Minimalism

• History
o Minimalism emerged during the 1960’s right after Abstract Expressionism
and Op Art came right after Minimalism. Minimalism came to existence
because artists felt that the art that was before, Abstract Expressionism
wasn’t simple enough. Most artists wanted to make art simpler.
• Characteristics
o Minimalist make their paintings and sculptures that are stripped down to
their elemental geometric form, and thrive on simplicity in both content
and form.
• Philosophy
o Minimalism allows the viewer to experience the work more intensely
without the distractions of composition, theme, etc.
• Main Artist
o Dan Flavin
 Dan Flavin is an American artist who was born on 1933 and lived
until 1996. Dan was one of the first artists to integrate electric
lights (commercial fluorescent light bulbs) into his works of art.
He was a type of artist who liked including objects that people use
everyday that are easy to find.
o Brice Marden
 Brice Marden was born in Bronxville, New York, October 15,
1938. Marden’s paintings are created from a particular experience
that he has had or in reaction to having spent time in a specific
place. Most of Marden’s paintings are either really simple with just
solid colors or really messy with scribbles all over.
o Barnett Newman
 Barnett Newman was born on January 29, 1905 in New York. After
the post war period, Newman believed that a completely new type
of art was needed. Newman’s paintings gave much attention to the
precise physical qualities of his paintings with acrylic paint so that
he could achieve contrasts of opacity and depth. Most of
Newman’s paintings are in place by dividing his canvases to be
vertical with color.
• Influences
o Abstract Expressionism came directly before Minimalism and was
stripped of its composition. Op Art came after Minimalism and Op Art had
patterns that made it look 3D compared to the 2D art that Minimalism
consisted of.
o Abstract Expressionism caused Minimalism to surface because of the
appearance of abstract art. Abstract expressionism wasn’t simple enough
for Minimalist so they made their own art that was stripped down to have
simplicity in both content and form.
 Minimalism

Research Bibliography
1. “Minimalism.” The Guide to Great Art on the Internet. 2007. John
Malyon/Artcyclopedia. 26 Feb. 2009
<http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/minimalism.html>.

2. “Minimalism” Art Movements Directory. 2006. UK Web Design Company. 26 Feb.

2009 <http://www.artmovements.co.uk/minimalism.htm>.

3. “Minimalist Art” Artist, Artworks, and Bibliographies. 5 Feb. 2006. World Wide Art
Resources. 26 Feb. 2009 <http://wwar.com/masters/movements/minimalism.html>.

4. "Minimalism (music)" Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia. 2008. Microsoft

Corporation. 26 Feb. 2009
<http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_701610421/Minimalism_(music).html>.

5. “Dan Flavin” Dan Flavin Biography. 2009. Dia Art Foundations. 26 Feb. 2009
<http://www.diabeacon.org/exhibs_b/flavin/#bio>.

6. “Brice Marden” Brice Marden Biography. 2009. Dia Art Foundations. 26 Feb. 2009
<http://www.diaart.org/exhibs/marden/coldmountain/>.

7. “Barnett Newman” Barnett Newman Biograpy. 2009. The National Gallery of Canada.
26. Feb. 2009 <http://cybermuse.gallery.ca/cybermuse/docs/bio_artistid3982_e.jsp>.