As a physicist, what struck me was the connection here with mathematics: from my perspective, maths IS abstraction in the realest of senses. Take, for example, numbers: when we first learn about numbers, we think of three beans or four cars, i.e. numbers as an adjective to describe. The first major leap of abstraction we teach is that four is not just a describing word, but also an idea, an object in itself that has properties attached to it (addition, subtraction, etc.). As the maths gets more complex, we continue to describe certain ideas (e.g. the concept of a vector) as objects, which of course from the literalist's perspective is absurd: how can you have a number just exist in the world?! All of this isn't coincidental. We use maths precisely because it strips away any of the guff (i.e. unnecessary context) not needed to solve the problem. Want to add to add three beans to two beans? Well, it's exactly the same question as if you were talking about cars or anything else: what matters is the number, not the thing itself. By doing this, the tools we have left are not only incredibly efficient (algebra, calculus, etc.) but also can have the context built back into them with ease. The case for abstraction in mathematics is then self evident! Funny, how different fields of thought end up closing upon the same idea.

@MsDafiM

7 жыл бұрын

What a great comment. Yet another proof that art and science are way closer than we as a society see them.

@theartassignment

7 жыл бұрын

YES! Thank you so much for joining the conversation and bringing in this important point.

@marionl8901

7 жыл бұрын

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@epitomeOFblueberries

7 жыл бұрын

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@marting1984

7 жыл бұрын

Totally agree, my friend. I thought to myself that, if math is abstract, then abstract art is much older than the movement that is described in this video. Think of Egyptians and Greeks connecting dots to stars in the galaxy. 5 lines connecting to stars and galaxies somehow is a Taurus or Zeus. Is that not abstract?? Or how about Egyptians calculating out how to build the pyramids. Clearly that kind of math was not done in someone's head. The idea of drawing 4 lines vertically and one line horizontally to indicate the number 5 looks abstract to me. If a coloured square on a canvas is abstract, well then......

I remember being an art student in college and sitting in my art history class listening to the teacher talk about abstract art and thinking, "This is both stupid and ugly, and it doesn't depict anything real. What's the point?" But stated in this video was something I hadn't considered then: There are things that are real that can't be seen. And those are as deserving of depiction as the things that can be seen. Very informative. Thank you.

@mikekazz5353

4 жыл бұрын

It's all Greek to me,

@lukelittlejohn_

4 жыл бұрын

It’s not just about representing ideas of emotions either though. Abstract art shows us that art can have value in and of itself, without needing to tie itself to reality. Nature, for example, is beautiful simply because it is nature. Why can’t art be worth appreciating just as itself, not representing anything at all?

@CrazyHorseInvincible

3 жыл бұрын

Those real things that can't be seen also apparently can't be painted, as evidenced by every attempt shown in the video.

@Kasparoscar

3 жыл бұрын

Sounds like a scam.

@quoileternite

2 жыл бұрын

What is not real is pointless ??? What is not real ?

This makes me thirst for a crash course art history course.

@maggieedna

7 жыл бұрын

always

@mustardsfire22

7 жыл бұрын

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@maggieedna

7 жыл бұрын

although: its worth noting that khan academy has done at least a handful of art history videos.

@VictorHugoM8

7 жыл бұрын

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@Mankeyification

7 жыл бұрын

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They need to start teaching art like this earlier in elementary school! It would be so interesting if in elementary school, teachers didn't underestimate the ability and willingness of kids to learn about art that isn't "heres how to make a butterfly out of a paper cup". I feel like society's opinion on art would be so different.

@bacht4799

5 жыл бұрын

Matt you are so right.. it’s important to learn kids about different ways to think or do things.. and as a plus side.. we will get less small minded people who think that art , music or movies there are different or more challenging.. is crap , pretentious or boring.. will they complain about the last Star Wars movie or something else mainstream nonsense... !

