1/6 The Rules Of Abstraction With Matthew Collings 

Abstract art is built on common language. It is a commonality by all that is made by a humans. Any mark, gesture, swatch of color holds a language. The color blue might elicit different feelings or thoughts in different people, but blue in itself speaks of human physiology/biology and our range of vision in the visible spectrum, as well as all the present manifestations of that color in life. An aggressive gesture mark might express anger, speed, the noncontinuous reality of time, or it could mean nothing at all. Abstract art can be an action, like a dance. It can be about the present, a moment immortalized in time. It can be just as readily about nothing. Something and nothing are opposing poles of the same dynamic. How far can you go in the direction of nothing, until you get back to something? If merit were only credited to meaning; how much meaning would a piece of art need to qualify? What level of insight has to be proven for praise? Everything is a sliding scale. Disgust, offense, repulsion, are just as readily explored in art. Art was never synonymous with beauty. Aesthetic language spans all language, even the negative. If art undermines the categories by which you set to access value, might art challenge those categories and question as to why you have them in the first place? Not understanding a piece isn't an attack on the viewer's intelligence. It might only be in conflict with where your values lay in art. Some people have trouble looking for meaning in abstract art. My question is why are they looking for meaning at all? What questions do you think art should answer? If a portrait painter painted a woman, with flawless technique; what would be the meaning in that? The beauty of women? Beauty of natural shapes or light? Is that enough meaning? Is that important meaning? Or maybe, just the skill, merits the praise. Thinking like, a child can do it, or I can do it, isn't a valid critique on talent. Someone who says this is scribble, is more than welcome to buy the supplies, scribble and try to sell it. The term Starving artist is a stereotype for a reason (representational or not). Do we know how long this man has been drawing? Did he go to school? How many has he made? I guarantee, if an art school graduate and someone who never draws were both to scribble; the art school student's scribbles would be more appealing in a variety of subtle ways. The marks would have more confidence, the way the line interacts with the available space, more considered, and the balance of mark making between compression and space would be thought out. Every man can throw a punch, but a trained boxer doing the same kinetic action yields a much different result. There is plenty of representational art that people would say is bad. A beautiful landscape may express the beauty of nature. But for a person that was ever lost in the woods, they would say this is a lie, saying that nature instead is brutal and unforgiving, impersonal and uncaring. Meaning can be vast or narrow. Graphic designers, for ads, work to have narrow meaning. They want to tell you what to think without variation from their purpose. Abstract art is vast. Every person approaches and has a different experience with it. This is why people collect together in galleries with wine, but don't collect around billboards. If you have spent your life trying to decode abstract art, maybe try the polar opposite and decide there is nothing to decode; that there is nothing to get which is sitting outside or your intellectual range. It can be something that you totally get because there is nothing to get, and in that nothing can be everything, if you decide that too. A beautiful flower tells you all it wants to say. There is no more to decode, than there is a sunset.

I like how the subtitles are sometimes inaccurate and say "yeah" now and then out of the blue. The video itself is abstract art

It is Experimental and Improvisation... Hello from India 🇮🇳.

Photography changed everything. If you wanted something to look realistic, taking a photo was easier, faster and more realistic. Artists simply started painting things cameras can't see.

Remember watching this 2 years ago and being taken aback by Klint's work, so pleased to have finally seen them in the flesh, absolutely amazing!!

Ive never felt so visually connected to an artist as an artist myself, hilma af klint, a kindred spirit.

To create is to express into existence what already exists . Therefore you know what to say before you say it. Talking without knowing what you are saying is an activitity that does not do anything but failures. I learn from your mistakes so please continue with it.

She was listening to her family and friends in Spirit. None of us truly die; our physical body dies, but not our spirit. He is speaking of his own opinion. Klint was a medium, and I know of what she spoke.

I'm more of a portrait artist ability wise, but I kinda fell in love with abstract art after years of being an art instructor for youth & found it more accessible for some of them. Abstract art makes one focus more on the main elements of ART such as composition, contrast, complimentary colors, texture, movement, etc. It's a great exercise for ANY serious artist.

Great video :) Spirits are all around us and in us. You can feel them each time you get lost in the music, fall asleep at the beach or paint.

What a wonderful documentary !

