The Oxford English Dictionary gives this definition Abstract • adjective /abstrakt/ 1 theoretical rather than physical or concrete. 2 (of art) achieving its effect through colour and shapes rather than attempting to represent recognizable reality.
Often we hear people ask what Modern, Conceptual or Abstract art means. Good art, though it is entirely up to the individual, may move people to feel or think something but like music it doesn’t have to be about anything.
Just as music may not be about anything concrete (and may be one of the original forms of Abstract art). People can still enjoy listening to it without understanding or even caring about its meaning
Though the title of a piece of Abstract art or music may suggest something to the listener it is not important and it’s mostly left up to the imagination of the individual to make an interpretation or just to enjoy in it an emotional way. Abstract Art and music can convey meaning in an emotional or thought provoking manner
Many abstract artists are reluctant to even talk about the meaning of their work and I feel there is justification in this. While other Abstract artists are happy to gush on about what they do and it does help to sell their work. An explanation makes the work more accessible. As it appears that Abstract artist has some philosophy about their work and a reason for doing it that way. This may be a sign of artistic integrity and can make it more believable to the viewer or buyer when it is explained to them. It also becomes more of a conversation piece and justifies the expense of what is a real luxury item.
Sometimes the title gives a lot importance to the work. Damien Hirst for example, though as a vegetarian I find his early work repulsive I was intrigued by his titles. Other Abstract artists Rothko for one gave their paintings a number or some leave them untitled.
Personally I prefer it when an Abstract Artist makes the effort to give the piece a title. As Abstract Expressionist Artist Muge Demir says ' If a picture can say a 1000 words a relevant title is a brief synopsis'
Giving, what the artists perceives as, a relevant title to an Abstract painting does not force the viewer to make a particular interpretation but the artist may want to make a suggestion or to give some clue which might otherwise be missed.
Regarding whether or not Art needs to look nice well obviously not but for the average Art buyer it is quite important. Not many people would want Tracy Emins unmade bed in the middle of their living room or Damien’s mother and child divided. But who knows in 50 years it might be as common as Pollok is today.
Speaking of Jackson I was very disappointed when I went to his exhibition at Tate Britain a few years ago. His paintings seemed very dull and colours muddy. Maybe it's because of the paint he used. I think he used house paint. Can you imagine not painting your woodwork for 50 years? They don’t seem to have aged well.
I felt the same when I went to the Miro show at the Pompidou. His paintings seemed to lack the vibrancy that I was expecting and when I saw the recently found sketches for his work it took away the sense of spontaneity in his Art for me. I could say the same about Kandinsky. Though I’m impressed by his book ‘Concerning the Spiritual in Art’ I feel there was too much planning in his work. When it comes to Abstract art I feel more drawn to the Abstract Expressionists make it up as you go along, spontaneous approach.
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James Thorn
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