@xxmizzevaxx

5 жыл бұрын

Psychologically we as humans don’t typically develop the ability to think abstractly until around our adolescence and adulthood, so expecting grade school children to grasp concepts like this might be a bit much

@xxmizzevaxx

5 жыл бұрын

And I think art projects like those are less for the teaching of art and creating (while it does do that), but more-so for teaching symbolism and the ability to connect an idea to a symbol (i.e., this shape is a butterfly)

@mariooldani9371

5 жыл бұрын

Pretensious bs is hard art

@mariooldani9371

5 жыл бұрын

What i alone like about this comment is say i was born a female. I CAN and NEVER will know. So how could one survive without say plastic surgury? Or some sort of confusing surgry. Boint

This is an incredibly dense 9 minutes! There needs to be something like a 14 episode Netflix show on all this because seriously, there's that much to cover. Not only is there a lot of material from an arts perspective. All of the artists involved in these movements were incredibly interesting and dynamic people. Not only did their work become iconic, but their associations were vast and influential.

When you think about it, abstraction art is like the instrumental genre of music. Realistic art is like having lyrics in music feed you the message of the song. While abstraction art, is more of instrumental music. Just a thought...

@rudiesan_89

5 жыл бұрын

TheBigBison Lyrics only feeds the message to those who understands the language. The reaity is.. Abstraction was a can of warm dumped out to attack the USSR. It was first funded by our PR and later wall street bankers.

@hotandslavic

5 жыл бұрын

And the instrumental music is in the background, always there but not necessarily the thing you notice first, building an almost base

@rudiesan_89

5 жыл бұрын

Victoria the background music could be either good or bad.. abstraction is neither. It's meaningless if it isnt unaccompanied by pretentious ppl. lecturing us. The avant-garde of 19th century Parisians revolution has been hijacked like so many movements with a merit. Art can no longer stand on its own the way music can

@tinyrobot9989

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I'll have to disagree on that.

@tricanico

5 жыл бұрын

Completely disagree. A Lot of classical music is about conveying scenes and landscapes and so forth; which isn't to say that there isn't abstract music which is only "instrumental". Jazz is a good example. Music with lyrics on the other hand is *generally* more simple and so doesn't care about conveying landscapes and so doesn't. Making it more abstract in that sense, because evidently, there are as well Very abstract lyrics out there; so the conclusion is that there is music with lyrics and without, and abstract music and not inside each of the two categories.

I think its interesting because as a 15 year old abstraction is so ingrained in our culture and art that it seems bizarre that there ever was not. It's always a good reminder that your world isn't yours and wasn't always the same

this was one of the most satisfying videos I have ever seen. I'm an artist myself and abstraction is one of the things I really admire but doesn't come easily for me. I work really hard to make the images I do and sometimes they don't work out. I've had several people ask me why I even try and well now I'll just show them this so they'll understand the beauty of abstraction. thank you for such a wonderful and inspiring video

@quoileternite

2 жыл бұрын

❤

Would like to see a The Case For video about Realism/Figurative Art/Representational Art and especially on your take on where it stands in the very progressive influx of art/artists in contemporary art. I love this channel, by the way! Thank you!

@bundokman

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, I would love that also. The last decade or so we've seen tons of online communities and real-world ateliers and schools pop up because of the backlash in art teaching especially in academia where the academic approach to drawing and painting has been shunned and modern/abstract art put in a pedestal. There's something about the craftsmanship that I love in regards to realism and representational art. While the Art elites care little for it, the people still do. Representational art can still be seen through great illustrators, designers and animators in comics, illustration books, movies, concept art etc.

I love these "The Case for...." episodes!! thanks so much for creating and sharing C:

This is why I love this century so much. Great art videos in high quality video format delivered to your doorstep for free on KZread.

Salaam! I absolutely love this vid. I usually find myself somewhere in between abstraction and minimalism when it comes to the art I appreciate/enjoy most. It feels good to know there's a "world" of art and history that bridge the two. Thanks for the amazing video. It always helps to know that someone else has been where you are... :) Peace and Love!

This was brilliant Sarah!

@sunsetgaming2781

6 жыл бұрын

The Art of Photography Is great

@gardenglory6624

5 жыл бұрын

It actually was brilliant. I enjoyed it very much. Like she said in the end something about "a period when humans did not embrace abstraction' that is so true because everything started with abstract art etc, ...this was GREAT!!! thank you.

