Assignment #9: Museum of Modern Art

Abstract Expressionism

Abstract Expressionism came about during the 1940's and 1950’s. Artist of the time painted expressively, stylistically innovative and personal styles. Inspiration was gained from the motives and methods of Surrealism. A major artist in this movement was Jackson Pollock. He had a very unique style of painting; he created canvases with by laying them flat on the floor and just dripping paint on to them. By using this technique he was able to enter the space of the painting physically and psychologically. “On the floor I am more at ease, I feel nearer, more a part of the painting since this way I can walk around it, work from the four sides and literally be in the painting.” – Jackson Pollock  

His painting above: “One: Number 31” from 1950 incorporates his drip painting unique style/method. The colors in this painting seem to contrast with one another. He uses a tan canvas and drips paint in the shades white, black, and a darker tone of tan. The canvas measures 8’10” x 17’5 5/8”.

Pop Art

Pop Art was inspired by Neo Dada. Pop Art was a movement that wanted to challenge cultural assumptions. Pop artists created cool, mechanical images with techniques such as photographic screen printing and airbrush to achieve characteristics of mass produced imagery like advertising, food labels, and comic books. An example of this kind of art is Andy Warhol’s “Campbell’s Soup Can” of 1962. The picture displays thirty two canvases of Campbell Soup Cans sold by the Campbell Soup Company. The cans are aligned in 4 rows consisting of 8 cans in each, the can are place horizontally creating a pattern in placement. The way each canvas is aligned makes it seem like if the cans are actually being displayed on shelves at the grocery store or supermarket giving the customer numerous varieties of soups to choose from. The picture has a strong use of the color white and red. Each individual canvas measures 20 x 16”.

Robert Gober

Robert Gober’s Exhitbition at MOMA "The Heart is Not a Metaphor" includes more than fifty sinks that he created between 1983 and 1986. The sinks referred to part of the everyday world. The earliest sink sculptures were based on real sinks. One of the sinks was inspired by one in the artist’s childhood home. The sinks were built from wood, plaster, and wire lath. The sinks final touch was applying multiple coats of paint to mimic the appearance of the enamel. All sinks were plain white and lacked faucets and plumbing.