HUA Assignment #7

Abstract Expressionism

Artist: Jackson Pollock                     

Style: Abstract Expressionism    

Title: Full Fathom Five               

Size: 129 x 76.5 cm (50 7/8 x 30 1/8 in)                                 Completed: 1947

Abstract Expressionism also known as “action painting” is when the artist is directly using the canvas as a way of expressing him or herself. It portrays the artist’s personality and gives the viewers a sense of character from the artist whilst he was painting. In other terms, Pollock expressed his mind of the canvas. The canvas is a reflection of his feelings and emotions at that given time. The colors which are used represents the perception of feeling and what the artist is thinking. There are numerous possibilities of how this painting could have been painted in terms of stroke or direction. What is clear, however, is that Pollock approached the canvas to let out his feelings and portray his character at that given point in time.

‘Full Fathom Five’ is a representation of abstract expressionism; abstract paintings have more of a physical approach and are applied with more energy by their respected painters and artists. In this painting, the viewers are given the feeling that there is motion in the entirety of the work. The rapid movements and different directions results in the painting appearing infinite. There are multiple layers of splatters in Pollock’s painting; this results in the creation of depth. Even though the canvas is a limited space, the viewer is able to picture the painting in a wider and broader view. This specific piece includes solid items such as nails, cigarettes, coins, keys and buttons. These items do not stand out or draw attention to themselves, but attempt to display the expressions of the artist’s emotions. The painting consists of black (mainly), specks of orange, white and blue. It is discovering oneself that gives defiance towards the standard of art.          

Popular-Art

Artist: Claes Oldenburg 

Style: Pop-Art

Title: Giant Soft Fan

Size: 10 feet tall
Completed: 1966-1967

Pop-Art, short for popular-art became known around the 1960s. Artists such as Oldenburg are one of few who started to look at objects around their everyday lives. Also known as pop-artists, they turned household items or items on the street into com-positional sources of their own individual art. In particular, Oldenburg had a unique sense of scale and manipulated unique materials to make his artwork; because of this his artwork, like the “Giant Soft Fan” appeared to be droopy and soft.

With this soft, over sized sculpture of a regular fan, Oldenburg brings a sense of humor and irreverence to his work and anything else in a room. Rendering a hard object into a soft material (saggy, droopy and inflated) transforms it. There is humor in transforming a hard machine into something that appears to be funny and useless.