@acekw1

3 жыл бұрын

this vid brings up the 'coming to the fore' of abstraction in visual art but doesn't address the principals of it, only its formation... which is why we see so much art today excused for its lack of subjectivity and technical accomplishment because it can be grouped with philosophically driven and rigours work which is also 'abstract' , abstraction is a linguistic proposition for refinement and rejection of notated language, a more effective way of expressing the nature of a subject, not simply not trying to depict it accurately or in a form of visual shorthand... while nicely referenced this is the tail wagging the dog.

@acekw1

3 жыл бұрын

and with regard to the conclusion, abstract art is not dynamic, is it supposed to be universal, something akin to Noam Chomski's notion of 'Generative Grammar'. the abstractions in visual art are attempts to explore and express the axioms or building blocks of our universal human and perceived experience

Brilliantly done! It is obvious how much work goes in to each one of these videos, and we appreciate it thoroughly!

Abstract art is beautiful in its ability to create not what others know but to create the unknown in a way that is knowable

@quoileternite

2 жыл бұрын

❤

I LOVE this kind of art It's so intriguing to me, makes me think and feel differently than looking at a realistic art work (not to belittle realistic art)

I can’t even keep count of how many times I’ve watched this video. I really really love the way you explain the topic

This is absolutely incredible, I'm so glad I accidently came across this video! I watched the entire thing and the 20 mins went by so fast. I can rarely watch a video more than a few mins before getting bored. You are one hell of an artist! I am a non-artist who is still new to learning abstract painting, My friends here to watch the results from my abstract channel. Thank you my friend 😍😍❤❤

As an artist who does a lot of abstract paintings I really enjoyed this video. You don't waste any time going over the history of abstract art and the artists who started it, did it and some who probably still do it. Its amazing to me that it really only took off and became a well known and widely accepted art form in the early 1900's. The history of art in itself is quite fascinating but how abstraction fits into it is very interesting. I had to watch this video twice since it moves so quickly but I think I learned something both times so it was worth it. "What's strange may be the period when humans did not embrace abstraction" - Well said

rhythm, balance, unity, line, focal point, illusion of space, color, illusion of movement, texture, shape, value, texture and pattern. you can just go down the list and find a multitude of individual examples of each within every one of their paintings. its just amazing

I have never seen myself as someone who liked abstract art but after watching this I have realised that so many of these works are beautiful and thought provoking, I guess I do like abstract art.

This is becoming my favorite place to get excited about art. Not just the tone of your voice but the detail and quality of your research. Astounding. What about performance art? Is that a thing? Laurie Anderson may have triggered flash mobs?

One of the most inspiring and thought provoking videos I’ve ever seen on KZread.

I loved this video, it helped me to appreciate what i thought to be amateurish shapes and colors. Thank you .

I feel as if you just feed me from a hunger I didn't know i had, thank you. Keep on the good work

All art is both abstract and realistic, it's just a matter of perspective, and of degree. Most people enjoy both in an artwork, up to the point where they go to extremes. You might not notice the abstraction going on in an Inness or Caillebotte, but your eyes enjoy putting the pieces together into a recognizable image. Thank you Sarah for putting this video together and introducing me to some great new artists. I'm just going to add in one little quote from Stapleton Kearns just to play Devil's advocate, and maybe add an additional perspective to the discussion: “When I go to the museum, I often find myself standing behind people who talk about psychology. Many people mistake painting for psychology. They know nothing about painting, but they learned about psychology in school. So they talk about their feelings and how the artist must have felt. They discuss the various pathologies of mental derangement and vicariously imagine themselves as decoratively insane, well only a little, nothing too unattractive. They are happiest in front of the work of obviously tortured artists or paintings that lend themselves to speculation on the ideas of Freud. It is a little like the fable from India about the blind men examining an elephant. Each grabs a different part of what must have been a very patient, docile animal and speculates about the larger beast. One holding the tail supposes the animal is very like a snake, another hugging an enormous leg says the elephant is more like a tree…”

