I work in what I call objective abstraction and follow two of my "unique reality" rules, usually just intuitively. Interestingly, the methods of visual abstraction impacts also my writing.
But first, what is abstraction?
Abstraction as a process is deriving general rules and concepts from specific examples.
Unique Reality Rules
These "rules" have emerged from practice. I have not imposed them on myself, I just realized I follow them.
- The uniqueness of the object of attention is prioritized: its individuality is not generalized to represent an average or a norm and it is not forced to represent any group statistically as an example. Its position in space and time and its interactions with its surroundings matter as much as its concept. Yet the depiction gives the observer a feeling of a deeper understanding of this object's function or purpose, partially based on the observer's knowledge.
- Objective reality remains present and observed honestly here and now, including light and the artist's perception of non-visual conditions like air, moisture, gravity, aromas, sounds, and the feelings they evoke.
Visual and Verbal Abstraction
Visual Abstraction
All my handmade paintings are abstract to some extent. All my abstracts contain the reality of my thoughts, feelings, and the play of light I perceive. In almost all of my artwork, you can detect some symbolism. I love abstract portraits and spontaneous thought expression.
In digital graphics and still and motion photography, I am drawn to the most beautiful expressions of a person's character and often take it to the level of symbolic abstraction.
Verbal Abstraction
In writing true stories, I filter the information to select only relevant to my purpose aspects. I often do not name the characters and leave out their less significant qualities. My angle of view is defined by generalizations derived from a multitude of other situations and conditions I know.
All genuine art is abstract. <...> “Abstraction” is the recognition of a relational structure, or form, apart from the specific thing (or event, fact, image, etc.) in which it is exemplified. <...> This instinctive mental activity is the process of symbol-making, of which the most amazing result is language. <...> Genuine abstraction is a relatively late achievement, born of reflection on the works of art and science, and fully understood only by means of the latter. - Susanne K. Langer, Abstraction in Science and Abstraction in Art http://www.anthonyflood.com/langerabstraction.htm
Representational and Abstract Art
To put my method of objective abstraction into a bigger picture:
- Representational art - objective and figurative: depiction of the physical appearance of reality as perceived, objective and realistic elements in images, an illusion of visible reality, resemblance and likeness to independently existing beings and objects or memories or ideas of them;
- Abstract art: visual language of shape, color, and line, compositions created largely independently from visual references.
- Objective abstraction (this is how I call it) is based on the subject that exists in the real world but then presents it in a new way, with higher levels of abstraction than in representational art. The aim is not to depict but to analyze reality and show its processed perception.
- Non-objective art does not replicate entities of the natural world or artifacts at all.
- Reference Code: LN21A22AB0
