"White on White" and "Blue Monochrome"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that artist Kazimir Malevich was fond of the color white as a representation of an infinite expanse, of a nature that could deliver humanity from the czarist totalitarian model to a culture of awakening, innovation and technological invention. The paper then goes on to examine the blue of the monochrome style of Yves Klein and explains that it is a symbol in a chromatic sense of that infinity, and the representative communication of the potential that a post Czarist free society provides to all humanity. The paper therefore shows how "The Blue Monochrome" was the physical manifestation of the abstract concept and the premise that Malevich represents in the "White on White" painting.

From the Paper:

"The political or social goal of the paintings is fuelled by the post revolutionary political leanings of Malevich in his pursuit of a more tangible sense of both personal sensibility and social enlightenment. The social enlightenment represents the space or era beyond what was the evolving form of post revolution social stabilization that is represented by the artistic movement that the post revolution Russian world presented. What is defined for Klein was an abstract notion of action and existence that specifically addresses the heightened need for spiritual evolution that was first epitomized by the utopian vision of Malevich."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chipp, Herschel B. Theories of Modern Art: A Source Book by Artists and Critics. Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: University of California Press, 1968.
• Malevich K.S. "From Cubism and Futurism to Suprematism: The New Realism in Painting," in Essays on Art, vol. 1, ed. Troels Andersen, trans. Xenia Glowacki-Prus and Arnold McMillan (Copenhagen: New Carlsberg Foundation and Danish State Research Foundation, 1968): 19.
• Minturn, Kent Mitchell. "Seeing Malevich, cinematically.(Kazimir Severinovich Malevich)." Art Journal 63.4 (Winter 2004):
• Muse, Anna "Weaving Texts: A Note on Malevich's Uses of Language," in Kazimir Malevich: The White Rectangle, 86-90; 1968
• The Museum of Modern Art, MoMA Highlights, New York: The Museum of Modern Art, revised 2004, originally published 1999, p. 242

More papers on "White on White" and "Blue Monochrome":

• Essay # 3934 : "Compositie met Rood Geel en Blauw," (Composition with Red Yellow and Blue) - Piet Mondrian 1922"
• Term Paper # 129782 : "Journal Entries on White Collar Crime"
• Book Review # 149690 : "Stephen Crane:"The Open Boat" and "Blue Hotel"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: