Minimalism

I agree that it is much harder to work with less....or in my case, to pare down to essence, wiping away all that is not necessary...that is how I paint.
Studying Mies van der Rohe has had a great impact on my process.
I will not be posting any images for one simple reason....the moderators have sent out a mixed message and I can get into trouble without even trying.

I worked for one of the top minimalist painters in the world and I would say to him that the thing about minimalism is that there always seems to be something missing

Lol Robert, that made me chuckle :-)

I love minimalism. I was never a fan until my time in art school and then I fell in love with it. Your piece Ken, at the very first impression, made me think of a belt and buckle and the black top line makes me think of a train or subway going by with the little squares being windows. I like what you've done, and I know this sounds crazy, but I almost feel like too much is going on since I'm seeing something in it. Usually I see nothing when it comes to minimalism...hard to explain.

All I know is, the black one is winning. :)

Ah...good point, so perhaps it's not true Minimalism....so Robert, what would you classify this as if you had to? Just abstract?

Seriously, I don't feel qualified to render a judgment beyond what it means to me. To me, the ultimate minimalism would be when you convey what you want (feeling, message, or maybe just form) with exactly the amount of detail required. No more, no less. I think of it like writing, were you remove and edit and hone your message.

So, were you to accept my definition, only you could judge if what you have is minimalistic for your purpose and/or satisfaction.

In this case, I think the title plays a role in conveying a feeling and a flash of action and movement.

@Marlene. Yes, I know what you mean. Although I think what JC came up with the other day made sense. It's more dumping images to be dumping them (I guess for SEO purposes) than as a part of a discussion.

I don't have much up that I think of as minimalistic, but here's one.

Thanks. I think that is the approach I've been taking which is trying to bring out an expression with less...to boil down the truth to its simplistic form. Zenism? Interesting you named your work as such. I did some more study and my work wouldn't fall into the classic definition historically I guess. Perhaps Post-minimalism? Maybe, Kenism?

What I've been experimenting with is space as a large element in my work. As in my paintings, I am trying to speak less and mean more...not so easy in either case.

There is no mixed message whatsoever on my part, I have updated the no new image thread post with my interpretation of what they are and are not.

No one will get “in trouble” for posting images in a thread that asks to help define minimalism if that image illustrates a point. Even if I think it is an image thread, then I will simply close the thread with explanation.

Now, if someone chooses to back seat moderate, or post a new thread after I closed one then that can get them some time off.

And I will add, simply posting an image in a thread about minimalism with no expounding text will get that post deleted.

I like it, Ken.

I'm drawn to minimalism, and I'm drawn to complex, convoluted, busy art both equally, and I think they are both difficult to manage well.

regarding you piece, Ken, what I see is two approaches and the one in the foreground is the preferred/chosen.
I am not familiar with your reference as mentioned in your description....perhaps you could explain?

Edited.

This is the first in a series of the beauty i found in the streets of the city, looking DOWN. Most people don't even know what this is....just a small section of a painted stripe in a parking lot.
and then came this:

I kind of feel that minimalism should not only create emotions, but leave the viewer with different possible stories to take away from it.



Not only does this create different emotions, but also a question with many possible stories the viewer can leave with.

I would call it graphic minimilism Ken

Edited.

Hi Ken, great topic. Minimalism was coined around 1950 and is defined as being void of clutter....paraphrasing.

Personally I love the idea of less is more, hard to do when introducing colour... I agree with Robert... graphic minimalism would best describe your piece and yes being in the black is always considered better then in the red....

What I find intriguing is the use of minimalism in photography.... not as a blank monochrome image but a story with the least amount of visual words... a message of simplicity.

Cheers, Barbara
Saint Jean Arts

Obviously I have much to learn. According to one source, the "Minimalists attempted to avoid metaphorical associations, symbolism, and suggestions of spiritual transcendence" by using stark lines, fewer colors, and geometric shapes. By this definition, I'm off the mark as the shapes I chose have too much variance. Again, this is the year 2014, and art keeps involving. It's interesting that because Minimalists were rebelling against meaning in their art (it seems in much of what I've read (whether accurate I don't know)), they even found that having a name for the movement and classifying their work was unappreciated. So, I guess Antonin you are right.

Ain't it funny? I just edited my answers a minute ago.

