Abstract Art + Abstraction = Art for Everyone

Abstract Art + Abstraction as Seen through Cubism and Expressionism

To do that, we must define what an abstract art is first. A lot of people perceive it as a vague concept that cannot be held down in a definition. While the last statement maybe true to some extent, this particular form can be better understood with the use of the term representation. This holds true for any form, actually.

But when it comes to abstract, this representation becomes inaccurate in the sense that an artist can represent a particular object in a different way. He may represent it differently by changing the object's form, shape and color through exaggeration and simplification.

There are two types of abstract art that would help us understand this concept further and this is cubism and expressionism.

Cubism, as the term implies, is about structure. This may seem contradictory to the very nature of abstract art as an 'inaccurate representation' but, again, it goes back to Picasso's statement that art always starts with something. In this case, whatever, object or form an artist chooses to represent must be treated or viewed in proper perspective so every side is directed to a central point. Emphasis is placed on color and shapes so the canvass would come alive as a two-dimensional surface.

Expressionism, on the other hand, is feelings or emotions imprinted on art. Here, nature and everyday objects are used to express high levels of an emotion. Human beings portrayed as skeletons and flower petals as knives are some of the more common examples of this type. It as personal as it can get and this is abstract at its best.