Matthew Collings is like your favourite Uncle explaining something tremendously confusing in a very understandable matter. Every time i watch him explain something, i would like to paint a canvas with him cause we are so complementary in our styles. Would be a great experience!

Helmet of Clint, one of my favourite artists.

0:54 "black square" is clearly hung upside down. They need to fix that mistake.

I love this man 😍

Great Documentary !!!

Thanks ever so much for uploading and sharing this documentary!

thanks for your page, always waiting for new great docos. Lovely to see Collings back with something new. Bravo

I don't wish to comment on the content of the video, but here's a question to those who denounce abstract and 'modern art' in general. In music and movies, there are sounds which sound sad, scary or cosmic while in nature these sounds might be non existent. Then how come we have universally come to associate these sounds with certain emotions? The way jazz speaks to us even without vocals, lines, orientation, colors, shapes and space between them speak too. And while it might not say the same thing to everyone, it says something which is open for interpretation and that's the beauty of it.

Artists can be well served by the basic studies/understanding of: Quantum Physics, Philosophy, and basic or intro to Logic, these serve to strengthen the Creative Juices, as the open the mind and support *"Infinite Possibilities" Spirit or Soul is *energy* and energy is eternal - Quantum 0hysics. Avoid limiting the possibilities. Quantum Physics also proclaims that "Thought proceeds Manifestation", therefore I proclaim, *"The Bang came 2nd"*... Limitless potentials when mind is truly - wide open.

I love that idea of abstract being a way of a soul to express its human experience in simplicity, you can see it in a lot of the art shown

I really ilke abstract thinking but if you look at early drawings of abstract painters you will realize that they are really good at drawing form nature and figurative painting. So in my opinion abstraction is a process where artist is trying to abstract the subject from it's visual reality and adds a new value to it by using new shapes which symbolizes the subject.

This video too funny! Comments below enhancing the mirth. What joy it brings tonight. Gratitude for cast and commentary.

Rule #1: "There are No Rules" Freedom is a Choice. Art is expression, from within, and always there's choice.

I love the comments! Thank you everyone! Truly inspired! Liked the documentary too! ❤️ thank you!!!

How arrogant of Collings to decide that AF Klint is or is not in touch with spirits. He does not know anything about the universe. None of us know for sure what may be the extent of unperceived reality. Most of humanity believes in spirits of some kind. After telling us there are no such things as spirits, he orders us to keep an open mind. Love Klimt and Kandinsky BTW.

Remember watching this many years ago. It's still the only other person I've been aware of with the identical spelling of my surname, apart from family of course. Greetings from Hertfordshire.

I AM TRIPPING BALLS ON ACID WATHCING THIS THANK YOU

The 'painting ' at 2:20 is a quilt! My Granny made them!

Abstract artists are the embodiment of free creative spirit. However, "amid complicated and potentially confusing works there are hidden rules", especially when you take your time to decode it. Thank you for such insightful video series. If you're interested in taking a closer look at the artworks of famous Early Abstract artists, we've created the entire video for you to appreciate the deep meaning behind each piece.

I'm loving the abstracts shown: first, fourth & fifth.

Painting with the spiritual voice is the intuition within

Abstract art is a direct reflection of one's deepest most intimate subconscious.

Bonus Rule: Many people aren't going to watch something with a commercial before and then every following 3 minutes.

Thank you v much for upoading - missed this the first time round, always enjoy Matthew's docs.

absolutely grateful for this series of documentaries! thank you!

I thoroughly enjoyed this documentary and video. I clicked the favorite and the watch again so that I can re-watch it and learn from everything you said through the repetition. I have not learned this much about art since taking "art appreciation" in school and that was all about Christian art in the early and middle ages. There turned out to be NO TIME for learning about any modern art in the private school I was attending at the time. I thank you SO much for sharing this.

Abstract art is just an extension of the artist's thoughts, emotions and feelings.

Rules of Abstraction ? Planned chaos ? The end result mostly looks exactly like that. Perfect though to cover the chicken coop !

Abstract art = creativity , hunting for the infinite. Question reality . Great video

I love you for posting these, I love you so much

Beautiful concept - to look for some visual metaphor that is great enough to touch on the feeling of reality

So grateful of the uploads!

