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Abstract Paintings : The Reality of Abstract Art Philosophy

Published by Pagani May 7th, 2004 in Philosophy.

We’ve all heard the criticisms: “People paint abstracts because they can’t draw,” and “My four year old could have done that.” I even heard the art-nazi host of Oregon Art Beat, K C Cowan, make the former statement and she should know better than this! Of course, the fact that she hosts a show about art doesn’t mean she knows jack about art, does it? No, it’s just public television. Obviously she has no understanding of abstraction whatsoever, and that is truly pathetic.

I am not exclusively an abstract painter, but my abstract work is far and away the most difficult and challenging of my painting projects. Creating the exact work of my vision can be frustrating in the extreme, and anyone who says that I must do these difficult works because I can’t draw is an idiot - or at least knows nothing of my body of work.

Drawing is an entirely separate skill; what is required for abstraction is a new way of thinking. As for the halfwit who might say their kid could do it, I say, bring it on! People make statements like this can’t produce, because while anyone including your no-talent kid can slather some color on paper, it still doesn’t meet the criteria of good art until it is arranged and juxtaposed so as to produce an appropriate mind effect.

Now this is the key: If - and only if -abstraction is done very well, we have in abstract painting the purest and truest interface between visual arts and human consciousness. It is the bleeding-edge of art and science melded together. Most people don’t understand this: They may assume that if they don’t understand a work of art, there must be something wrong with it. But my knowledge of the workings of the human mind has led me to envision the interactive nature of visual input in the form of matrices of colors and shapes, with the brain - and thus human consciousness. You see, it isn’t what the painting “represents” that is important - unlike impressionism -but what it does.

Up until now, you didn’t know how or why abstract art occasionally induced strong emotional reactions. You may have dismissed this effect because you didn’t understand it. Now you are beginning to see the truth: Good abstract art forces the brain to create new neural pathways to try to fathom the unfathomable. To brain wave patterns emerge. The colors, the lines, and the patterns - all from seemingly beyond the world as it is understood - cause the activation of new neural pathways by the millions.

This is the fourth generation of art theory: a schema of intuitive action and juxtapositions of concrete patterns in a holistic approach resulting in a convergence of brain science and art - of architectures and spatial relationships with neurons and dopamine. It isn’t just art, it is mind programming. And that is what makes abstract art the most powerful force that the creative mind can unleash.

This is my unique discovery, unheard of in the world of art OR psychology — until now. When you hear this information someday from some inflated ego with a sheepskin diploma who tries to tell you he just figured this out, you’ll know from whence this information really came.

You can find further in-depth discussions about abstraction and my new theory elsewhere on this site, starting with the Abstract Paintings page.

THIS …is art.

– Chriss Pagani

9 Responses to “Abstract Paintings : The Reality of Abstract Art Philosophy”

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  1. 1 Jack Deth Aug 20th, 2004 at 11:14 am

    I found this site from another site. It’s easy to get lost on the net.

    Look, the previous poster is full of crap. While anyone can make random lines or splotches of colors, only an artist can coordinate colors and space to create a thing of beauty.

    You are right on, Pagani, when you talk about the power of abstract art. Authoritative types fear abstract art and want to destroy it. KEEP FIGHTING!

  2. 2 Michelle Jan 6th, 2006 at 7:46 pm

    WELL SAID!!! It can be incredibly frustrating to hear someone comment about how simple abstract is and anyone can do it. That is so untrue!! I have to agree with you that abstract painting is by far the most difficult to produce and coordinate and I’m speaking from my own experience.

  3. 3 Michael J. Longo Mar 17th, 2008 at 10:38 pm

    I am a second year student at York U, for visual arts; drawing and painting. The single largest problem with art education is caused by the modernist movement. Most Universities only teach abstract or conceptual art. This is truly pathetic, and I will tell you why. You have artists who are being forced to paint abstractly who have never been trained to draw what they see. It is the equivalent of a hockey player who does not know how to skate.

    I will be attending the Toronto Academy of Realist Art. They will provide me with formal art training that is lacking at the university level. I strongly suggest you google the Art Renewal Center; as Art Renewal is a 21st Century Art Movement while abstractionism was 20th century art movement.

    Simply put, not only is abstract art detrimental to young artists as it stunts their training, but it is indisputably no longer new. The 21st Century art world is moving back to representational art because it can more effectively communicate ideas that abstract art simply cannot do.

    Additionally, (and I am speaking from my University experience) nearly every student at my school who creates abstract paintings cannot draw. We’re talking 200+ “abstract” artists who can not draw out of maybe 202 abstract artists at my school. Look up Art Renewal. There are people today who are creating real art. Stop this oppressive abstract bullshit now.