@TASmith10

7 жыл бұрын

Just adding another quote from an artist friend, "There’s a realist movement afoot at the present, so it’s like we’re taking laps around a track. It’s pretty great to see fine draftsmanship and painting. I’ve done my share of academic painting and drawing. But a lot of this drawing and painting stays at an academic level - that is, beautiful nude, beautiful pose, beautiful technique, etc. A lot of concept art is starting to look the same as well. With modernism, people simply took a break for a time. The academic stuff can get boring and redundant. You know exactly what it represents - a naked guy with a stick, a still-life, etc. There’s no meaning anymore. The models can begin to look like they just want to go home. Prud’hon’s models didn’t look that way. On the complete other side of the spectrum we have pure abstraction, with Mondrian, et alia. You may not like or understand them because they’re seemingly unreasonable - unreadable. Hence people say, “I don’t get art.” I think it’s safe to say that few of the general public would prefer either extreme. Most people prefer something in between. Take, Andrew Jones as another example. His pieces are mostly abstract with hints of representation thrown in subtly to make you believe that it’s a figure, or face, or whatever. Even if a work isn’t quite so abstract, compositions are abstract. Interesting compositions always start with abstract forms. If you simply drew what you saw in front of you without organizing it, even if you drew it photo-realistically and with incredible technique, it would be boring. So, most people do like abstract art, to a certain extent. It’s only when you get to the extremes that people start complaining.

@epitomeOFblueberries

7 жыл бұрын

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I've been struggling to see the connections of mid-twentieth century American poetry (primarily New York School poets and some of the Beats) and the abstract art world. This video helped me understand how certain concepts overlap and how one might achieve abstract expressionistic (and impressionistic) techniques through the medium of language. Awesome video and excellent work!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank You !!! You touched deeply the need for such understanding, that we artists must move forward always and the public could use well this education..Great job ! My respect too you !

I love this channel (as much as i love abstraction :P ) Thank you, i just discover this fantastic channel, it all came at its right time, i have been watching some videos like for a week know and the content is far more than impressive, really well researched, extremely well presented, and so damn easy to follow. Thank everyone who are (or were) involved in this magnificent channel, thank you all.

Reading The Shock Of The New right now. Really great video refreshes my mind on what I just read and adding new things aswell.

I know that abstraction like fun patterns on plates or the carvings in picture frames have been around, but I wonder how it felt to look at a cubist painting for the first time. I remember in 2010 or so when I first heard dubstep. I hated it, because it felt like my brain was melting a little bit, but I knew that it was too interesting and engrossing to NOT bleed into all other kinds of music. And now it's easy to listen to. When I see abstract art, or art where the colors are strange like the painting at 1:16, I am totally unbothered. You could make that highlighter yellow with eye tricks and zebra stripes and I won't be fazed. I wonder if van gogh made people's brains feel all melty.

@envelopeskrcc

7 жыл бұрын

As our familiarity with something (an idea or an image or a word) increases the effort our brains' have to expend comprehend it decreases, it's called cognitive ease. Experiencing cognitive ease makes us feel more relaxed and more happy, consequently making us feel more positive toward the familiar thing. So maybe Van Gogh did make people's minds feel melty (possibly evidenced by how unpopular he was in his lifetime and how popular he is now?! Perhaps we are experiencing a sort of societal cognitive ease!!??)

@EARSandelbows

7 жыл бұрын

Like how Stravinsky's Firebird doesn't make peoples' ears bleed anymore.

@AnnoyingAsianWitch

7 жыл бұрын

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@EveryTimeV2

5 жыл бұрын

How big is this empty disco? I have an idea or two with what to put in it. Not as simple and effective as dead people.

Wow, some of this art is gorgeous! There are several artists I want to learn more about, just from watching this video. Thanks for the video.

Sara, thanks for this thoughtful and informative introduction to abstraction. Recently, as a quilter, I have found myself drawn to Paul Klee. Your video makes me want to look further.

One of the most concise yet inclusive presentations on abstract art I’ve ever seen.

This is by far the best Art Assignment video I've seen. Good Job

I love these case for videos, coming from someone who knows very little about art. Thank you!

your "the case for" videos are always so enlightening theyre always my favorite maybe to contrast your more videos on modern art you could do "the case for traditionalism" or something like that just an idea :)

Informed, absolutely to the point, insightful, sharp: edit, sound, camera, Ms Green's presentation, tight; a very walk-and-talk production of actually useful source. Well done, The Art Assignment. DMSwanson Poet of Now/Keeper of the Pop Art Flame

This really makes me think of the Semana da Arte Moderna of 1922 that happened in Brazil, many influential brazilian artists were part of it and I would like to know if you have any knowledge about it. Thank you for the awesome video.

