Minimalism and It's Importance

What is the importance of Minimalism?

Minimalism is art that is expressed in a minimalistic nature. Minimalism shows the concept that less is more. Although much complexity is involved in the production of this artwork, the final product looks simplistic. The shapes are simple geometry and forms with solid colors. Minimalism teaches society that not much is needed for aesthetic appeal. People have too much clutter of items burdening and controlling society. Minimalism seeks to reduce to its base concept, as opposed to abstracts showing the whole concept in a different perspective. Minimalism seeks to represent the whole idea to a singular or select objects or painting. Artists in minimalism seek to capture ideas in seemingly simplistic lines and shapes, as opposed to drawing out the emotion or the object itself. Abstraction is all about the emotion that is evoked versus minimalism focuses on the core subject matter represented seemingly simplistically. Artists make use of the enclosures and open space and color as opposed to past artists using the full space on the canvases to show depth rather than the closed openness. Abstraction critiques the past use of lines to make complexity whereas minimalism breaks down the world into the simplistic form. It equires the viewer to build the deeper view of society represented through art as opposed to the artist drawing it. Minimalism serves to express feelings and emotions that are very complex in a simple and clean fashion. I believe it is very effective in helping people feel emotions abstractly and show appreciation for simplicity. In a world where people are greedy for more, minimalizing teachs the public to be appreciative of less. It is my belief that minimalism helps the viewer access even more complexity within themselves especially in emotion. We over-value complexity in our society. Simplicity would make us a higher functioning society in some respects. Minimalism serves to teach this.

Below is a piece of minimalist art titled A Wall for Apricots by Anne Truitt. It is simple, crisp, and clean with a rectangular geomoetric shape. It only holds three colors: orange, green, and light blue. It is successful as a minimalist piece because it conveys an abstract feeling that is complex by only using simple geometry. I like it because it is tasteful in nature and gives the essence of an apricot. You can almost feel the clean, crisp essence of a fruit by looking at it. It conveys an emotion, yet explaining that exact emotion is challenging even though it is obvious that there is the presence of one--the very nature of minimalism.