Definition Of Non Objective Art
Non Objective Art is a form of abstract art that is unique within its own way. Often it will be geometric only in Form and shape.
Its subject remains often as an idea which is conveyed through the whole of the work rather than an object within the work. Nevertheless it can also retain an object as a protagonist or a subject.
It is in fact this idea by definition of the subject which needs to remain in focus moving forward. Here is a critical pin upon which much by definition hinges.
Often colors can hold varied degrees of contrast and gradation. High contrast can be common, yet subtle gradation can allow for greater flow.
As I continue forward from here get ready for an argumentative and debatable topic. How Non Objective Art is presented, classified, and spoken of is not equal among all.
Yet what I present here is a more technical perspective from classification.
What Is The Difference Between Non Objective And Non Representational Art?
If you search online you will find many references linking Non Objective Art to non representational. While this may be conversationally equated to being equal, it is not true by technical definition.
Non Objective works will have some object, form, and representation. The emphasis of the art is placed upon emotion and movement within the art. Yet it is common for geometric shape or some representation to be present.
Non representational art on the other hand should lack any form of representational qualities. This by technical definition removes the art from being non objective. This is where confusion sets in.
The reason for why it is called non representational is due to the lack of clear subject. In some cases it lacks any shape or form at all.
It is due to this reason that Non Objective Art can be spoken of by some as being a form of Figurative Art. While abstract, it is not completely without shape or form in its composition.
The non objective often will use broken geometry, irregular rhythm, and have a more random nature. Nevertheless it still can posses shape and form. This can include objects but these objects are typically represented in a broken nature.
By contrast a representational work is the antithesis to each of these counterparts. Representational art will carry an idea, principle, moral, or merely reflect the natural environment.
It is this idea of what is the subject in the art with its use of symbols that provokes one to thought concerning that meaning. Non objective art still holds a subject. Non representational does not.
How Can You Tell The Difference?
The word Objective is key. This speaks to an element of art by the use of shape to form objects. The objects used within the art become elements through shape which collectively speak to its subject.
Objects within most representational works are focused in, on, or around the main protagonist of the work being the subject. Typically the subject is also an object which is easy to recognize. The meaning behind the world becomes clear.
In the case of Non Objective Art this subject is more inferred and impacts emotions and thought. This is accomplished by broken geometry or objects.
Therefore the work has lost its objectivity and we know that it is speaking to something beyond what can be represented.
In this way it is still classified as an abstract art. The core behind abstract concepts is the use of of the medium to convey a message. It is about experiencing the art as well as the visual aesthetic appeal.
I will give these works here found at American Art to clarify this topic. Within the works represented on their Non Objective selection you will clearly be able recognize the symbols. You will notice some objects within the works.
The objects used are of broken geometry. They are not truly representative. There also exists a broken rhythm.
In some paintings clearly there are men represented. You can find instruments.
Within a wood carving you will see an owl. Nevertheless this owl is distorted and outside of its natural representation but still is beautiful.
These works are not devoid of shape or form depending upon the medium it is made in.
This is important to note as many today improperly classify what Non Objective Art is.
Misclassification Is Easy To Happen
There are times when the boundaries are often blurred between what is purely Non Objective and non representative.
It may have geometric shape but the sum of those shapes do not create a representation by symbol, use of space, or form to a defined subject matter.
I will present this set of works found at Megan Coyle’s site. Here she is attempting to answer this same question. Yet in her definition she is using collages as the example.
Her examples would better fit as non representational in classification rather than Non Objective. While conversationally we would call what she has presented as accurate, it is a mere technical perspective.
A better classification to picture Non Objective Art would be cave drawings. It is through the use of the line, symbol, and geometric shape that define what Non Objective means.
Use Of The Line, Symbols, And Geometry In Non Objective Art
Non Objective Art is heavily reliant upon the use of symbols within a work. This too is another difference between it and non representative works. It is the symbol which becomes a vehicle for the message.
To create these symbols the line is used. These two will almost always be present within most Non Objective pieces. The geometry they form can indeed be shapes other than triangles, squares, or tetrahedrons.
Thus this is the reason why cave drawings are an easy way to place into someones mind what the definition of this art is.
There will be those that immediately scream out that these drawings are representative. Yes indeed they are.
Non Objective does not necessarily mean that it is by default non representational. Here clarity is needed.
Why Do People Confuse Non Objective Art?
The reason for the confusion with Non Objective Art is due to a misplaced focus. What they become focused on is the works representation on the scale of realism to being stylized.
