Monday, April 24, 2023

WQ - Abstract Beauty

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Oh, I do love hunting up interesting quotes, so I've been enjoying the Wednesday Quotes link-up hosted by Marsha at Always Write. I realize that I'm not publishing this on a Wednesday, but since Wednesdays tends to be busy here on A Fresh Cup, I'm allowing myself to share these collections on a day other than Wednesday most weeks.

People like abstract art because it makes them feel clever. ~James Acaster

I don't know how much I agree with this statement, perhaps because I'm not sure whether it was meant very seriously or rather tongue-in-cheek. When I've been in art museums, it seems like people are more likely to be puzzled, impatient, or confused by abstract art. Myself included. I don't feel clever when I am befuddled by what an artist is trying to portray and at a loss to understand how the museum's description of the author's intentions line up with the image I'm viewing. I sometimes feel like I'm missing something! 


That doesn't mean I don't enjoy or appreciate some abstract art. I like pieces that make me think or that are just pleasing to my eye. 




There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality. ~Pablo Picasso

Baltimore Museum of Art Field Trip on Homeschool Coffee Break @ kympossibleblog.blogspot.com
Traveling Circus by Paul Klee

Baltimore Museum of Art Field Trip on Homeschool Coffee Break @ kympossibleblog.blogspot.com
Composition V by Piet Mondrian


Just as pure abstract art is not dogmatic; neither is it decorative. ~Piet Mondrian

And yet we found Mondrian's work―so simple with just lines and blocks of color―fascinating to look at, and I would certainly hang this kind of piece in my home to enjoy it for decorative value.


Abstract painting is abstract. It confronts you. There was a reviewer awhile back that wrote that my pictures didn't have any beginning or any end. He didn't mean it as a compliment but it was. ~Jackson Pollock

I think that's a compliment as well. I like Pollock's work.

Baltimore Museum of Art Field Trip on Homeschool Coffee Break @ kympossibleblog.blogspot.com
Water Birds by Jackson Pollock

Concepts, ideas, virtues, thoughts . . . these are described as abstract, because they are things but do not have substance and they can't be touched. Abstract art, I suppose, doesn't necessarily depict recognizable things or objects, but uses color and line and form to represent ideas. This is why it can be confusing or puzzling to many people, and perhaps explains why a piece of art might be perceived by some people to be ugly. Isn't art supposed to be beautiful? One might ask what is the point of a piece of art if we can't tell what it's supposed to be?

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
~Proverbs 31:30~

Standards of beauty change through the generations and even from one person to another. Loving and honoring God is also an abstract thing, but it gives us a lasting beauty and purpose.


Wednesday Quotes is hosted by Marsha at Always Write. This post will be linked at #WQ #17: Abstract


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6 comments:

  1. I agree with you on abstract art. For the most part, I don't care for it. At our art museum, there was an exhibit which consisted of a few lengths of orange and ivory cords attached at the ceiling and floor. I honestly had no idea what it meant!

    https://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. That doesn't seem particularly artistic to me either. Guess my definition of art is different than some of these modern experimental artists! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Hi Kym, I agree with you about many pieces I've seen in museums. I like several of the ones you've selected, though. I particularly like Water Birds.

    I saw one whole-room display in New York City that was a bunch of wine bottles attached to the ceiling that had dripped on the floor, news papers cut up with red paint randomly painted on the photos and print. Mostly it smelled and was very disturbing. Another one I saw in Paris was a huge canvas the size of a wall in most homes painted royal blue. That was it. No nuances, nothing! Very weird.

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    1. yes some modern abstract "art" is just plain weird, and I'm not sure how it's art? To each his own, I guess! Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. I enjoyed your quotes and photos...Can you tell me what font you used for your quotes? I love it.

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    1. Thank you, I enjoyed putting this one together! The font is called Bad Script, which is a little odd because I think it's very nice. Hope that helps!

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