Date of Award

8-1986

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

Richard Rickert

Second Advisor

W. Dean Eckert

Third Advisor

Myron Kozman

Abstract

Structuralism is an interdisciplinary form of modern painting that suggests the illusion of movement and growth through the conscious manipulation of flat colors and abstract geometric forms. The practice of Structuralism involves more than a grasp of the craft of painting. The artist is required to understand and practice the laws of proportion as founded by the early Egyptians and Greeks. He must have an understanding of modern color theory and he must master and practice the laws of visual perception as stated by the Gestalt psychologist, David Katz.

I have tried to recreate the chronological development of Structuralism by following the root sources of the various disciplines that made contributions to the formation of Structuralism. Jay Hambidge made dynamic symmetry and the laws of proportion intelligible.Rodchenko, Malevitch, and Mondrian searched for a purity in art. Their simple geometric forms and pure colors served to popularize the abstract in art. The logic of color theory and color structure developed through the discoveries of Newton, Maxwell, Hering, Rood and Ostwald. The study of color theory by Delacroix, Seurat and Macdonald-Wright was assimilated by Hiler in the Thirties and blended together with the geometry of Hambidge to create the color-form concept of Structuralism.

Structuralism is essentially an American art form established by Hiler and later practiced by Cunningham and Beckmann. Structuralism may never gain the popularity enjoyed by other isms, but it will always remain as a source of knowledge and rediscovery. For those who want to understand the aesthetics of geometry in art or extend their knowledge of color structure, the study of Structuralism can become fascinating.

Download

Included in

Painting Commons

Share

COinS