks are alike in what they like of distaste. For some strange reason I'm always inline with not only Lauryn's critiques but most all her ideas about art.
That flame thing seems so wrong, for the thousands of images that could have been placed there. And that semi empty space on both right and left would have worked better with only the large vertical brush strokes and left out all the rest of those little busy things. Would have claimed a much better contrast. Busy is just not attractive art for me. I need major dialog! If your'e going to do busy then Betty Franks, her work has dialog.
That first abstract painting shown i thought would be more interesting if you added more movement to it
Movement almost always strengthens compositions! :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
Everything has a story!
Abstract art (at least for me) relates a lot to abstract computational units. For example, what makes shape X? One could deconstruct X to primitive items. An abstract artist then instead of using these items to create a concrete shape such as X, he/she will use these items to express his/her emotions. Now a non-trained observer will likely see it as "what the hell is this", but for a trained observer, he/she will likely see these items being used in some artistic way - this describes how the artists in this video's observations. Appreciation is another different story.
I think that in order to truly appreciate art like this, as you said, one would need to have art education or training. This sadly blocks off a lot of public viewers from the message or world of abstract art, so I get why it can be frustrating for people! Although, I find the entire purpose of subliminal message & subtleties extremely exciting to dive into. - Mia, Art Prof Staff
@@artprof I think appreciation in an artistic way would require training or some knowledge about "abstraction". I'm not trained 😊, but I appreciate these art similar to creating source code/frameworks for computers where abstraction is necessary. OTOH there is appreciation from a layman's aspect because the art creates a connection.
I like the moment of Chas but also has some places of calm I think if it is really big the whirlwind painting can be great. It is life it’s all balled in but has its moments of peace I personally like her piece. My eye does go to little moments in the painting the road sky etc.
Yes, I think all those small moments you pointed out are really important to the success of the piece! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I hated it when I first looked at it, but I kinda love it now, can't say why as agree with all the points!
That's interesting! Art is funny that way :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
the reason i think the sarah sze painting feels spacial is that she has added perspective elements into the painting but 1/2 hidden it. the reason that i think the first one felt disjointed is that she gave no where to rest, there is also the same certerpiece of a flame or a candle alit
This is a great way to view it-- I think you nailed it, there has to be somewhere for the viewer to rest in order to feel invited into a piece - Mia, Art Prof Staff
@@artprof the execution threw it off but the effort was there, which is completely different than the pat stier one with the big square blob, i think is not art. just using her "brand" to present something as art and phoned it in. its quite sad really a lot of better artists from all over the world would love to be able to afford the materials, have the opportunity to have such a expensive space to show their art in front of the upper echelon buyers and would actually have a go at presenting a more thought out end product. To me it shows a real disrespect to those other artist because she is the "it" girl/guy in the field and can get away with that.
To me , this painting is like an explosion, it keeps looking at you, asking !!!. The Orange spot is to me the focus point, it is drawing you in, not a painting you just pass with a glance
Every colour field painting I’ve seen in person has been amazing, but every photograph I’ve seen of colour a field painting has been boring. It’s all about the nuances and they just don’t come across in reproduction
I think abstract art is so lovely in person!!! I agree, most of the time photos don't do them justice :/ - Mia, Art Prof Staff
Ms. Art Prof- i love your hair!
Isn't it great?? - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
Juan Usle painting based on a reproduction is awful : yes it holds an attention like a bad car crash.
Just because an awful painting holds your attention at its awfulness does not make it great.
The colours are wretched but if AI did this work well it’s ok
I do not get people who do not get abstract art.
The second Sarah Sze would better without the flame in the middle
So cool to see all of the varying opinions! -Prof Lieu
The black and white lines piece makes me think of a scene from Interstellar.
Omg, mind blown, I totally see it! 🤯 -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I visualize this on a vermillion wall. Seriously. Jenn F.Portland ,OR
I like it. Wouldn't buy it. But I have a sense of familiarity with it. Like a time of life, maybe like a season of life not wanting to be remembered.
I get that-- abstract art always feels weirdly specifically related to things in my life somehow, even though it's the exact opposite! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I see from the first piece from Pat Steir looks to me like a person curled in a fetal position and falling apart.
Oooh I can see that! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I am against when people call themselves artist when never not professionals without any degrees
First time explosion, Boom goes the dynamite!!!
Juan painting is not my cup of tea! However if the lines had been very sharp and precise
I might be given it a second look!
I think it can be really hard for critiques because you're not getting the full experience of the artwork, but if you have a busy schedule or have difficulty with travel, it can be valuable to have that online structure and support. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
It’s so wierd for anyone to have any strong opinions about abstract art.
Haha, somehow it prompts crazy discussions! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
All of you are Art professor?🙂
Prof Lieu is the real prof, but we have tons of teaching artists like Lauryn and Cat! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
@@artprof Please help me 😣 I really want to made a art professor or a Fashion designer and want to work in South Korea or China ,Japan .
Is it possible as a Indian please answer me 😣😥
no.. a piece doesn't necessarily need a story.. but then it had better be visually interesting. this is NOT. So, no story and boring to look at... yah, I call that a weak painting
Personally, At first you have a tendency to ignore it, until you examine it! The work in this piece is very time consuming, but it tire my eyes! I would Not buy this, because of it!
I like it.
The Juan Isle’ my mind comes up with titles… Framework of an Emesis
Claustrophobic Euphoria
The gray one…. Bio Rhythms on Parade
Bone Scrape
Sarah Sue… I Forgot My Meds
The ADD Eye
I do a lot in orange and blue😂
I love this piece. It seems so time appropriate. It reminds me of being trapped in a fourth dimension or a video game.
The diagonal piece
Ooh I LOVE that reading of it!! - Mia, Art Prof Staff
And, what about that wrinkle under the top yellow line. I can’t quit looking at it. Maybe a wrinkle in time?
If I could I would give that TH-cam algorithm a talking to.
The question to be asked: would this be considered a good painting if it was done by a “nobody”? A no name person?? My guess is this wouldn’t get accepted into any juried shows or galleries.
That is a question I ask myself all of the time, I wish I had an answer.... It IS hard to see how a "prestigious" gallery would accept certain abstract works if they weren't attached to big wig artists! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
I like the whirlpool one. It looks like a natural disaster rip into the fabric of reality!
I thought the same thing! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist
I agrée that it’s gimmicky
The abstract with all the diagonal lines...i see train tracks
Ooh, cool read! I like how abstract art prompts different trains of thought from every viewer :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff
I love abstract art but to me this just looks gimmicky
It's soo hit or miss sometimes..... - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
They are all just as bad...
That first Sarah Sze piece looked like background art for a fruitopia label.
I miss fruitopia
Omg for a second I confused fruitopia with Poptropica and I got so nostalgic! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff
Wish i saw this a couple months ago, before the "checkerboard to whirlpool" idea. I had a feeling I should be embarrassed by doing it. Problem is, many liked it! Oh well, your right, never again! joeredman4105