073 360 58 30
Mo — Su 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Abstract paintings and modern interior

Abstract paintings and modern interior

21/09/2021

Today abstraction still gives way in the modern interior of Ukrainian homes to such traditional genres of fine art as landscape and still life. But every year, avant-garde paintings find more and more fans. The reasons for the gradual change in trends are apparent - the modern rhythm of life radically changes our view of the world and our understanding of beauty.

The history of abstraction

According to art historians, abstract works first appeared before the advent of writing. Archaeologists find petroglyphs of animals surrounded by lines, dots, and other artistic elements several tens of thousands of years old. Abstract elements are also present in the works of Celtic masters who lived in the V century BC and Arab calligraphers who used floral and geometric ornaments. The history of abstract painting as a genre began only in the twentieth century. Having abandoned the principles of realism and imitation, artists began to search for new subjects and forms of expression. At the initial stage, biomorphic (W. Kandinsky) and geometric (K. Malevich) directions of abstract painting were formed. Their founders' ideas were later used when working on works of other genres and types of fine arts (landscape, sculpture).

Iryna Kolesnykova, painting "Autumn whirlwind", ID 13616 and Painting "Closer to autumn", ID 13614

The logic of abandoning the forms of natural objects continued to be developed by representatives of abstract expressionism in the middle of the twentieth century. In the work of Jackson Pollock, the idea was realized with the help of countless dashes and lines that demonstrated the process and movement without any geometric shapes. Mark Rothko proposed a fundamentally different approach. Instead of small elements indicating function and action, the artist used large monochrome planes. Today, abstractions are any paintings whose technique involves the use of abstract features (general, alienated from objects existing in reality).

Reasons for popularity

The rapid development of new technologies has radically changed the life of modern man. Now we simultaneously belong to both physical and virtual worlds, the boundaries of which are gradually blurring for us. The processes taking place in the world can no longer be depicted with the help of simple analogies and physical objects, so their site in our figurative system is occupied by abstract images that can capture pure movement without indicating what is moving. This trend has found its expression in the design of the interiors of houses.

Viktor Chumachenko, painting "Together", ID 13483 and Painting "Gathering 15", ID 13482

In addition, abstractions have several advantages in decorating other genres of fine art. The outlines of walls, ceilings, and other interior elements are combined with simple geometric shapes on the canvases. Abstract images on paintings can become a visual continuation of the contours of a sofa, table, or plasma TV mounted on the wall. In other cases, canvases are used to set accents and revitalize the interior. The absence of strict canons makes it possible to use any color solutions freely. Abstract painting opens up a lot of space for experimentation and the search for unique combinations of color and shape.

Types of abstract paintings

Organic abstractions are created using various elements of forms borrowed from wildlife. Binary images of multiple objects composed of fragments of insects, fish, animals, or plants can appear on such canvases. Depending on the technique of conveying the artist's meanings in his work, we can distinguish such types of paintings as organic, geometric, and non-figurative.

The artistic language of simple forms (circles, squares, trapezoids) is used when creating geometric abstractions. They fit perfectly into the modern interior, creating a single length in combination with straight lines of ceiling and wall contours. The severity of the outlines of geometric shapes not only structures the space but also participates in creating a unique atmosphere of the interior.

Anatolii Tertychnyi, painting "Autumn", ID 13244 and Painting "The window", ID 13245

Non-figurative paintings can be easily recognized by the absence of any precise forms on them. The length of the elements is structured according to the internal rhythm and directions of movement, which are created by broken lines, dashes, small spots, and strokes. In the works of true masters in all this chaos, there is an inner harmony that opens only after a long contemplation of the canvas.

In addition to traditional rectangular and square canvases, modular canvases are also used for abstract paintings. Such solutions make it possible to distribute the visual center of gravity of the art piece and better integrate it into the interior.

The question of artistic value

Often, when choosing paintings for the interior, the issue of the artistic value of the work should be given more attention. There are often cases when an art print (a copy printed on a printer) is ordered instead of a full-fledged picture. Such a functional approach reduces the level of requirements for paintings and stories, the very meaning of the creative process. At first glance, this approach can be justified, but only if the artistic component of the issue does not matter. The use of art prints or pictures of dubious quality can make a wrong impression on guests and have far-reaching consequences for interpersonal communication. In this matter, it is better to stick to the golden mean. Not everyone can afford to buy paintings by recognized masters. Still, there is always an opportunity to purchase a work at a reasonable price from a professional artist with a lesser-known name. An actual painting has every chance to become the soul of the interior, which will fill it with meaning, beauty, and extraordinary energy.

Tips for choosing paintings for the interior

Integrating the canvas into the interior can be complicated after the repair, so designers recommend paying attention to this issue in the early stages of project development. Ideally, the picture should be positioned as a work of art. To do this, you need to pay attention to the background and additional lighting. Small LED lights will focus on essential parts of the canvas and create an exciting play of light and shadow. The size of the work is also necessary. Too large a canvas will look ridiculous, violating the logic of the distribution of "things" in space. On the other hand, you should continue the idea of placing large paintings in small rooms. Subject to the requirements for the color scheme, large canvases can visually expand the space.

Oksana Reznik, painting "Way", ID 13142 and Painting "Along the line", ID 13143

There are several rules regarding the issue of combining the colors of the work with the surrounding space. The picture may not stand out against the general background due to the use of tones in the interior and may become a highlight that attracts the viewer's attention. In any case, the canvases are selected to establish a color balance. For example, if the walls are painted in soft colors, the picture can be bright, and vice versa. Minor details can radically affect the perception of the interior, so the selection of paintings should be approached responsibly. Ideally, it would be best if you invited a professional designer.

We draw abstractions on our own

From a technical point of view, painting abstract paintings are much more manageable than still lifes or landscapes. This simplicity encourages people without art education to seriously think about creating their work for the interior. Even the most talented master will not be able to read another person's thoughts and reproduce on the canvas a unique combination of spots, lines, and shapes that arose in his mind. The only way to avoid distortion of the original idea is to pick up a brush yourself.

Resin art

This technique involves the use of epoxy resins with the addition of dyes and hardeners as paints. The art material has a stunning texture and great depth of color. Under the influence of sunlight, dyes are destroyed very slowly. This property of epoxy resin guarantees the painting's durability and preservation of the original aesthetic appeal for many years. Wood, glass, paper, or fabric are used as a canvas. Epoxy resin is mixed with dyes in separate vessels, after which it is poured or transferred with a brush to the surface of the canvas. Integrating different solutions in cups is impossible: the temperature difference can cause various defects. After completing the drawing, you need to leave the work for 50-60 minutes so that the hardener has time to fix the pattern. After that, it is necessary to dry the resins during the day, preventing dust from getting on the decorative surface.

Fluid Art

The painting technique involves using fluid acrylic paints to create abstract scenes on canvas. In addition to dyes, varnishes, conditioners, silicone, and other materials are also used to preserve the picture. Diluted acrylic paints can be transferred by turning the cup, dirty filling, or filling with tiny spots. If it is a trial work, it is better to use at most three primary colors. After completing the painting, it should be left for 72 hours until the paints are completely hardened. From this moment, the canvas can be varnished. It should take 7 to 14 days for the colors to dry completely.

With the help of Fluid Art and Resin art, you can create incredible works that will fascinate the audience with attractive coloristic and compositional solutions. Such a picture will become a real highlight of the interior and a kind of mirror in which its creator's aesthetic values and worldview will find material expression.

KyivGallery art critic