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2/6 The Rules Of Abstraction With Matthew Collings

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg3oQ_OqQ_o&list=PLM4S2hGZDSE5SOht-nruKVOvuR5lrCw2T&index=1
First broadcast: Sep 2014.
Documentary in which painter and critic Matthew Collings charts the rise of abstract art over the last 100 years, whilst trying to answer a set of basic questions that many people have about this often-baffling art form. How do we respond to abstract art when we see it? Is it supposed to be hard or easy? When abstract artists chuck paint about with abandon, what does it mean? Does abstract art stand for something or is it supposed to be understood as just itself?

These might be thought of as unanswerable questions, but by looking at key historical figures and exploring the private world of abstract artists today, Collings shows that there are, in fact, answers.

Living artists in the programme create art in front of the camera using techniques that seem outrageously free, but through his friendly-yet-probing interview style Collings immediately establishes that the work always has a firm rationale. When Collings visits 92-year-old Bert Irvin in his studio in Stepney, east London he finds that the colourful works continue experiments in perceptual ideas about colour and space first established by abstract art pioneers such as Paul Klee and Wassily Kandinsky in the 1910s.

Other historic artists featured in the programme include the notorious Jackson Pollock, the maker of drip paintings, and Mark Rothko, whose abstractions often consist of nothing but large expanses of red. Collings explains the inner structure of such works. It turns out there are hidden rules to abstraction that viewers of this intriguing, groundbreaking programme may never have expected.

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48 thoughts on “2/6 The Rules Of Abstraction With Matthew Collings”

  3. the music and narration for Kandinsky is like you are uncovering a dangerous cult who do satanic rituals.. :p

  5. hi! i recently discovered this series and i like it very much!! im young and i enjoy making abstract art

    it’s really fascinating how one can express themselves beyond what reality depicts.

    thank you for this!! im now more inspired to do something i enjoy!

  9. As a student of the oldest waldorf-school (the alternative schools founded and initialized by Rudolf Steiner) in the world I wouldn't have expected to stumble upon Steiner in a BBC documentary…

  11. I think critics make attempt to read too much into artworks. I guess it is their job to do just that. Their criticism is in itself an added value to an artwork. However my personal opinion is if you like or enjoy to look at a picture and gives you vibes it means it works for you. If not maybe it will do for somebody else.🤔

  15. I see more and more artists wrapping themselves in plastic gloves so that their delicate little hands don't get dirty. Unless you work with corrosive materials, they just arn't necessary.
    Also – WHY RULES of abstraction? Every artist see's it his/her way and should develop that. Stop pidgeon holing everyone.

  16. I wish I had the full song list for this entire documentary. I love the song choices.
    Edit: nevermind, the songs are in the description.

  22. When I look at abstract art and modern painting styles like Surrealism, Cubism ect I get this feeling of complete satisfaction when I gaze at it. I might not know why I like it but I do.

  23. The best abstract art is the art created in a time when it was original, a complete break from the norm. I do not see abstract art that is truly original today. What makes art interesting is the artists personal, unique vision of reality, like the great impressionists. IMO

  24. I don't mean to be any offensive or anything I'm just asking a question for clarification. I really don't understand abstract art as the ones represented in the video; like is it that someone paints and sees what are the colors that he needs to put there that he feels go together to represent something that he had in mind or a feeling or are there rules for the diagonals, the shapes, the different strokes themselves and if there aren't how do people understand such art? I would really appreciate if someone explained.

  25. This is absolutely fascinating to me and can't wait to finish watching it all. I especially like the part where he compared the abstract art to music.
    I have synesthesia and I see numbers and music in colors. When I hear jazz or certain types of progressive rock music I see abstract images and colors in my mind..I don't only hear the music I see it in my mind ! For example when I hear Jimi Hendrix playing his electric guitar I see it like vivid colors and shapes of electric paint ..different kinds of textures and tones all twisted into chaotic yet in a structured form if that makes sense..much like abstract art…it is as if Jimi was painting with sound!
    At 43 years old I wanted to get me some acrylic paints and canvases and try to emulate what I heard and saw those musical colors and shapes in abstract paintings. This has been a very spiritual thing for me and I feel like it is what I was meant to do..I wonder if anyone here can relate to what I am talking about? Anyway hope that didn't sound too weird! lol

  27. It's always amazing to me how abstract artists (and I've made abstract pieces) always want to justify their art with theory. Basically it's emotional and sometimes pretty to look at. The meaning, although usually there is some meaning attributed by the author, is given to it by the viewer. I see George Washington's nose in that cloud. To me the "Fauvists" had a better grasp on art than any abstraction. But personal opinion. Nothing more, nothing less.

  28. I absolutely love abstract art but I have to admit, sometimes the language used to describe the process comes off like complete, made-up bullshit. Maybe we should talk about it less and just feel when we look at it. Enjoy the feeling. Maybe there are no words and trying to explain the process or art is just awkward nonsense. What the fuck do I know…

  29. I wanted to take this video seriously, but the music reminded me too much of the aliens teaching their musical language at the end of Close Encounters.

  32. You all sound like nutjobs trying to explain your lofty bollocks. You can like something just because you like it. You don't have to come across like a pretentious dick talking about it. Lol

  34. Collings is pertinent and articulate as ever on paintings and art. It is a pity we don't see him now on mainstream tv. His programs and interpretation of art and artists was always fresh and insightful.

  37. too much theory kills the art, thank god there is no such thing as Rules of abstraction.
    Just look at an old chinese painting, you will understand what is the meaning of abstraction.

  44. I am over 60 years old. No prior exposure to art before the Internet. Now someone cares enough about art to put it out there for those like me to view. I thank you one and all each and every time I am able to stop my very busy life for art. It is very important to me these golden moments of time spent on art. The moments spent on Utube for art. I am a farmer.

  45. Thank you so much for these very interesting lectures on abstract art – it has been very informative and a very inspiring præsentation

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