What an amazing discovery with this channel!!!

Probably the most perfect essay about abstract art that I've experienced.

This made me happy when I saw it on my subs feed. Love this series, keep going :)

@oskarpost3234

7 жыл бұрын

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@Nic33rd

7 жыл бұрын

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@IamSamys

7 жыл бұрын

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i love these "a case for..." videos thanks for putting them out

wish it was longer and more greats explored. I came across the channel recently and boy are you good!! its amazing what a layman like me can learn. Thanks a ton.

the pace of this condensed history is remarkable!

this is so good.... I was stuck on an art assessment and i got so many ideas from this, and found some new artists i love

This was already better than my whole art history semester at university in terms of informational cohesion and conceptual comprehension

I'll never be able to not like this chanel's content. It'a great! Please never stop making it! Love from Brasil ;)

I love both abstract art and realistic art equally. To me, both styles speaks and connects to me in an artistic and emotional level.

The album art for Bon Iver's self titled album is imo one of the BEST examples of balancing abstraction and straight landscaping. Absolutely gorgeous.

Love the work of klint and besant, but surprised I've never been introduced to their work, and at the same time, not surprised

Wo. What a mouth full. Very well done!!!

Retirement can be the kiss of death, because life before was structured and it's assignments came from the path we chose. PBS - Art Assignment has given me new direction and a totally engaging scaffold by which my story can be supported. Thank you PBS, thanks you KZread and so many more thank you's to all the artists who now inspire my re-entry to cerebral engagement.

@sonicimperium

5 жыл бұрын

Good to know you're such a deep-thinker it took KZread videos to give your life meaning! 👍🏻

Great history lesson and time line and time capsule of art history. Thanks for sharing the knowledge

Thank you for this video. This is art itself. I'm gonna do some abstract paintings now. It opened my eyes

I love these series! And it just makes me think if the act of photoshopping a photograph is art.

Wow, more than i could have ever learned in an expensive art school, thanks, part of my works will be in abstract ;)

Love this. WOuld love to see you tackle The Case For Jackson Pollock

I loved this video! For a long time (most memorably when I studied abroad in England and was so excited to go to the Tate Modern before I was basically shamed and laughed at for even suggesting it), I always felt like I was "looking at art wrong" because I was so fascinated by abstract art. I love all your videos discussing modern or abstract art, but this was my favorite, and I loved how you pulled in pieces from all periods (made me miss my art history class-taking days!), showing that it's not really a new concept at all.

@sonicimperium

5 жыл бұрын

Yeah, you're such a maverick and so enlightened compared to those around you. The bogus story about getting laughed at not only proves what a trendsetter you are, it allows you to impress us with your studies abroad! 👍🏻🌭

Concise, clearly thought out..brilliant presentation.

"And then, about 100 years ago, a bunch of artists stopped trying to do that. It was shocking." Love that understated 'matter of fact' delivery. :) Wow, what a tour de force "Case For..."! I remember in my first year in architecture studio at university, we had a saying "#(*@! it, go abstract." Looking back on it now, our biases were showing. Abstraction was a shortcut, a way to make something fast, a thoughtless stylistic choice. I gave that view up before I left school, but this video has me seeing things in an even broader light. Tying it back to the "decoration" of both the recent and of the ancient is a brilliant connection, as was pointing out all the abstract notions we use in our society. Really great vid, I can't wait to share it with those who are still unsure about abstract art. And I really want to experience C-Curve!

Thanks. Now I know a little bit of abstract art. Clear voice and easy to understand ( have watched other videos and I was confused yet). Ah! and the contain of the video, very pedagogical. Arigatou

I am so glad that I found this channel! Excellent videos you guys

These videos are truly phenomenal!

Very clearly explained-thanks for your good work!

We love this series (and love abstract art)!

Can I give this a standing ovation!? Fantastic summary!! Love this video. Great job!