My other dilemma is that when I did start selling my artwork as a student… I didn’t photograph all of my pieces, I sold at least 30 or 40 that I didn’t document which is my fault but I also didn’t ask for much because I don’t believe art shouldn’t be only for the wealthy… I believe art should be for everyone… even if you have to buy a high-quality print… I guess that’s the way to make money these days is to digitize and duplicate thousands of thousands of times over and over for 10 or $20 apiece… It’s really sucks but that’s what people are doing.

"Whoever heard of rules in a knife fight?" - Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid.

My new path I think for this year. Just gotten into Abstract Art..in fact I got to obsessed with finding the stuff on the web about 5 weeks ago I was going to bed and lying there almost naturally hallucinating. I found altho I love colour, pen seems to be what my spirit prefers. I went wild when I found out about Kandinsky...what a charming and interesting series. Liked and saved.

As an artist I cannot imagine having someone else pick out my colors...that's half the fun for me when envisioning/starting a new painting...as is sometimes me changing them as it goes along.

I LOATHE that this commentator says there is no such thing as actual spirits. I am an artist and psychic. I balk when people who do NOT experience something feel they have a FACTUAL analysis ("spirits are projections of our minds") . Well, Monsieur -- I would argue that EVERYTHING is projected from our minds. Amen.

Abstract art is simply “ a person whom desires to create their own reality “ a way to control shapes and colors in reality and tell your story within those pictures and wanting to leave those feelings in a physical form ( reality) My opinion but who am I but a abstract artist........

Wow, amazing art. I remember when I visited France many years ago and saw Mona Lisa. I've always wondered if she smiles or not...

Klint also was a classically trained artist. The translation into spiritual beauty (balance, form, colour, light) to the beholding eye came from deep learning.

The music put on these kinds of documentaries distorts the impression of what you see.

Abstract art is about how you feel and less of what you see so look within yourself.

Wonderful learning experience. As a lover of abstraction I wish others to understand a type of sensing &connectivity that what ones sees or experiences - this form is another way of perceiving reality..that of the unknown being a major factor much of the time. Also basic elements such as line color shape etc become dynamic in a different way than realistic depiction.

This video very cleverly promotes and normalizes occult practices.

Beautiful thx 😊

Abstract art has been around for thousands of years - it's decorative.

I love hearing people discuss abstract art. It reminds me of my parents trying to explain the crazy shit I did at school that they put on the refrigerator. Them: Our boy was really digging into his creative brain here, and expressing himself through the use of negative space. Me: I got bored and quit to play tag instead.

the perfectly matched soundtracks 💋

Art Documentaries & Matthew Collings, good job. Together we are stronger! :) :)

This is so inspiring. I’m ready to paint 🙌🏽

Rule Number One: There are No Rules.

I see that this video has sparked a vibrant discussion of what is abstract art, and so it succeeds in the 100 yr discussion of what abstract art is. Must say that there were some entertaining moments when reading the subtitles. So many interpretations of the presenter's lovely accent, and they truly detracted from the quality of the video.

Kandinsky is my favorite artist. I have several of his prints in my home.

"this work is by lube off pop over" I'm dead :D

It’s his opinion. I respect his opinion. You can disagree and yet be respectful. Try it sometime.

Thanks for the upload!

THAT IS IMPRESSIVE EXPLAINATION OF ABSTRACT ART..FEELING AND THOUGHTS ARE EXPRESSIVE THROUGH SHAPS AND COLORS

The BBC trying to tell us the 'rules' of abstract art with a non-abstract artist *laughs*

where is the rest of this doco!

I learned 3 things after I discovered Abstract Art. Rule number 1 is that there is no hard rule. Rule number 2 is that whatever rational objectivity has created emotional subjectivity has imagined more beautiful. Rule number 3 is that colors that are in the soul are more real than those that are in the illusion of rational reality. After knowing the works of Kandinsky, Rothko, Hilma af Klint, Tomie Ohtake and Manabu Mabe I cannot look at a work from the Renaissance of Michelangelo, Da Vince or perhaps any realist work and think that they are more real than abstract works. Thanks thanks for posting this video

incredibly engrossing and enriching documentary on such a mysterious trend in art:)

Interesting... but so many points to disagree with. Rules may exist, but many artists, whether working in a non-representational or representational style, rely heavily on their instincts in their use of color, composition, etc. People may only glance at a Mondrian, yet his works are among the most widely appropriated for product packaging and other uses. The illusion of layering in the work by Popova (squares morphed???) is acheived not so much by the 'angles' or the juxtaposition of the forms, but by the use of strong contrast between the white form seen as 'floating' on top of the image and it's wamer color. This white is warmer than the white used as the 'background' color in this work (and is also warmer than the white Mondrian usually used as a 'ground' color in his paintings).