    The Artist Replies:

    You make some interesting points. I agree about the importance of accurate drawing and I believe that it is part of the process of developing the mind of an artist - though not necessarily an end in itself. I love representational art as a personal matter. However, I think you need to take a step back and remind yourself that art is an aesthetic. You either like something or you don’t. It is not a guidepost to life nor is it sign of the apocalypse. Therefore if there is any “bullshit” out there, it is the idea that there is some grand higher purpose to which we all must aspire.

    Now we get into the problems, and they are many: I know you don’t want to hear it, but representational art has never been oppressed. It HAS (occasionally) fallen out of favor in part because there is so seldom anything that rises above the mass of millions of representational artists and paintings. But when did you ever see a mob gathered around a pile of burning landscape paintings, hmm? The idea that some type of art is being oppressed is one of those persecution-complex myths from which the unsuccessful suffer. My advice, therefore: if you love to paint people or landscapes or whatever, just do it and stop worrying about what others think.

    In reality, most galleries I visit are full of representational art. And as a personal observation, my own representational art outsells my abstract art by at least 10 to 1. There’s a simple reason: it is the easiest to sell. Everyone “gets” representational art. Even a low grade moron knows a pretty sunset when he/she sees it. In fact, there has NEVER been a time when representational art was NOT the “art of the masses.” That doesn’t make it good or bad, it just means that if you want to sell a lot of paintings, you need to be a representational artist. Finally, if you need further proof that oppression of representational art is myth, I will remind you that the richest living artist - indeed, the richest artist the world has EVER seen - is a representational artist; Thomas Kinkade. If that’s oppression, give me a heaping handful, thank you.

    Worst of all, however (and I will discuss this ONLY because you brought it up); the “art renewal” movement, of which I have been aware for decades, is far from the benign “values-oriented” art movement as it wishes to be portrayed. Rather, it is a complex anti-intellectual movement with strong (and extreme) political and religious overtones.

    Whether you prefer one kind of art over another is a matter of personal taste. When you insist on politicizing taste, as the art renewal movement does, you have entered a danger zone that is much scarier than you may imagine.

    As I’ve often said, if you ever wonder what is wrong with the world today, it may all be summed up in this; in much of the Western world, calling someone an intellectual is considered an insult.

    Thank you for bringing your unique perspective to this discussion. – Pagani

  4. 4 penciler Apr 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 am

    Abstract art is bullshit and don’t let anyone tell you different. An elephant can do it in less than five minutes. I know some people argue that the human brain is unfathomable. They say that just to make you feel superior to my elephant example. Painting does require real skills. Experience teaches you technique. Light and shadows are nothing but that but a skilled painter will not give two people examining his/her painting walk away with two different “interpretation” but a single concrete emotion. Splashing colors on top of each other is child’s play. That just makes people wonder what the hell you were thinking and you did it because you don’t know how to observe your own mind/emotion. Smoke some weed and get some real inspiration, because I believe bud helps you sslllooooww down, so you can examine yourself-your mind-your environment and your feelings. Before you argue about drug use, ancient cilivization used it to see ‘visions’ and drew that on the cave walls. Second: How many great painters where consider crazy? Art isn’t just about painting. How many musicians were high? Were they as good as the sober ones? They tapped into something that isn’t real and made it real through emotions. The Government can restrict that, but we’re just animals and after us is a beast, an elephant that does abstract ‘art’. My last thought: If you don’t want to do drugs then don’t sleep. Same effect. I bet you didn’t know that. Good day.

    [BLOG SPAM REMOVED]

    Clearly, you are not smoking ENOUGH weed. I mean, perhaps if you get high enough, you’ll finally grasp the true nature of art. Or not. Either way, however, I’ve covered this subject in a comprehensive manner so I’m not going to rehash it here. Someday, little one, - if you truly strive to transcend - you will know enough to discuss this subject with me. — Pagani

  5. 5 penciler Apr 4th, 2008 at 9:32 pm

    Not Enough weed? Damnit I knew that sack was to light,I should’ve known. Well Pagani, or should I call you big one, am I onto something or just stuck in a rut? Where do I find enlightenment to your great art?

    The Artist Replies:

    Do you really need to find enlightenment in art? Okay, the short version: There is a secret to all of this… but first, the Princeton definition of art: “The products of human creativity”; Or Wikipedia: “The term art is used to describe a particular type of creative production generated by human beings, and the term usually implies some degree of aesthetic value. An artist makes a work of art for various purposes, such as creating an experience for others or as part of a ritual.” - So whatever is art to the artist, IS art. The secret is coming up next…

    Abstract art uses shapes and negative space rather than representations of actual objects, hopefully in ways that cause your brain to take a second look as it tries to (and sometimes does) discern a particular meaning or form. So the secret of abstract art is that the very lack of readily definable meaning causes your brain to work a little harder - maybe use a few more neurons! - trying to interpret the “message.” Many art fans and perhaps even most abstract artists don’t get this, unfortunately.

