What Is Concrete in Art History?

Art|Art History

Concrete in art history is a term that refers to a style of art that emerged in the early 20th century. This style of art is characterized by its use of abstract and geometric forms, often combined with other materials such as metal and wood. The term “concrete” was first used in the 1920s by Hungarian painter László Moholy-Nagy to describe his own work and the work of other artists who were influenced by him, such as Theo van Doesburg, Jean Arp, and El Lissitzky.

Concrete art is based on the idea that artistic expression should be derived from pure form rather than from representational elements. This means that artists using this style focus on creating works using geometric shapes, lines, and colors that are self-contained and don’t represent anything else or evoke any particular emotions. This type of art emphasizes the relationship between form and color rather than subject matter or narrative.

Unlike traditional painting which relies primarily on brush strokes to create an image, concrete art often utilizes methods such as collage or assemblage to create a composition. Artists may also use industrial materials such as metal, glass, plastic, or concrete to create their works.

The resulting compositions are often highly structured yet abstract in nature. As with traditional painting, many concrete artists also employ symbolic elements within their works to convey meaning or express ideas about society or culture.

Concrete in art history has had a major influence on modern and contemporary artistic practices. It has been particularly influential for its role in paving the way for forms of abstract expressionism which focus on composition over narrative content or representation. Its approach to color theory has also been widely adopted by contemporary painters as well as sculptors working with three dimensional forms.

The legacy of concrete in art history continues today through its impact on postmodernist practices which embrace interdisciplinary approaches to creating artwork by combining different mediums and methods together into one cohesive piece. Additionally, many contemporary artists have drawn inspiration from concrete’s emphasis on pure form for their own creative endeavors which explore themes such as identity, politics, and social issues through an abstract lens.

Overall, “concrete” in art history refers to an influential style of 20th century art that emphasizes abstraction over representation as well as experimentation with materials and techniques from various disciplines ranging from painting to sculpture to design. Its influence can be seen throughout modern and contemporary artistic practices both directly through its formalistic elements but also indirectly through its influence on more experimental approaches for creating artwork that explore a wide range of subject matter beyond traditional aesthetics.

Conclusion: In conclusion, “concrete” in art history refers to a style of 20th century avant-garde art characterized by abstraction over representation and experimentation with various materials and techniques from different disciplines including painting, sculpture, design and collage/assemblage practice which has had a profound impact on modern artistic practices up until today.