Read the following quotes:

“It [abstract art] should be enjoyed just as music is enjoyed – after a while you may like it or you may not.” — Jackson Pollock (American expressionist artist 1912–1956)

“There is no abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” — Pablo Picasso (Spanish artist and painter, 1881–1973)

“Abstract art: a product of the untalented sold by the unprincipled to the utterly bewildered” — Al Capp (American Cartoonist, 1909–1979)

“The more horrifying this world becomes, the more art becomes abstract.” — Ellen Key (Swedish writer, 1849–1926)

Part 1

As the four quotes above indicate, abstract art has created many controversial topics about what it is or if it can be termed art.

• Why do you think that many abstract art works are criticized?
• What is your opinion about “abstract” art?
• Do you agree or disagree with any of the quotes above by the three artists?

Part 2

If you had a choice of having a painting from the styles of Realism, Impressionism, Art Nouveau, Abstract, or Avant-Garde, which style would you choose and why? Discuss with 2 or more classmates their preference for art and relate your opinion about your assessment of the particular style.

References

Capp, A. (n.d.). Al Capp quotes. Retrieved from the Think Exist Web site:http://thinkexist.com/quotation/abstract_art-a_product_of_the_untalented_sold_by/163646.html

Key, E. (n.d.). Ellen Key quotes. Retrieved from the Think Exist Web site:http://thinkexist.com/quotation/the_more_horrifying_this_world_becomes-the_more/205021.html

Picasso, P. (n.d.). Pablo Picasso quotes. Retrieved from the Think Exist Web site:http://thinkexist.com/quotation/there_is_no_abstract_art-you_must_always_start/143267.html

Pollock, J. (n.d.). Jackson Pollock quotes. Retrieved from the Think Exist Web site:http://thinkexist.com/quotation/it-abstract_art-should_be_enjoyed_just_as_music/304370.html