Quote:
Originally Posted by DARISC
Actually, that's only part of the deal.
You discuss Pollack's aesthetics and his control of the craft involved in producing his paintings (which I have no quibble with), but what makes Pollack a historically important painter is not "how" he crafted his visual statements, but rather "why" he made those statements, i.e., what his influences were, how he responded to those influences and, what really makes an artist historically important/significant, to what extent his work influenced other artists of his time.
Pollack was an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement; therein lies his claim to fame.
As I'm sure you know, there are many important painters that can be easily copied (many of Picasso's paintings come to mind). But those paintings are important in their historical context, not because they are necessarily beautiful or difficult to copy.
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How true,
This is the reason many people don't "get" Jackson Pollock - or many other artists - they don't consider the motivation, influences, etc.
But then again, maybe it is not ours to "get" as we most likely never have the same life experiences and not be shaped by the influences as others.
None of us.
For those that care, the biography written by Steven Naifeh and Gregory Smith - sheds much light onto the background of the man who would become the artist.
By the way, next Saturday will be his 98th birthday.