As art begins to lose realism it is natural for it to be classified as being more abstract.
On the extreme end of this scale a stylized work can in fact be purely abstract and also non representational. Back up towards the middle of that scale a little and you begin to find where Non Objective Art exists.
Yet part of the confusion for what defines Non Objective Art can also be found by where that persons perspective of art comes from.
An artist which focuses on naturalism will see a much broader scope of what they call Non Objective.
An artist who focuses on abstract art will begin to cling more to different classifications of what makes abstract art true to its definition. Here the educational background also plays a role as well.
What an art may be called regionally where the artist resides will influence this definition. Chinese and Japanese arts are a great example to this point.
Non Objective Art is not speaking to the imagery of representation. Rather it speaks to its subject.
How that subject is defined within the work is what makes it Objective or Non Objective. When the subject is inferred through the objects then it becomes Non Objective.
Whether it holds representative qualities or not is far more immaterial for its classification.
Does The Confusion Really Matter?
If your focus is the abstract arts it can matter. Also if you run a gallery and are seeking to more accurately classify works it is important.
Yet for most of us in day to day conversation and within our work it is not important. We often use terms outside of their technical definition to mean something other than what they do.
An example to this point is form and shape. We use these interchangeably in conversation with few noticing the errors by context.
While it is nothing to lose sleep over it still is at least good to know the technical differences.
Why Do Some Claim Non Objective Art Has No Form Or Shape?
I have seen those who teach educationally that in order to classify art as Non Objective requires that it have no form or shape. This is not true at all.
Here they have taken the words Non Objective and non representational to mean the same thing. So lets dive quickly into what representational means.
For art to be representational all it requires is for recognizable objects to exist within the work.
Whether these objects speak to a subject which can be an idea or defined by shape within the work does not matter. Here in both cases the art represents something.
An object is merely an object formed by shape. To be objective all that is required is for there to be the element of a line forming a shape.
If it is a recognizable object then it is representational. How this relates to a subject within the work, or if it is inferred, is another matter entirely.
So what makes it Non Objective? It is when the sum of the objects speak to an idea or subject which is not represented within the objects of the work.
Due to this it would seem that all Non Objective Art should be representational to something. Yet this is not the case.
Here is where more abstract concepts especially focused on geometric shapes come into focus.
In this way rarely is this style of art ever purely without shape or form. Why some claim it to be so is due to how they understand abstract arts.
Components Of Importance In Non Objective Art
We have discussed the use of the line, shape, and how objects are formed. Yet with these is also the use of color and its value. Color is absolutely critical to Non Objective Art.
When a subject is not clear by representation the artist will rely upon other aspects within the work to convey meaning. Among those aspects is color.
The use of space is another critical component. How the work is formed with its foreground and background will define the feel of the art.
Within some arts you also will find texture as another important component. Here often within sculptures the artist calls upon the visual appearance as well as the feel by touch. The senses are used to take in the whole of the art rather than a focus to one singular meaning.
What Is The Goal Of Non Objective Art?
The goal of Non Objective Art is unique. When compared to other abstract arts without any shape or form the meaning can be ambiguous and without definition. Here the goal is very different.
The purpose behind a Non Objective work is about the experience more than definition. One can look on someone and see they are beautiful. It is altogether different to experience that person relationally by their colors, texture, and context of emotion.
Here is where the Non Objective world diverges from typical representational and non representational works. There is enough visually to give a basis for foundational context yet the full meaning must be experienced in other ways.
These works can hold a more intimate feel to them in their story telling and imagery. Much like the more ancient cave drawings the depictions speak to more than an event. It is about the feel and life behind what is drawn and given.
Moving From History To Modern Arts
Picasso was an explorer in art. From abstract works and aiding to help found ideas such as Cubism, he crossed many waters with a brush. Many artists within the early 20th century were seeking to find new things and ways of representing their ideas.
As the abstract arts came to maturity by the mid 20th Century explosive growth not only within art but also in industry sought these ideas. We again find ourselves in a similar time such as that of Picasso.
The technology which artists possess today give new horizons upon which they can explore and push the envelope in art. Digital works are not alone in this exploration of creation.
Today with the ability of 3d printing and also software modeling we see a new form of mixed media emerging. Traditional arts are beginning to meet the digital world being formed together into something new.
With these ideas we see the worlds of Objective and Non Objective Art blur together. Animation as an example aids in creating new abilities to transition something from one perspective to the next.
I have no doubt that it will not be in the too distant future where we will once again redefine meaning to what these terms mean to us in our age.