I am not formally trained in the arts, so have no real idea what minimalism is or isn't. Below is what I "think" it is. Am I on the right line of thought?

Beautiful JC...

here is one of mine of the same thought.



Cheers, Barbara

Hi Ken....for insight, have a look at Lenore's group...Minimalsm...lots of great examples....though the originators of Minimalism decried being labelled, yes, their premise has evolved. Personally, I love Minimalism...and for me, the art has always been a challenge to accomplish....some think graphic images hold their own as Minimalism, probably because graphics can be so simple,beautifully uncluttered images. For me, it is a way of expressing emotion with minimal visuals....a step beyond simplicity towards painting (or photographing) an idea, with minimum visuals. I have a few,lol.

Hartmut understood this best.."saying so much with so little"



Featured in NonRepresentational Group



I tried to find your "A Walk In The Park With Vivian", Ken....great minimalism.

Here's one from the specialist, Lenore....

Another defintion:

"Minimal Art is a school of abstract painting and sculpture where any kind of personal expression is kept to a minimum, in order to give the work a completely literal presence. The resulting work is characterized by extreme simplicity of form and a deliberate lack of expressive content (source).

The central principle is that not the artist’s expression, but the medium and materials of the work were its reality (source). In other words: a work of art should not refer to anything other than itself (source). As minimalist painter Frank Stella once said: “What you see is what you see” (source)."

So I would say in it's truest sense, much of the work including mine would not fall into this category as there is a lot of expression here....perhaps then this is post-minimalism or something completely different. THAT SAID, there is a minimalistic approach to the works here in this thread...no?

Yes!

si

I think that is a beautiful example of minimalism JC.

It is definitely more difficult to portray art with less elements, every time I have taken a dive into...I find it very restrictive, and requires a lot more though from me.
But then there is the pleasure of the accomplishment.

I was exploring minimalist approaches to monochromatic geometric shapes. It was an interesting evolution.

Towards the center of this gallery, http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/angelina-vick.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=238679

But a sample of the evolution:


I was looking at your piece Ken, I liked that the edges were not perfectly straight...but it's also so jagged...I think it's kinda distracting.
Without the title tell me so, I doubt I would come to the conclusion that they are ramps. I think of curves in ramps.
I like the limited color palette.
My impression would be that one journey goes and and one goes nowhere, based on choices.

Viv..I was hoping you'd join the conversation. I hadn't thought about "Monday in the Park with Vivian"....I figured there was too much here to be included.



The two below I think might work as more minimalistic images:



Simple in that there are two colors, and one shape, however, the shape is a bit "busy" for traditional Minimalism I think.



This one is also I think simple, but too many colors now that I understand more of the classic definition of minimalism.

Thanks Angelina...first, as I learn more about the movement...cleaner lines would have been more spot on, but I love Controlled Chaos (being a lover of Jazz and a musician) so I seem to gravitate to the jagged unformed lines (part of my cut-out process as well). And to be honest, I could have come up with a better name...actually I'm open to a rewrite..any suggestions?

There are a lot of interpretations of minimalism.

In essence, it's stripped down. How stripped down? Color and shape?

Simple and minimalist aren't exactly the same thing...but that's just what I think.
If it conveys nothing...what did the work achieve?

If it's done with intent Minimalism is awesome.

Rewrite: Flight 9.


Minimalism in sculpture:

It's great seeing the various interpretations of minimalism in this thread.
The thing I love about minimalism is it can give one freedom to interact with the art, to ponder, to daydream

Any know much about "post-minimalism"...I was trying to understand what I was reading....what I got out of it, like much of the history of art, each generation departs from the previous, or at least makes some sort of alteration. What I took away was that some felt that the truest form of Minimalism was too absent of thought, expression, so those seeking freedom in the absence of noise and confusion, adopted the minimalistic approach of less, while still interjecting meaning and expression. Some more thoughts...bottom line is its all about freedom.

I'll check out the Minimalism group..thanks.

Viv...I loved your example "Abstract for Viv" Here's one similar...hmmm, so I'm not the only one that you inspire huh?



I didn't include this in my gallery for minimalism, again due to it having a lot of texture, but I was still trying to make use of space.

My view of minimalism. Let the empty space do the talking.

Well spoken Antonin!

using 3d digital software I use basic shapes to create my version of minimalism. Here are just a few examples.

