Abstract Impressionism

Paper Summary:

The paper focuses on Arshile Gorky's "Agony" and also examines Philip Guston's "Untitled (Waiting)", Barnett Newman's "Vir Heroicus Sublimis", Giacometti's work, Robert Motherwell's work and Robert Morris' "Untitled (Threadwaste)". The paper identifies in all five works of art the artist's continuous affection for pure imagination exercises, an important characteristic of modern, abstract art. The paper explains that under the anguish of the 20th century uncertainties, the artist finds refuge in his work and discovers inner traits of his personality, which, otherwise, would have probably not come out. The paper adds that we do not need to seek interpretations of the artists' work, but simply enjoy the colors, shapes and attitudes for a simple aesthetic pleasure.

From the Paper:

"Arshile Gorky's "Agony" is one of the excellent examples of how contemporary art turns into an abstract representation of an artist's most inner beliefs, a reflection of his post-modernist anger and anxiety facing the realities of the 20th century. Looking at his life as an Armenian refugee whose mother had died in his arms during the Turkish genocide, Arshile Gorky probably best reflects a sum of all these feelings, eventually translated into an early refuge from this life (the artist committed suicide in 1948).
"As a great representation of modern art, it is difficult to give out a realistic interpretation of this work, but the goal is rather to reveal inner feelings awakened by it. The first thing that is likely to make the viewer wonder is the incredible way the colors are combined into a rainbow of beliefs. There are several categories of colors successfully blended into this work. First of all, we have the bright colors, such as numerous nuances of red, with occasional intermissions of purple and pink."

Sample of Sources Used:

• On the Internet at http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/2377958983/. Last retrieved on July 22, 2008

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