Non-Objective Art: From Alexander Rodchenko to Geometric AbstractionHave you ever wondered how artists can create powerful and meaningful works of art without any recognizable imagery? Non-objective art, also known as abstract art, is a fascinating area of artistic expression that continues to evolve and challenge our perceptions of reality.
From Alexander Rodchenko’s Black on Black series to the geometric compositional motifs of
Constructivism and
Suprematism, non-objective art has a rich history that has impacted the art world for more than a century. In this article, we will explore the origin and definition of non-objective art and examine some notable examples that showcase its unique aesthetic.
Non-Objective Art Definition
Non-objective art, also known as abstract art, is a type of art that does not represent any recognizable objects or figures. It is a style that emphasizes the formal qualities of art, such as shape, color, line, and texture.
Non-objective art is concerned with creating a visual experience that is free from the constraints of representation. This style of art originated in the early 20th century and has been influential in shaping the modern art movement.
Origin of Non-Objective Art
The origin of non-objective art can be traced back to the early 20th century, when artists began to experiment with new ways of creating art. The Russian artist, Alexander Rodchenko, is credited with creating the first non-objective artwork in 1917 with his Black on Black series.
The series features a black square on a black background, which represents an extreme form of minimalism and abstraction. The series is regarded as a significant milestone in the development of non-objective art and paved the way for other artists to explore this style.
Definition of Non-Objective Art
Non-objective art is a style that emphasizes the formal qualities of art, such as shape, color, line, and texture. It is concerned with creating a visual experience that is free from the constraints of representation.
This type of art is often associated with geometric abstraction, a style that features simple geometric shapes, such as circles, squares, and triangles. Geometric abstraction is a type of non-objective art that emerged in the 1930s and 1940s and was particularly popular in the United States.
Constructivism
Constructivism is an art and design movement that emerged in Russia in the early 20th century. It is characterized by a focus on geometric forms and a rejection of representational art.
The movement’s emphasis on simplicity and functionality was closely aligned with the ideals of the Soviet Union, and many Constructivist artists were involved in designing buildings, furniture, and other objects for the new society. Key figures in the movement include Alexander Rodchenko and El Lissitzky.
Suprematism
Suprematism is an abstract art movement that emerged in Russia in the early 20th century. It is characterized by simple geometric shapes, such as squares, circles, and rectangles, and a focus on the use of color and space.
The movement was founded by Kazimir Malevich, who believed that art should be pure and free from the constraints of representation. He envisioned his work as a way of exploring the fundamental elements of art, such as line, shape, and color.
Non-Objective Art Examples
One of the most iconic examples of non-objective art is Alexander Rodchenko’s Black on Black series. This series features a black square on a black background and represents an extreme form of minimalism and abstraction.
Rodchenko’s work was a significant milestone in the development of non-objective art and paved the way for other artists to explore this style. Another notable example of non-objective art is the work of El Lissitzky, a key figure in the Constructivist movement.
Lissitzky’s works feature simple geometric shapes and a focus on functionality and practicality. His work influenced many other artists, including Piet Mondrian and the De Stijl movement.
The work of Kazimir Malevich is also an important example of non-objective art. His Suprematist paintings feature simple geometric shapes, such as squares and circles, and a focus on color and space.
His work was a radical departure from traditional art, and it had a significant impact on the development of modern art.
Conclusion
Non-objective art, also known as abstract art, is a fascinating area of artistic expression that continues to challenge our perceptions of reality. This style of art is concerned with creating a visual experience that is free from the constraints of representation and emphasizes the formal qualities of art, such as shape, color, line, and texture.
From Alexander Rodchenko’s Black on Black series to the geometric compositional motifs of
Constructivism and
Suprematism, non-objective art has a rich history that has impacted the art world for more than a century. Where Did the Term “Non-Objective” Start?
Non-objective art, also known as abstract art, is a type of art that does not depict recognizable objects, people, or places. Instead, it focuses on the composition, color, and form of the artwork itself.
Despite its prevalence in the contemporary art world, it was not always accepted as a legitimate art form. The term “non-objective” was coined in the early 20th century, but it was not until later that the art world began to recognize the legitimacy of non-representational art.
Alexander Rodchenko’s Contribution to Non-Objective Art
Alexander Rodchenko was a Russian artist who pioneered the concept of non-objective art. He believed that art should not reflect reality but should be an extension of it.
Rodchenko’s Black on Black series, created in 1918, brought a new level of abstraction to the art world. The series consists of black squares on a black background, representing the extreme of minimalism and abstraction.
While many people found his work confusing and criticized it for lacking substance, it was a significant milestone in the development of non-objective art. Rodchenko’s Black on Black series and Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square
Rodchenko’s Black on Black series was not the only artwork to feature a simple geometric shape on a background of the same color.
Kazimir Malevich, another Russian artist, created his iconic Black Square in the same year as Rodchenko’s Black on Black series. While Malevich’s Black Square is more widely known, it is Rodchenko’s contribution to the development of non-objective art that is often overlooked.
The two works are similar in their simplicity and focus on form over representation, but they are very different in their intentions. While Malevich’s Black Square represented a grand statement about the end of art and the start of a new era, Rodchenko’s Black on Black series was simply an exploration of form and space.
Suprematism and its Core Tenets
Suprematism is an art movement that emerged in Russia in the early 20th century. It was founded by Kazimir Malevich, who also created the Black Square.
Suprematism is characterized by simple geometric shapes, such as squares, circles, and rectangles, and a focus on the use of color and space. The movement was deeply influenced by the ideas of non-objective art and rejected the traditional use of representational imagery in art.
The core tenets of
Suprematism include a focus on pure form, non-objective abstraction, and a rejection of past artistic traditions. One of the key elements of
Suprematism was the use of manifestos, which were written declarations of the artists’ intentions and beliefs.
One of the most famous was Malevich’s “From Cubism and Futurism to
Suprematism,” which outlined the tenets of the movement and called for a new era of non-representational art.
Conclusion
Non-objective art, also known as abstract art, was a new and controversial concept in the early 20th century. Alexander Rodchenko’s Black on Black series and Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square were important works that pushed the boundaries of art and challenged traditional notions of representation.
Suprematism, with its focus on pure form and non-objective abstraction, took these ideas to the next level and created a new movement that would influence the art world for decades to come. The term “non-objective” may have started as a way to describe art that did not depict recognizable objects, but it has since become a respected and integral part of contemporary art.
In conclusion, non-objective art, also known as abstract art, is a significant and influential area of artistic expression that challenges our perceptions of reality and the role of representation in art. Alexander Rodchenko’s Black on Black series and Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square were important works that contributed to the development of non-objective art.
The tenets of
Suprematism, which include a focus on pure form and non-objective abstraction, influenced the art world for decades to come. While initially controversial, non-objective art has become an integral part of contemporary art and continues to evolve and shape our understanding of artistic expression.