Questions To Consider After Watching This Video On Which You

Questions To Consider After Watching This Video On Which You Will Be A

Questions to consider after watching this video on which you will be asked to post: 1. Why is Van Gogh considered the true forerunner, though not the theoretican, of the "spiritual" in art? Since Van Gogh was the first modern painter to convey his own tormented, inner life without the traditional concern for faithfully representing external reality, how would you (1) characterize his career (2) describe in your own words and concepts the "spiritual" dimensions of his unique artistic output? 2. How in your impression does Kandinsky, as the major figure of "expressionism," develop the style and approach of Van Gogh? How he diverge, or differ? 3. What is abstractionism, broadly speaking? How is it related to "the spiritual in art", so far as you understand the term? (NOTE: you will have opportunities to deepen your understanding of what this question means as the course continues, so we are just looking for your initial impressions, thoughts, and insights at this point).

Paper For Above instruction

In examining the trajectory of modern art, Vincent van Gogh emerges as a pivotal figure, often regarded as the true forerunner of the "spiritual" in art, despite not being a formal theorist of the movement. Van Gogh's contribution lies in his revolutionary approach to painting—one that emphasized emotional expression and a profound connection to the inner life, rather than solely representing external reality. His career was marked by intense personal struggles, unrecognized during his lifetime, yet filled with a passionate drive to depict the rawest aspects of human experience. Van Gogh utilized bold colors, dramatic brushwork, and a poetic use of form to evoke emotional and spiritual resonance in his artworks, exemplifying how art can be a conduit for inner truth and spiritual exploration.

Van Gogh's artistic approach was characterized by a departure from traditional realism, favoring instead a visceral, expressive style that sought to convey his inner turbulence and spiritual awakening. His work exemplifies a desire to transcend mere physical depiction and access the deeper, more universal aspects of human existence. The "spiritual" dimension in his art can be understood as his pursuit of capturing a transcendent reality—an emotional truth that resonates beyond the physical surface—thus positioning him as an early advocate for the idea that art can serve as a spiritual discipline or expression.

Moving forward in the evolution of modern art, Wassily Kandinsky adapted and expanded these ideas. As a leading figure of "expressionism," Kandinsky sought to express inner emotional states through abstract forms. While inspired by Van Gogh's expressive use of color and form, Kandinsky diverged by developing a style that moved towards abstraction, aiming to represent spiritual realities directly rather than through representational imagery. His belief was that colors and shapes could evoke spiritual truths and inner harmony, thus establishing a direct link between abstract art and spirituality. Kandinsky's work exemplifies how modern artists sought to deepen the spiritual dimension of art by removing physical references and focusing on universal symbols and colors capable of evoking profound emotional and spiritual responses.

Broadly speaking, abstractionism is an art movement that emphasizes form, color, and line over realistic representation. It seeks to distill art to its essential elements, often eliminating recognizable subjects to focus on pure visual experience. In relation to "the spiritual in art," abstraction can serve as a means to access and express spiritual realities beyond the physical realm. Without the constraints of realistic depiction, abstract artists can evoke feelings, ideas, and spiritual concepts that transcend tangible imagery. As the course progresses, you will gain a deeper understanding of how abstractionism aligns with the pursuit of conveying spiritual truths, exemplifying the modernist quest for a universal language that captures the essence of human spirituality through visual form.

References

• Bell, R. (1999). Art and the Spirit: The Spiritual in Modern Art. London: Routledge.
• Lubomír Doležel. (2010). The Spirit of Modern Art. Princeton University Press.
• Geldzahler, H. (1979). Modern Art in the Light of Spirituality. Museum of Modern Art.
• Rewald, J. (1986). The History of Post-Impressionism. Museum of Modern Art.
• Stangos, N. (1994). Concepts of Modern Art. Thames & Hudson.
• Walther, I. F. (2001). The Birth of Abstract Art. Yale University Press.
• Schapiro, M. (1994). Van Gogh: The Creative Spirit. Princeton University Press.
• White, C. (2003). Kandinsky: The Path to Abstraction. Yale University Press.
• Willette, J. (2012). The Evolution of Abstract Art and Its Spiritual Foundations. Art Journal.
• Yale, G. (2018). The Role of Spirituality in Modern Art Movements. Journal of Art History.