She puts an apron on him, mixes some paint and makes him stand around painting crappy art, detailed to her every whim. That's way more creative than the usual sub/dom thing. Have to give them that.

دي تاني مرة أتفرج فيها على الوثائقي ده هو نفسه عبارة عن فن تجريدي

One of the best videos till date about spiritual insights in abstraction, abstractionist artists are connected to the Universal life source, Thanks for sharing!

He just said “art isn’t made from visions” and threw Hilma af Klint’s art out the window and now I can’t watch the video!!!!!

This seems like such an interesting video but I find it difficult to watch since he keeps making unnecessary breaks in his sentences and now I can't stop reading the comments like it.

Jimmy Wrayge....!!! it's maybe the best work you've ever done! Not that I am an expert but I was greatly moved! Just amazing, beautiful ~expressing AND evoking so much emotion. Deft, powerful and delicate strokes. You KNOW I just love my "Children Banned from music lessons in Iran"....and even tho it looks great in my apartment. .... I'd sure love to live with one of these new pieces for a good long while!. How about a swap 😉 But seriously ...wow! Congratulations, it's a wonderful collection and I'm coming in soon to see if live!

Thanks for the informed learning

Who on earth wrote the subtitles for this programme? Not someone from the BBC, I hope!

That whole theosophy segment screams occult

Thank's! Steven Miller

A few words about Compmaturism. Today you can still get a few or a dozen good works by Compmaturists. In a few years it will be impossible, Some collectors already have 50 works of Compmaturism. The main destinations are Dubai, Hong Kong and London

I find it funny that Mr. Collings's work , what I've seen of it, is rendered regularly by many friends and relatives of mine who quilt. So, who is feeding off of whom? Oh well, off to take a nap on what appears to be what Mr. Collings's designed, but my great grandmother executed.

Helmet of clint? Some of the mistakes in subtitles made me giggle a little bit :-D

Love this type of painting.

I often have ideas about artworks and then find out it's already been done over 100 years ago 😯

The subtitles are pretty abstract too..

Thank you for this. You educated me on Hilma af Klint. Up until today I had never heard of her. She's one of a kind, isn't she?

After the invention of photography, many artists felt that they’d come to an impasse. Fundamental questions changed, from how well a painter reflected nature to “what now?” and “how do we stay relevant?” New ways of looking at art emerged from existential crisis, changing how we saw images, as a purely philosophical matter, as divorced or “abstracted” from nature. Soon Leo Stein, the brother of Gertrude Stein, who “discovered” Picasso, Braque, Matisse and others, began advising art speculators to “only buy art you hate.”

His voice.....national geographic..😍🥰 I don’t remember a thing he said. But still very interesting..

Whats with the " YEAH" subtitles ? LoL

me: Trying to learn abstraction The clip: 2:14 me: Is that a sign?

At some point, the artist asks himself a question. How far is his workshop habit with creation? Will his learned and established painting habits and tricks allow him to create new, fresh things? The state of freedom from habits is possible only when we allow us to reject all limitations. Compmaturism, a new direction in art transforms the emotions of the creator into works. There is no room for speculation, no corrections. No planning, only vivid emotions. That's why I love Compmaturism

thank you so much

@ 10:20 mark he said there are no such things as "spirits"... well he absolutely wrong about that... just last week I went down to the local and bought myself a whole bottle of "spirits" ... 90 proof spirits at that

Art is art... if you don't like this, maybe you'll love that... all in the eyes of the beholder... some of this stuff is Crap: I know it, you know it, and no amount of fancy descriptions and imagined thought processes will ever persuade us that a kid down the street couldn't do something similar in his garage in twenty minutes... and some of this stuff is just fantastic

Fantastic!

dude you're amazing i love this!