By Mali Martel Simonetti
Art, being a profoundly subjective field of study, invites a kaleidoscope of approaches and perspectives from artists around the globe. According to Edgar Degas, a 19th-century Artist “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see”. As said by French-American artist Louise Bourgeois, “Art is a way of recognizing oneself, which is why it will always be modern”. While scholars may agree on art’s significance in relation to humans, there’s very little consensus on how to define it. Considering this ambiguity, however, we may be inclined to ask why some people insist that certain art styles should be valued less than others. In particular, we may want to ask why minimalism is so devalued in comparison to expressionism.
But what makes Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism so different? Why is Minimalism often considered to be outside the realm of art? And what is the true significance of these foreign terms?
Minimalism
To most people, the concept of minimalism isn’t completely unheard of and is often seen in interior design. Nowadays, it is misinterpreted and commonly referred to as ‘Modern art’. An art form often considered devoid of what critics may call conventional artistic elements, these can include landscapes, portraits, and vibrant colours. It is even sometimes described as “emotionless” and “cold”. Minimalist art is an extension of an abstract concept that art has its own reality. It is a modernist art movement that began in the late 1950s and deviated from the expressive style of the time. This means it doesn’t attempt to imitate nor represent the natural world. Minimalist artists wish to provoke responses from the audience simply from what meets the naked eye, whether it’s material and medium, form or colours. American painter and minimalist, Frank Stella expressed it as “What you see is what you see”. Minimalism is often sought after for its simplicity, truth, harmony, and what some people describe as “true” beauty — presenting an unostentatious appearance and frequently incorporating simple geometric patterns and shapes.
Image: “Jacques le fataliste”, Frank Stella, 1974
Expressionism
Unlike Minimalism, which seeks to strip away excess to find purity in form, Expressionism embraces vivid colours, exaggerated forms, and emotional depth. It most commonly explores subjective emotions, spiritual themes, connections and creative visions. The realities expressed are a dramatic representation of the artist’s inner feelings. The movement began in 20th-century Germany with the influence of post-impressionist artists, Vincent Van Gogh and Edvard Munch and expressive Germanic religious art. German expressionist art groups “Die Brüke” (The Bridge) and “Der Blaue Reiter” (The Blue Rider) wished to take their art beyond literal depictions. The concept of the artworks rapidly prospered throughout Europe and was taken up by, for example, Austrian artists Oskar Kokoschka and Robert Delaunay from France. Succeeding the world wars, Expressionist art was developed in the U.S. and became increasingly abstract, birthing a new form of the movement i.e. ‘Abstract Expressionism’. During the 1980s, neo-expressionists revived expressive techniques in oppositional responses to the newly prevalent Minimalist movement.
Image: Untitled, Die Brüke
The Big Debate: Can Minimalist Art Be Considered Art?
Minimalist Art definitely stirs up some heavy debate. Not everyone is on board with its objectives but some dedicate their life to it. But does its criticism make it any less of an art form? It is argued that the reduction and simplicity can lead to a sense of emptiness. Critics question whether the works are able to resonate with viewers on an emotional level. On the other hand, Minimalists believe the essence of their art lies in its ability to provoke thought, whether favourable or critical, by removing distractions and encouraging viewers to appreciate the artwork’s details and intrinsic qualities. The debate becomes especially interesting when comparing responses to Expressionism and Minimalism. Although they were both experimental movements in their time, minimalist artists have received noticeably more criticism than expressionist groups as they progressed. One could speculate that this is because while both art forms challenged the aesthetic components of art that came before them, Minimalism went one step further and challenged the psychology of art. It defied the typical emotional responses viewers were accustomed to. The real aim behind the minimalist movement was to open contemporary society to new branches of art and to challenge the way the pieces are interpreted. The real question that we as a society should collectively ask is “Must an art piece resonate with everyone for it to be considered art?”.
The Bigger Picture
Both the minimalist and expressionist movements are excellent examples of how art is ever-changing and can mean different things to different people. It’s a constant reminder that our understanding of it depends a lot on our own experiences and perspectives. This is why it’s up to you to decide whether Minimalism can be considered art. Everyone defines art differently, and some of the most successful artists in history include Van Gogh, Picasso, and Jackson Pollock. Everyone is entitled to their own views, and that’s what makes all art forms different from many other fields of study, it’s always open to personal interpretation. In the words of Wassily Kandinsky, “There is no must in art because art is free”. No two people will experience the same reaction to a work of art. No two artists will express themselves the same way. What value would your emotions and thoughts bring if everyone held the same perspective?
Ultimately, the realm of art sparks thousands of these conversations, articles, and debates, as different people try to make sense of the limitless possibilities, questions and answers that both the artists and viewers are presented with when it comes to such creative liberties. Even the nature of the debate between these two art movements can be taken into the bigger picture which indicates a healthy and critical culture that art has helped develop. It paves the way for aspiring artists to make a name for themselves by setting versatile standards and ensuring that art forever remains a dynamic form of expression.