If asked for an example from my own I would post this. The large area of space in one color and the single subject make it minimal, although the subject is repeated in the shadow and reflection. The sand, water and sky are in this, the sand beneath the thin sheet of water and the sky reflected by the water.

I am the Queen of the Essence of the Opposite of Minimalism. But I love it and keep trying.

it's was all part of what was called reduction in modern art ... it didn't just show up one day as minimalism

At first, this image was lines only. I added sky. It get more power now...maybe less minimalism.

Robert, thanks for the input....perhaps that is what I've been after all along "reduction" in what i've done before....while I enjoy managing chaos from time to time, I feel like I have the need to go Zen and rake some sand....




I have been in my personal live trying to reduce chaos....to get to the core of things, and eliminate that which is not beneficial.....forcing myself to focus on one or two elements, expanding my space.

I love the idea of reducing chaos.....and RJ, yes, it should be better understood that minimalism answered a need and evolved from that.....not an overnight 'success'.........doesn't minimalism sweetly answer so many questions, via intelligent simplification !!!!
I'm a texture addict, Ken, so, even with texture, I'd include the image within the minimalism oeuvre...........that's just me.
It matters ? Maybe not, really.

When I first laid eyes on your off ramp, no doubt it is graphic minimalism and it could also be abstract minimalism. Everyone's examples are quite impressive examples. JC's photo is a beauty and in nature its sometimes deliberate or by accident. In photos its the subject matter and crucial for framing the image. Yet, there comes along a photo which represent color, shape, design, would you know what it is when first viewing it. I had always thought it resembled the famous artist Georgia O' Keeffe . Its an illuminated paper lamp shade. The second photo would appear to be minimalism but may not be because there are more components to the overall photo. it is an abstract but I would not consider it minimalism but to a trained observer the second photo would classify as minimalism, the third photo is questionable...the angle, the placement of the chairs against the wooden round circle....

I submitted this photo in the minimalism group not long after I became a member, a while had passed and when I signed on to Fine Art America that day to my amazement the group administrator Lenore Seymor chose my photo and featured it as photo of the day in the group Mimimalism I was in tears, I had always questioned this particular photo and never never actually looked at the photo from her point of view. I felt genuine honor for my photo to be chosen and recognized and being among all the other masterful minimalism photos in the group.



Below is the quote Lenore administrator of The Best Of Minimalism. A quote for A Shade Of Illumination.

This is stunning work! Outstanding and excellent example of minimalism, with great color combinations and shapes. Instant v/f and my Pick of the Day in the Minimalism in Photography group discussion.

http://fineartamerica.com/groups/1-minimalism.html?tab=overview



Ken, I see you're a member of this group, and glad to see your work there.....and judging by the diversity of entries, it's good to know how artists themselves see their work. Lots of good images to study........



This took 2nd place in the Minimalism group "One Solid Color" contest.........

This is Lenore's great Best of Minimalism Group link for painters.,, fyi

http://fineartamerica.com/groups/painting-best-of-minimalism-in-painting-or-digital-painting.html

Winner: Best of Minimalism Art, January 2014.........

Hello Vivian, congrats, and I like that Head Shot......if that were a photo I do not think it would work, as minimalism would you agree with that.....

@Ken, after viewing your image quite a few times, I would have to say as is its an abstract,,,,,,,if the black line were removed and just the red, would that turn that piece into a minimalism as well.

Fell off my chair.....Marlene finally discovered capitals.....:)

Minimalism can be a very powerful means to communicate with....

painting in Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Ireland and England in a few weeks time....

Hope you've all outlived the egg this last weekend....

Thanks re the headshot..Michael........no, not minimalism, I agree, but am having fun morphing my own image, lol

But, of the two above.....minimalism? I think you raise a great point....minimalism is surely abstraction? Think not.....agree? Complex, isn't it!

enver,i got a surprise package of them and used them all up in this thread.....i'm so sorry there are none left..thanks for your wonderful surpirse gift, much appreciated. good to see you.
please don't fall off your chair or i will have to stop using punctuation and spell check as well.

I love minimalism too but it is the most difficult style for me to create. I like the idea of it being connected with Zen, an understanding of yourself. But, as Ken said, this is probably off the mark too. Minimalism always makes me stop and think especially when trying to create it.
I have had some interesting comments on this picture.