I think there’s a fine line between abstraction and just foregoing any substance or effort and just labeling that as abstract. Where that line is exactly idk, but it’s definitely there

@JohnSmith-qz6xb

3 жыл бұрын

I’d say where the money laundering starts

@r.t.h.k.o

3 жыл бұрын

It's an impossible endeavor to try and make broad strokes about what is and isn't art. You should just look at whatever is in front of you and decide whether or not you like it.

@Kasparoscar

3 жыл бұрын

@@r.t.h.k.o It's not that hard to differ art from hampart.

@eskay1891

3 жыл бұрын

Well, who drew the line and where it's? It's similar to line between prostitution and porn movies.

This is awesome! An epiphany moment for me that was completely non-existence during my years as an art student...

as someone who takes art history courses online, ive learned more about life from these videos than anything my classes teach me

What truly captivates me about abstraction is the uniqueness brought forth by its creator, alongside the inherent similarity within their body of work. This distinctive blend of personal expression and thematic consistency is something rarely found in other genres such as realism or naturalism. It's fascinating to see how abstract artists convey individuality while maintaining a coherent style across their creations.

Thank you for this video. So many important informations. I’ve learnt a lot. Greetings from artist from the Czech republic

Great thought-provoking video. Thanks for taking the time to upload such valuable information!!!

This channel deserves more recognition

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Beautiful video 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Thanks for existing PBS Digital Studios. I have learned way more from this guys than from University. When I finally would get a job I NEED to donate money to this people. Thanks 👏👏👏👏👏👏.

comprehensive and fast -- great overview! I will share with my Middle School art class.

These videos are the best. MORE PLEASE!!

One of the best videos you have done.

@MariahNLoeb

7 жыл бұрын

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@oskarpost3234

7 жыл бұрын

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@Tilian-Tine

7 жыл бұрын

Thomas Douglas I keep seeing 12:12

this is beautiful. there was a tiny tear in my right eye.

awesome survey...very much appreciated...concise and clear...no hoopla !!

Subscribed. The research behind this video is oustanding.

Love this video. I think it begins to touch on it near the end, but an important point for the case for abstraction might be that all visual art begins from some point of abstraction. Figuration or representation is necceassarily an abstraction of reality. This, of course, is even the case in photography. (Really, maybe the most notable difference between figurative and abstract art is just the intention by the artist.) To that end, all art lies on a spectrum of abstraction. Or maybe more accurately, art-making and experiencing is a fundamentally abstract activity no matter how it's done.

this video completely changed my view on abstract art!!

I had an entire class or two on this topic! It's cool to see this being retold and parts that I didn't even know... Like the seances I might not have paid attention to at the time 😅

I just found your channel and it’s fantastic, thx u so much. Love you 💖

great video very inspiring. Im going to go paint some abstract art now!!!

The thing I love about Abstraction is for the most part it moves away from art that can only be truly understood by one time or culture. The aesthetics I not about the long history of cultural ideas of beauty. So the more Abstract the art is the more universal it can be.

@kokolanza7543

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting observation. Thanks.

I am teaching my children via KZread on the history of art, in hopes that they can appreciate the talent they have innately as children ❤😊 this is art

Wow. That last statement made me pause and rewind. And it does make sense.

Yes yes yes! God I love this stuff. Lovely encapsulation of most of my favorite work.

The best abstract work intrigues and challenges and goes beyond - it does fail IMHO when it bores once the shock factor is gone.

While I don't like all abstract art, the idea that abstractions couldn't be art never made any sense to me. And I think you hit the nail on the head at the end, when you point out that the exception probably was "the period when humans did not embrace abstraction". I've only recently discovered your channel but I'm already loving it. Thanks!

These are such awesome videos. Loving it.

More of these, please.

Last picture sums it up perfectly.

What a great video. THANK YOU!

This reminds me, I haven't been able to go to a museum this year. I'll have to make up for that next year.

beautiful and ever so intelligent, I am regularly amazed.

great in-depth information and organised well - good points raised and I learnt some things though, please take a breath - the art of 'the pause', 'cadence' and 'pace' are overlooked here

you went all in! thank you. loved it.