Name:________________________

ARTS 10 1ST QUARTER

Module 1: MODERN ART
Third Week: Abstractionism

Abstractionism
Another group of artistic styles emerged at the same time as the expressionist movement. It
had the same spirit of freedom of expression and openness that characterized life in the 20th century,
but it differed from expressionism in certain ways. This group of styles was known as abstractionism.
The abstractionist movement arose from the intellectual points of view in the 20th century. In
the world of science, physicists were formulating a new view of the universe, which resulted in the
concepts of space-time and relativity. This intellectualism was reflected even in art. While
expressionism was emotional, abstractionism was logical and rational. It involved analyzing,
detaching, selecting, and simplifying.
Grouped under abstractionism are the following art styles:

 cubism
 futurism
 mechanicalstyle
 nonobjectivism

Cubism
The cubist style derived its name from the cube, a three- dimensional geometric figure
composed of strictly measured lines, planes, and angles. Cubist artworks were, therefore, a play of
planes and angles on a flat surface. Foremost among the cubists was Spanish painter/sculptor Pablo
Picasso.
In earlier styles, subjects were depicted in a three-dimensional manner, formed by light and
shadow. In contrast, the cubists analyzed their subjects’ basic geometrical forms, and broke them up
into a series of planes. Then they re-assembled these planes, tilting and interlocking them in different
ways.

The Three Musician by Pablo

Picasso

Human figures as well were often represented with facial features and body parts shown both
frontally and from a side angle at once. This gave a sense of imbalance and misplacement that
created immediate visual impact. It also gave cubism its characteristic feeling of dynamism and
energy. To this day, variations of cubism continue to appear in many contemporary artworks.

Futurism
The movement known as futurism began in Italy in the early 1900s. As the name implies, the
futurists created art for a fast-paced, machine-propelled age. They admired the motion, force, speed,
and strength of mechanical forms. Thus, their works depicted the dynamic sensation of all these—as
can be seen in the works of Italian painter Gino Severini.

Armored Train Gino Severini,

1915 Oil on canvas

Mechanical Style
As a result of the futurist movement, what became known as the mechanical style emerged. In
this style, basic forms such as planes, cones, spheres, and cylinders all fit together precisely and
neatly in their appointed places.
This can be seen in the works of of Fernand Leger. Mechanical parts such as crankshafts,
cylinder blocks, and pistons are brightened only by the use of primary colors. Otherwise, they are
lifeless. Even human figures are mere outlines, rendered purposely without expression

The City Fernand Léger,

1919 Oil on canvas

Nonobjectivism
The logical geometrical conclusion of abstractionism came in the style known as
nonobjectivism. From the very term “non-object,” works in this style did not make use of figures or
even representations of figures. They did not refer to recognizable objects or forms in the outside
world.
Lines, shapes, and colors were used in a cool, impersonal approach that aimed for balance,
unity, and stability. Colors were mainly black, white, and the primaries (red, yellow, and blue).
Foremost among the nonobjectivists was Dutch painter Piet Mondrian

New York City Piet

Mondrian, 1942 Oil on
canvas
Assessment

Answer the questions below.

1. Explain the difference between expressionism and abstractionism.
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2. How did the cubists give a sense of dynamism and energy to their works?
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3. Who is considered the most famous abstractionist and cubist artist?
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4. Describe how each of the following styles reflected modern life:
a.futurism_________________________________________________________________________
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b.mechanicalstyle__________________________________________________________________
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c.nonobjectivism___________________________________________________________________
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Activity:Create a “Picasso”
1. Review the description of Picasso’s cubist style.
2. Based on this, plan a cubist artwork that you will create.
3. Prepare a magazine, assorted photographs, 1 sheet of bond paper, scissors, and glue.
4. Select a large photograph from the magazine and/or the other photos, and cut these up into
segments of different shapes and sizes.
5. Glue or paste the segments on the bond paper in a creative way, but with the image still
recognizable.
6. Give your cubist artwork a title.