In what ways did the zeitgeist of cold war america actually influence Essay

In what ways did the zeitgeist of cold war america actually influence the work of the Abstract Expressionist Painters - Essay Example Abstract Expressionism was inspired by the surrealists of Europe who adopted automatism in art, especially in painting. This advanced form of art painting was based on the instinct that art products are irrational and unpremeditated accidents that took a refined form in America during the Cold War. Abstract Expressionist Painters like Jackson Pollock separated themselves from contemporary paintings and invoked a reason to draw unrecognizable images that depicted a particular state of mind. Thus the art forms took shape from the chance and impulse of the person (creator) and created value for itself. This subconscious method of drawing was epitomized by Jackson Pollock by abandoning normal equipments for painting (Strickland, C. & Boswell, J. 1992 p.158). Jackson Pollock was of the view that Abstract Expressionism made energy visible through mural sized paintings that reflected the painter’s psychic state when the painting was created. Therefore new techniques were used to meet new demands by not using contemporary materials like paint brushes, easel, artistic method of pouring or the use of palette and believed in spreading paint on raw canvas or on the floor (Strickland, C. & Boswell, J. 1992 p.159). According to Jackson Pollock Abstract Expressionism paintings are done after a period of meditation and preparation. The painting is started soon after the thought by walking around the canvas and sometimes on the canvas and by dancing on them. The creation of art also included pouring of paint directly from cans or by dropping it on the canvas. The articles used to paint a picture sometimes included cigarette butts, keys, caps and combs that added to the private and dense character of the picture. Pollock’s strong personality, method of painting and innovative techniques is clearly evident in the film Namuth (portraiture of Jackson Pollock’s paintings) (Doss, E p.340). The paintings of Pollock

Community College of Denver Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Community College of Denver - Essay Example Additionally, it was considered that Science Building would â€Å"physically and visually connect the Auraria campus to the greater Denver community†, so the â€Å"building’s floor-to-ceiling windows† were designed accordingly – to attract passers-by to come in and see what is inside (Wausau Group 1). Thus, in short, the building was supposed to perform a connection between beauty and science. And Donald Lipskis sculpture was called to embody this connection. Referring to the idea, Lipski noted that the common feature between artists and scientists is their â€Å"passion for discovery†, which â€Å"just takes different paths†. The artist believes the â€Å"public institutions of higher education should emphasize and include culture at every opportunity† (Wiebesiek). Psyche is 10 feet high and about 14.5 feet across butterfly sculpture made of steel, resin and glass. It has two pairs of wings – the 8 feet across top wings and 6 feet across bottom wings. Psyche consists of black metal frame which outlines the form of a sculpture with its wings covered with stainless steel net, from where 10,000 test tubes filled with liquid yellow, orange and red acrylic resin are hanging. Donald Lipski explained that test tubes â€Å"are among the most basic and familiar tools of science† (Wiebesiek), which are utilized in medicine as well as physics or chemistry. Moreover, the usage of test tubes in this project is rather symbolic – it indicates the sculpture is not some separate item of design but the one that, in its structure, reflects scientific atmosphere of a place. Hanging at 60 º angle, the butterfly slowly drifts in the air, moved by the air flows of air-conditioning system. While moving and sharing its various shades colors all around, the sculpture resembles a â€Å"monumental stained glass window† (CCI), causing an awesome impression and excitement. From Greek the word â€Å"psyche† can be