hey there, [better title: What is abstraction (formalistic)?]

I am trying to do an assignment for class, one of the pictures I have to take is abstraction (formalistic). I am not really sure what my

professor meant by it and I was wondering if someone else would know?

I can give you a strategy that will help you figure out what your professor meant. Look at the readings assigned for the class, including things that aren't due yet. Look at your professor's web site if there is one. Look for anything that she or he has published. Of course, talk to other students.

BTW, the subject your provided for your question here is very abstract.

Hi Jessica, You will get a lot more response if you actually post your question in the subject line. Did your professor not teach you what it was? Hmm.

There are a lot of ways to define abstraction, but I don't associate it with formalism, so I had to look up the difference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formalism_(art).

In my thinking, abstract would be to pervert the subject in the image, where formalism would be to capture its essence (shape, color, etc.). They are not really the same, but they could be combined. Like a macro shot of a well lit orange where the formalism would be done by color and perhaps spherical lighting, and abstract in the way you shoot it close up and emphasize the stippling of the skin with the shadow in the crevasses. You should do a little research on the web to see what a real artist would say about the two subjects<g>.

Hi,

do a Google for,

formalistic abstract art images

Firstly I advise you ask you teacher, exactly what was meant, and perhaps to recap over the terminology and meanings, with examples of some Known Photographer`s work, because the way you have worded the question, leaves the door open for a little debate, IMO.

***

But: if I were given the assignment, as you have stated it, with parenthesis around the word `formalistic`: I would select as my subject matter, a portion of a natural form (human, animal or plant) and make the issue of that ``form`` my primary subject, and then put it in ``abstraction``.

I think you could also choose to select an inanimate subject, (e.g. a piano), but IMO, it is more difficult to abstract an inanimate subject, to any great degree, and to score good marks in an assignment

***

Abstraction can be at several levels; and in several degrees.

Often the primary level of abstraction, is to make the image monochrome: abstracting all colour, to concentrate the eye on tone, lighting and texture. (Note: monochrome is NOT necessarily, Black and White).

Robert Mapplethorpe and Bill Henson both have many works which are many excellent examples of abstraction, especially of the human form (i.e. abstractions taken from after an original formalistic view of the subject).

This is how I interpret your question.

WW<div></div>

from the internet.........

for·mal·ism (fôrm-lzm)

n.

1. Rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms, as in religion or art.

2. An instance of rigorous or excessive adherence to recognized forms.

3. A method of aesthetic analysis that emphasizes structural elements and artistic techniques rather than content,

especially in literary works.