Newman+Sublime

The Individual and the Social

The State of American Art

There is a pervasive pessimism regarding the future of American art, with current trends suggesting a decline; however, hope for revival exists, especially in cubist traditions.

Barnett Newman and the American Avant-Garde

Barnett Newman (1905-1970), in "The Sublime is Now," emphasizes the uniqueness of American art compared to European traditions. American avant-garde artists saw themselves as leaders in modern art's evolution, aiming to ground artistic expression in the American context.

The Greek Ideal of Beauty in European Aesthetics

The Greeks' concept of beauty has profoundly influenced European art. There exists a tension in European art between the pursuit of beauty and sublimity. Longinus struggled to reconcile non-Grecian art with Platonic views, addressing the exaltation of form.

Philosophical Struggles in Art

Philosophers like Kant and Hegel confused aesthetic experience by imposing formal models. Renaissance artists sought a new expression of Christian ideals through linear beauty, contrasting with Gothic views that celebrated ecstatic spiritual expression. Michelangelo viewed sculpture as the highest form of expressing sublimity.

Modern Art's Response to Beauty

The Impressionist Movement: This movement challenged norms of beauty but often redefined values instead of creating new experiences, using flawed strokes to highlight a conflict between traditional beauty and modern aesthetics.

The Quest for the Sublime in Modern Art: Modern artists, including Impressionists and Cubists, aimed to break away from established beauty discussions but often returned to beauty issues, with Picasso and Mondrian exemplifying this struggle. Mondrian, in particular, focused on geometric perfection rather than metaphysical exploration.

America’s Artistic Rebirth

American artists, free from European traditions, are redefining sublime art based on self-reflection rather than historical imitations. New art arises from genuine contemporary emotions.

Willem de Kooning's Perspective

Overview of De Kooning’s Work: De Kooning (1904-1997) evolved from European-influenced figure compositions to gestural abstract works post-WWII, exemplified in his piece Excavation, which reflects the existential anxiety of the period.

Talks and Contributions: In his lecture "A Desperate View," de Kooning discussed abstract art’s desperation and its engagement with fundamental human emotions as a response to historical constraints.

Art, Desperation, and Identity

De Kooning's view of desperation highlights the connection between art and existence, noting that artists’ insecurities influence their work, echoing themes present throughout art history from Michelangelo to modern times.