About the +ART Column
The +ART Column shares stories that help you feel closer to art. We introduce featured artists for each season and offer clear explanations for those new to art, presenting its many facets from a variety of angles. Our aim is to help you discover little cues for letting art naturally find a place in everyday life. Come and enjoy the world of art at your own pace.
Contents
- Introduction
- What is art with no concrete form?
- It's perfectly fine not to "get it"!
- Three tips for enjoying abstract art
- Recommended ways to view it
- In closing
Introduction
"What exactly is this painting showing?" Have you ever thought that when looking at an abstract work?
Because landscapes and figures aren't clearly depicted, it's easy to feel puzzled, unsure of what it all means.
But in fact, abstract art has no "right answer." Its charm lies in being free to enjoy it however you like.
In this article, we'll share ways for anyone who feels "I just don't get abstract art" to enjoy it with ease!
What is art with no concrete form?
To begin with, abstract art doesn't depict real landscapes or figures as they are; instead, it expresses through color, shape, and line!
Rather than faithfully rendering what the eye sees, it often expresses emotions, concepts, and moods, so its meaning varies from viewer to viewer.
For the history of abstract art and a detailed explanation, see here! → What is abstract art? Exploring its appeal
It's perfectly fine not to "get it"!
The beauty of abstract art is that there's no "right answer"!
Unlike paintings of concrete subjects, abstract art has no single "correct" interpretation.
Even when looking at the very same work, everyone feels it differently.
In fact, the joy of abstract art lies precisely in responding to it in your own way!
It's fine for everyone to feel it differently!
Rather than asking "What is this depicting?", try valuing your own senses — "This color palette feels calming,"
"This shape is interesting!"
Three tips for enjoying abstract art
Enjoy the balance of color and form
What matters is feeling things like "This palette is uplifting!" or "This shape is fun!"
Instead of searching for meaning, start by enjoying the mood that the colors and shapes carry.
Trust your instinct about "like" or "dislike"
The appeal of abstract art is enjoying it through feeling!
Cherish that gut sense of "I can't put it into words, but I just like it!"
Let your own imagination expand
If someone is viewing it with you, try asking, "How does this painting feel to you?"
You may get a completely different reading, sparking a fresh discovery — "Oh, you see it that way!"
What is dialogue-based viewing? A new way to enjoy art, even for beginners
Recommended ways to view it
Looking closely up close vs. stepping back to take in the whole
Up close, abstract art lets you enjoy the brushwork and the layering of colors!
From a distance, the balance and the interest of the overall composition can really stand out.
Try observing from various distances.
Viewing while listening to music is an option, too
Playing music you love while you view can make a work's mood feel different.
A calm tune versus an intense one, for example, can leave you with entirely different impressions of the same piece!
In closing
Abstract art is the kind of art that is "interesting precisely because you can't quite pin it down." Rather than seeking a right answer, enjoy it freely while valuing your own senses. You're sure to discover a new side of art's appeal!
Why not add a touch of art to your space?
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