GLH+P4+2014-15+Existentialism+and+Expressionism+movements

** Aim by Alex Zhao **

Expressionism and existentialism’s primary purpose was to portray a vision of indiv iduals using their previous experiences, emotions, and feelings to choose their ownpreferred actions as a result. In a online art lesson library, Expressionism has been defined as “an early20th century style of art, music and literature that is charged with an emotional [..] vision of the world” (MacTaggart). Using art as a platform to transport exceptionally clear thoughts and feelings into one’s own actions has resulted in a profound impact in the way that existentialist thinkers portray their own actions. The use of art to demonstrate such emotions of anger or sadness into actual physical pieces of artwork that portray these feelings of anger or sadness give existentialists their own motives, varying on the needs of the individual. Using an existentialist’s own beliefs and ideals of what one prefers to think, feel, and do further embraces the idea that an individual can do any action they want with consideration of only one person’s own thoughts and feelings -- themselves. Actions of an existentialist are based on the ideals of expressionism art that portrays a need to turn one’s thoughts and feelings into doable actions. Based off of philosophical thinking, “human beings can be understood neither as substances with fixed properties, nor as subjects interacting with a world of objects” (Crowell). The abstract and various meanings of such physical expressions of human thoughts of feelings never have such a frigid and concrete idea to go by; for an existentialist, the fluid actions chosen by themselves mean anything that they choose the purpose to be. The abstract meanings of one’s actions demonstrate how fluid one’s actions can be as every individual has a different reaction to the same thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, expressionism and existentialism’s main purpose is to interact with each other in a way that uses an individual’s emotions and feelings, as expressed in expressionism artworks, and translates it to a more physical form by using existentialism in order for an individual to use their conclusions from expressionism to reason with one’s preferred actions.

Works Cited MacTaggart, John. "Expressionism." The Spirit of Expressionist Art. ArtyFactory, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2014. Crowell, Steven. "Existentialism." The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Ed. Edward N. Zalta. The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2004. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.

 The Expressionist Movement target ed political figures and their parties. It is written in Abstract Expressionism, “They were influenced by the era's leftist politics, and came to value an art grounded in personal experience” (Wolf 1). Artists would use their art in order to protest certain political ideas that they did not agree with by creating abstract art. Abstract art is different from other types of art because it can be interpreted in many different ways based off of what the individual thinks of when they see the artwork. The Existentialist Movement was more target towards the individual rather than a mass group of people. It says in Existentialism in Modern Art, “Existentialism grew into a philosophy that placed stress on individual ethics and on the authentic experience of selfhood, on freedom and choice” (Wolf 1). The idea behind this movement is to indulge in individuality. These two movements are similar in the sense that they both rely on individuality to get their message across to their audiences.
 * Audience by Elise Hart **

Works Cited Wolf, Justin. "Abstract Expressionism." //Abstract Expressionism Movement, Artists and Major Works//. The Art Story Foundation, 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. Wolf, Justin. "Existentialism in Modern Art." //Existentialism in Modern Art.// The Art Story Foundation, 2014. Web. 07 Oct. 2014.

  ** Cultural by Rachel Huston **

The uprising of both existentialism and expressionism brought not only a new form of art to the people, but lifestyle as well. The ideas of existentialism injected the ideas into minds of “the idea of an “authentic” existence” (Bramann). This caused an uproar in people believing that they were more than just themselves, which lead to new outlooks on life. People promptly began finding that they should be living for themselves instead of for others. Outside ideas and opinions were rejected, and it was all about doing what one wished, not what others wished. These ideals can be connected to individualism which influenced private property and free thought that greatly influenced the world. Expressionism was a movement that introduced a new form of art which included works like The Scream. Expressionism“... reinforced the essence of the painting as a physical object through precise geometric forms and smooth application of paint, presaging Minimalism”(Rawlings). This revolutionized art, encouraging painters to make paintings more realistic. This then created an importance for art and society then took art more seriously. Expressionism is also the art form used to convey emotions, or express them.

Works Cited Rawlings, Kandice. "The Impact of Abstract Expressionism." SmartHistory by KhanAcademy. Khan Academy, n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. Bramann, John K. "Existentialism." Sartre: Existentialism and the Modern World. Frostburg State University, 2009. Web. 7 Oct. 2014.


 * Historical by Emily Gates **

The terms Existentialism and Expressionism were created to help push people toward expressing their individuality. Author Nicola Abbagnano states, “ The problem of what humans are in themselves can be discerned in the [|Socratic] imperative “know thyself,” ‘ (Abbangnano 1). The creation of the concept of Existentialism was to help to push mankind toward the future of being able to be an individual. The concepts were created by many followers who saw these concepts as a higher power of thinking. The origins of the concept of expressionism was also a movement that taught it’s followers about self expression. It originated in Germany, and it’s teaches showed, “ Expressionism is a style in which the intention is not to reproduce a subject accurately, but instead to portray it in such a way as to express the inner state of the artist” (Expressionism 1). The expressionism was a movement that allowed artist to express their freedom and creativity. These two movements helped bring out many artist who wished to bring out their inner freedom.

Works Cited Abbagnano, Nicola. "Historical Survey of Existentialism." //Encyclopedia Britannica Online//. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2014. "Expressionism." //Expressionism//. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.