Abstract

Abstract Art is an artistic trend born in the XXth century which frees itself from the mimetic representation of the outside world. Thus we are no longuer going to have faithful representations of subjects or objects of visual reality but only forms and colors for themselves. The artists have a new language, a " visual language " based on the simplification and decomposition of forms.

Among the most important sculptors applying the principles of abstraction, in the XX°s are Alexander Archipenko, Constantin Brancusi, Jean Arp and Ossip Zadkine, Henry Moore or Calder. The abstract sculpture renews or imitates problems such as the abolition of the pedestal, the balance of volumes, the relationship between full and empty, the movement ( kinetic sculpture) … From now on sculpture is characterized by a more elaborate reflection on the mechanical and esthetic properties of materials, contributing to modify the notion of volume. Even if noble and traditional materials are always very appreciated, sculpture moves toward the uses of collage, assembly of made or found objects, use of modern materials (steel, plastic, plexiglas) or scrap (scrap, cardboard, thread) and the appropriation of modern techniques (electricity, 3D printer).