Jackson Pollock, Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)

Summary

In this video, art historians Steven and Beth discuss Jackson Pollock's monumental painting 'Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)' at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They explore how Pollock's abstract expressionism, characterized by spontaneous movements and unconventional materials like house paint, represents a break from traditional art forms. The conversation delves into post-World War II anxieties and the search for new artistic languages, reflecting the existential fears of the era. Pollock's process, akin to a jazz musician improvising, emphasizes emotion, movement, and the physical act of painting, creating a raw, dynamic canvas.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Jackson Pollock's painting 'Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)' is a massive 17-foot-wide artwork originally created in 1950.
• 🖼️ The painting reflects the post-World War II anxiety, a period marked by the Cold War, nuclear threats, and the Holocaust's aftermath.
• 🌀 Pollock was a leading figure in abstract expressionism, a movement that emphasized angst and existential themes.
• 💥 The abstraction in Pollock's work represents a departure from naturalism, embracing a new artistic language for the modern era.
• 🎭 The artist's technique involves spontaneous, unintentional movements, drawing on raw emotion and existential reflection.
• 🖌️ Pollock's method involved using house paint on unprimed canvas, allowing the paint to soak into the fabric and create unique textures.
• 📏 The painting's scale and method of creation harken back to large-scale murals, inspired by artists like Diego Rivera and Siqueiros.
• 🎷 Pollock's approach is often compared to jazz musicians, improvising and 'riffing' with their instruments to create something spontaneous and alive.
• 🕊️ The lack of conscious planning in Pollock's work is a deliberate rejection of traditional art processes like drawing and compositional organization.
• 🖼️ The texture of 'Autumn Rhythm' includes seeping paint, splashes, cracks, and a variety of matte and shiny surfaces, creating a complex visual experience.

Q & A

What is the title of the painting discussed in the script, and how did it evolve over time?

The painting is titled 'Autumn Rhythm (Number 30).' Originally, Jackson Pollock titled it 'Number 30,' but later renamed it 'Autumn Rhythm.' The museum compromised by combining both names.

Why does the speaker mention projecting their own feelings into the painting during the pandemic?

The speaker feels they might be projecting their own darkness into the painting due to the context of the pandemic and the impending presidential election. The artwork's creation just after World War II also evokes feelings of anxiety and existential dread.

What themes and emotions are often associated with Pollock's abstract expressionism?

Themes of angst and anxiety are dominant in Pollock's work, reflective of the post-war moment. His abstract expressionism grapples with existential issues and human existence, particularly during the Cold War and after the horrors of World War II.

Why did Pollock and other abstract expressionists move away from naturalism and figuration?

Pollock and other abstract expressionists felt that naturalism and figuration were no longer sufficient to express the complexities of the post-war world. They sought a new artistic language that could address existential concerns and delve into more universal, abstract ideas.

How did Pollock’s method differ from traditional painting techniques?

Unlike traditional painters who meticulously planned compositions and primed canvases, Pollock worked spontaneously, using unprimed canvases and house paint. He let the paint fall onto the canvas without touching it, embracing chance and physical movement in the process.

What historical influences might have shaped Pollock's large-scale paintings?

Pollock was influenced by the large-scale murals of Mexican artists like Diego Rivera and Siqueiros. These murals were created for the public, emphasizing art's accessibility and impact on society, which may have inspired Pollock's use of enormous canvases.

Why is Pollock’s painting technique compared to a jazz musician’s improvisation?

Pollock's technique is likened to a jazz musician's improvisation because both involve tremendous skill combined with spontaneity. Pollock 'riffed' with his paint, allowing his unconscious and the emotion of the moment to guide his work, much like a jazz musician improvises during a performance.

What effect does painting on unprimed canvas have on Pollock’s work?

By painting on unprimed canvas, Pollock allowed the paint to seep into the fabric, creating a direct interaction between the paint and the canvas. This method produced a unique texture and depth that would have been different if the canvas had been primed.

What range of textures and visual effects can be observed in 'Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)'?

The painting exhibits a wide range of effects: paint seeping into the fabric, splashes and dots that evoke a night sky, areas where paint has pooled and cracked, as well as both soft, atmospheric and sharp, linear forms. There are also contrasts between matte and shiny sections.

How did Pollock's physical movements influence the final appearance of his painting?

Pollock's large, rhythmic movements across the canvas are reflected in the trails of paint. His gestures, flinging paint onto the canvas, created a visual record of his movement through time and space, making the surface of the painting a kind of stage for his physical actions.