If most art reflects life – last century was as fragmented and confusing as a shattered mirror. 20th American century society saw massive changes in day-to-day lifestyles - war and growth, a global media explosion, and a visual cacophony of imagery on everything from furnishings to billboards to miniature TV screens and increasingly ubiquitous technologies.
For an innovative artist, working amid the rapidly changing world of the 20th century, this presented massive challenges in trying to achieve both power and meaning in their work – power that could be noticed. Perhaps that’s why some believed that it is only by abstraction, or in the seemingly trivial moments of existence, that we can find truer and deeper reflections of the true meaning of life.
The Physical and the Metaphysical in Art and Life
Newman’s statement seems to contain some truth. Life is indeed both physical and metaphysical in some respects. Certain paintings that are highly abstract may somehow transcend the physical world by their content or under-lying invisible message.For artists Barnett Newman and Jackson Pollock, the primary subject of their abstract painting was the artist’s view on the truth - of the artist's own existence, and more generally, in the limited freedom and strength of the human spirit. This reflects the quest for the hidden meaning.
Can Paintings Elucidate the Meaning of Life?
Throughout history - artists, scientists, philosophers and indeed all of us have asked – what’s the hidden meaning of life? Some individuals may have known the answer, but has art answered this? And is it closer to solving this old mystery?There are very many meanings associated to different paintings throughout history and some may contain truths or messages but I do not feel modern art has solved the mysteries of life or is any closer than it was - when art began.
The wider audience may not understand meanings behind certain paintings, and motivation for buying abstract work may be on a more aesthetic level. Understanding what’s hanging above the sofa at home, would be secondary. Whatever the motivation, as long as the work brings the viewer some lasting enjoyment – then I guess ultimately the painting works.
Modern art complexes the way we interact and see art because it keeps our mind in the unknown. When viewing abstraction it may evoke all kinds of emotions within us leaving us none the wiser after looking at a painting. Artists create this art for many reasons and we could end up much further from the truth or meaning of life if analyzed too much.
Modern Art and the Meaning of Life
So how does modern American art reflect the search for the hidden meaning of life? Artists have an added ability to communicate messages through a medium. They have a direct bond between their eyes and hands enabling them to portray emotions or the truth as they see it. Coupled with philosophy and inner vision, modern artists could be seen as messengers using abstraction for communicating hidden meanings of life. Which could make no sense to the physical eye but within the mind’s eye it may become a lot more apparent.American modern artists have established a style of painting that is very unique and fresh to them. We could say, their depiction of how they see life and the world around them comes through their art in a very diverse and mixed form. This reflects the question of the meaning of life, because in the end none of it matters much. We are all passing through this world with whatever little time we are allocated and the meaning of life is pervading all around us all of the time and happens everyday – paintings are an extension of the human spirit – which in turn is the truth
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