art history

Abstract Expressionism (Late 1940s-1950s) First American avant-garde movement  Action paintings: artist drips or splatters paint onto a surface Color Field Painting (1960s) Lacks aggression of Abstract Expressionism  Relies on subtle tonal values; variations of a monochromatic hue  Pop Art (1955-1960s) Materials of the everyday world, mass popular culture, celebrities, reaction against Abstract Expressionism  Happenings (1960s)  act of performance initially planned, but involves spontaneity, improvisation, and audience participation Site Art / Earthworks (1970s-1990s)  Interacts with the environment 

Woman, I. Willem de Kooning. 1950–1952 C.E. Oil on canvas. Took a number of years; surface consists of layers and layers; many textures; drippy/thin, thick/matte; his objective was not a finished product; process; quick brushstrokes; brushwork calligraphic, muscular, tough; garish colors; brilliant oranges, pinks, yellows; olive green feels really dissonant; artist is one of the central abstract expressionists Sacred art brought back to the 20th century, made profane; takes eroticized/sexualized images of women; overwhelming in size, fills canvas; artist had been trained in a traditional way; aggressive and energetic; bulging eyes, bared teeth; improvisation.  Great fierce teeth, huge eyes; blank stare, frozen grin; ambiguous environment; thick and thin black lines dominate; influenced by all kinds of female nudes Large bulbous breasts; satire on women; slashing of paint onto canvas; jagged lines create an overpowering image