I think the toughest thing about minimalism, is that it is a hit or miss form, in that it has to hit the potential buyer just right, or it is totally gone. Even with other forms, you have so much to work with, that it can grab the buyer in many ways, minimalism does not.
I know even myself, just as with anyone, I'll look at a piece, and wonder what? Then other pieces I'll look at and be just blown away by it. And this can happen with a collection of one person's work, just as easy as with a number of people's works. So it is much more tougher to do; because you have less to work with. But to those that can, I feel they have not just the right eye, but the talent for it as well.

The buyer has absolutely nothing to do with art and should have little bearing on the direction you take in your work

Robert, the Buyer has everything to do with if it sales or even likes it or not. Yes you must follow your own road, no matter what a buyer says, because there will always be another buyer.

Robert -
I couldn't agree more.
That said, I do not sway to what is fad or popular and I think most "artists" don't either.
I do what I do for me - if a buyer likes it enough to purchase it makes my day because someone liked it enough to hang it.
I have never cared for doing what other people like or buy unless a commission is involved!

I love to look at minimalism sometimes and have considered dipping a few toes into the stream.
My problem is I over think when I paint or alter photography, and will look for the details when they aren't there ;)

--Donna Proctor

Thanks all...I'm going to let Off Ramp evolve (experiment with variations on the theme) and yes, not Minimalism if we're talking about the classic definition of the movement, although I do believe it counts as a post-minimalism piece. ? I don't think minimalism is abstract per se because you can have Still Life Minimalism for example a white background and a single blue bottle in the center.

Vivian, I love the red door. Yes, very much minimalism.

Minimalism has evolved to be a real pairing down to essentials. If I had chosen 1 element in my opening example, that would have been a closer example...say the red line as Michael has suggested that would have hit it on the mark.....

BTW...I need help with that title, frankly it isn't working....I could use some suggestions...here's one to start "Not Minimalism" by Ken Walker LOL

Dear Ken...something at the start.....



Great Reflections On Life .... Searching for the Fountain of Youth

http://fineartamerica.com/contests/at-world-s-end--searching-for-the-fountain-of-youth.html?tab=leaderboard

Good Luck everyone!

Cheers,V



p.s. You would have thought was very ... very.. "easy"..:)

Having nothing to say in an image and minimalism are different things.

Ken,
did I miss your answer about how this piece is connected to the music your referenced?

Antonin - it's for Ken. :)..something at the start.....
and very ... very.. "easy"..:)



minimal effort for self-expression ......



but this image requires unlimited imagination :) Cheers,V

Marlene...no you didn't really miss it...this time I couldn't come up with name....I think this time I just pulled it out of a dark hole LOL. Still need a good name...I hate using untitled...maybe I should just do that.

I liked "off ramp".

I like this thread, thank you. Just joined and am looking forward to communication with other artists. I work in paper cutting. As far as minimalism, the more I cut away--the less paper there is---the more ornate the piece becomes. I'm fascinated by differences in minimalism in materials, minimalism in labor, and minimalism in what a piece actually offers. Papercutting pushes the edge between image and sculpture, between seen and unseen (light & shadow, form & absence).

Where do minimalism and Mihaly Czikszentmhalyi's "State of Flow" intersect? I think the single-minded immersion in the process of creation he describes relates to minimalism in the way the ego doesn't have room to be conscious of itself... and so the result is a piece with room for others to live.

Thanks for reading.

The thing about minimalism in relation to Csikszentmihalyi's theory of "Flow" for me, is that the state of timelessness he speaks of can be rather short, whereas in the more complex and organized chaos of my busy work, that sensation or non-sensation can last for what seems like, forever…

.

.

Minimalism as interval ...respite.





~ Carmen Hathaway

I like that Ed....Minimalism as it relates to the flow of time..hmm. I love discussions of time. I remember reading an article discussing one theory that stated that the flow of time is an illusion. Time is a single event. It just is. That we can't take it all in at once creates the flow of time. The example they gave was a complex tapestry. The tapestry is the whole of time. One event. But because it's so complex, we experience each nuance as our brains registers them. Each movement from one experience, one feeling, one thought becomes "time". Interesting article. So would Minimalism then express one single thread of the tapestry?

Marlene,

pity about those caps running out...we could have had a classic case of maximilism but...

next time maybe....

:)

To Keep this great thread going I thought I would add one of my Minimal Paintings.... just uploaded.

Cheers, Barbara