Hilma af KLINT, MUJERES ARTISTAS en la HISTORIA del ARTE | cap.9 | La Gata Verde

Summary

The video delves into the fascinating life and groundbreaking art of Hilma af Klint, a Swedish artist who pioneered abstract painting long before Kandinsky, Malevich, and Mondrian. Af Klint’s radical and enigmatic abstract works, hidden for decades, were influenced by spiritualism, mysticism, and occultism, and were intended to explore higher consciousness and dimensions beyond the visible world. The video reveals how her visionary art, which includes large-scale abstract works and geometrical symbols, remained secret until decades after her death. Despite the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated art world, Af Klint’s legacy as an innovator in abstract art is now being recognized and celebrated.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hillman Clint, an avant-garde abstract artist, created radical, enigmatic works in the early 20th century that were hidden away for decades due to the belief that society wasn't ready to understand them.
• 😀 Despite being a pioneer in abstract art before artists like Kandinsky, Malevich, and Mondrian, Hillman Clint kept her works a secret, only revealing them after her death, according to her will.
• 😀 Hillman Clint was deeply influenced by spiritualism, occultism, and scientific advancements of her time, including x-rays and electromagnetism, which shaped her abstract art style.
• 😀 Born in 1862 in Stockholm, Hillman was raised in an intellectual family with a strong interest in science and mathematics, and she developed a passion for nature and spiritual beliefs after the death of her sister.
• 😀 Hillman Clint studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts and became a successful artist known for her naturalist landscapes and portraits, though she faced challenges as a woman in a male-dominated art world.
• 😀 Hillman was part of a spiritualist group called 'The Five of Faith,' where they practiced automatic writing and painting, which significantly influenced her abstract works later on.
• 😀 From 1906, Hillman Clint began creating the 'Paintings for the Temple,' the first abstract works in history, intended to express spiritual dimensions and the unity of the universe.
• 😀 Hillman Clint’s abstract art aimed to make the invisible visible, using symbols like concentric circles, spirals, and geometric shapes to represent spiritual themes of duality, such as the macrocosm and microcosm.
• 😀 Her use of color, especially pastel tones and flat colors, was innovative for her time, and the large formats of her works underscored the importance she placed on her artistic vision.
• 😀 Despite her groundbreaking work, Hillman Clint's paintings were not appreciated during her lifetime. It wasn't until 2013 that her first major exhibition was held at the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, challenging the traditional art history narrative.

Q & A

Who was Gilma Hacking, and what was significant about her work?

Gilma Hacking was a Swedish artist who painted radical abstract works in the early 20th century, long before well-known pioneers like Kandinsky, Malevich, and Mondrian. Her work was innovative and secretive, as she believed that the world wasn't ready to understand it. She created large-scale abstract paintings and used unconventional colors and forms that were unlike anything seen before.

Why did Gilma Hacking keep her abstract works a secret?

Gilma Hacking kept her abstract works a secret because she felt that the public wouldn't understand them. She believed that the world was not prepared to grasp the deeper meanings behind her art. She stipulated in her will that her works should remain hidden for 20 years after her death.

What role did Gilma Hacking's family background play in her artistic development?

Gilma Hacking came from a well-off family with a strong interest in science and mathematics. Her father’s extensive library helped her develop an interest in scientific advancements, which later influenced her artwork. She was also exposed to the natural world, which greatly impacted her artistic style, particularly in her early naturalistic works.

What was the significance of the occult and spiritualism in Gilma Hacking's art?

Gilma Hacking was deeply influenced by occultism and spiritualism, especially after the death of her sister. She joined spiritualist groups and practiced automatic writing and drawing. These experiences led her to alter her artistic approach, using altered states of consciousness to create abstract works that communicated with higher spiritual entities.

How did Gilma Hacking's art evolve from figurative to abstract?

In 1906, Gilma Hacking abandoned her figurative style, which focused on portraiture and naturalistic landscapes, and began creating abstract works. She called her early abstract works 'paintings for the temple,' which were inspired by her spiritual practices and the guidance of spiritual entities. Her abstraction was not about dissolving form like Kandinsky or Mondrian, but rather making the invisible dimensions of existence visible through geometric symbols.

What were the 'Paintings for the Temple,' and why were they significant?

The 'Paintings for the Temple' were a series of 193 abstract works created by Gilma Hacking between 1906 and 1915. These paintings were meant to represent spiritual dimensions and were created through a meditative process in which Gilma believed she was guided by spiritual beings. The series was groundbreaking as it explored metaphysical themes like the duality of the universe, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all things.

How did Gilma Hacking's use of color differ from her contemporaries?

Gilma Hacking's use of color was highly innovative. She employed flat colors and pastel tones, which were unconventional for the time. Her choice of colors was integral to the spiritual message of her artwork, emphasizing the metaphysical and invisible aspects of existence rather than focusing on naturalistic representation.

What was the influence of Gilma Hacking’s work on modern abstract art?

Gilma Hacking’s work predated the mainstream development of abstract art by Kandinsky, Malevich, and Mondrian. Her abstract paintings were focused on portraying spiritual dimensions and higher states of consciousness, making her a forerunner in exploring the metaphysical aspects of art. However, her work was not widely recognized until much later due to her decision to keep it hidden during her lifetime.

What was the connection between Gilma Hacking and the Theosophical movement?

Gilma Hacking was deeply influenced by Theosophy, especially through the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, a key figure in the movement. She studied his works and incorporated his ideas into her art. Her later works, particularly after 1912, reflected a more controlled use of geometry and spiritual symbolism, influenced by Steiner's philosophy.

What happened to Gilma Hacking's works after her death?

After her death, Gilma Hacking's works remained hidden, as she had requested in her will. They were stored away in large boxes, and it wasn’t until over 40 years later, in the 1980s, that some of her works were finally revealed and exhibited. In 2013, the first major retrospective of her work took place at the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, highlighting her contributions to abstract art.