    I admit that this neuron-baiting process doesn’t work that well in web images. But if you go to a gallery and look at some GOOD abstract art in person, you may find a startling effect. Therefore, to answer your question, enlightenment may be achieved by expanding your mind through the personal visual study of well-crafted abstract images. But I also know that abstract art which actually produces this effect may be hard to come by. If interested further, you may read my short article: The Meaning of Abstract Art.

    If you perused my site a bit more, you’d note that I have written about why most Modern Art is Crap - so we might be in partial agreement, but you need to UNDERSTAND the reason WHY it is crap.

    The problem isn’t with the concept of abstract art, for such art has an important place when you understand its nature and purpose as I have shown. The problem is that in recent times many artists have taken the route that I refer to as the BRASS BALLS approach to painting: Instead of working to produce pieces that expand the mind of the viewer, some lowlifes have been doing things like putting a single dot on a canvas and calling it “The Passion of Christ” or whatever - kind of daring you to “not get it.” I would STILL say that this is art, but in my opinion it is BAD art and closer to used car salesmanship than anything else.

    Then they paint the canvas red all over and call it “A Dozen Roses”. Again, it is still art but the function is questionable.

    The reason I think that my abstract art is better than most is because it isn’t “brass balls” abstract work but rather is produced from my deep and long-studied understanding of how visual edges, lines and visual fields interact with the neural wiring of the viewer, and how that interaction can work to produce non-standard and asymmetric brain effects. You can thank my degree from Western Medical College for that. :)

    Nothing here should be interpreted to suggest that representational art is a lesser art form or that it is in any way inferior to abstract art. Abstract and representational work simply have different purposes.

    BTW, I usually prefer a good bourbon. Your choice of the zacate ingles has its own unique and powerful mind altering effects as well but the policemen I see on a daily basis would not approve. — Pagani

  6. 6 penciler Apr 15th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    Lack of readily definable meaning…causing your brain to work harder…hmm bourbon…brass balls…funny curves and some cheap perfume. Woops lost my train of thought.
    I must understand good art. I love art just not abstract art because I see it as Brass Balls because, as you stated, that’s what they are. So as it turns out, abstract art is not readily available.
    I’m off to read your article. Should I take bourbon as shots or sip it?

    Whichever works for you. I like to mix it up a bit. As for abstract art and the brass balls approach, I don’t think this applies to all abstract work and I clearly think it doesn’t apply to my own work. For a non-me example of how abstract art can warp your neurons, do a search for Kandinsky on the ‘Net and look at some of his stuff. – Pagani

  7. 7 Pharmboy Jul 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 am

    I have repeatedly tried to “get” abstract expressionism. I am a NYer,so MOMA, The Whitney and others were always accessible. Stella, Ken Nolan, et. al., I have seen their stuff. Never liked it–the only exception were some big drippy canvasses by Barnett Newman at the Guggenheim that I thought were “pretty.” But nothing like what Hopper or Demuth can do forme–not even in the same universe.

    Look man,if you have to keep expaining and justifying it ain’t art.

    I DON’T have to explain it. I only provide information for those who might be interested. I think maybe you have tried too hard to “get” abstract art and not enough time experiencing it. For that is the point, you see; it is art to be experienced, not picked apart

  8. 8 Jim Sebor Aug 17th, 2008 at 1:57 pm

    Art is subjective. Those with influence, power and money are able to reach the public. They can promote and implant concepts, opinions and isms. To say people don’t like abstract art because they are too dumb to understand it seems a bit pretentious to me. They just don’t like it. There are, I’m sure, plenty of rocket scientists who don’t like it. Also you don’t need to be a genius to make it either. Every artists needs and wants to be appreciated, but to what degree? There are some of us who buy into the illusion created by profiteers as to what success is and what good art is or isn’t. Wouldn’t it be nice if people knew what they liked no-matter what anyone else said, big or small.? I personally like and dislike art of all isms.

    I didn’t say they were all too dumb. SOME of them are. Others are just ill-informed. It is fine if you decide that you don’t like abstract art having understood its nature and purpose. Deciding that you don’t like abstract art - or anything else - because you don’t understand it, however, is the definition of ignorance. If you are going to attack me, at least get your facts straight. –cp

  9. 9 O.L. Sep 25th, 2008 at 2:44 pm

    Abstract- Expression IS the highest form of the visual arts. Music, being the highest of all the arts.

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