Do You Know What Makes an Art Style an Art Movement?

One of the characteristics that often separates humans from other animals is the need for self-expression. People express themselves in many ways, from the way they act to the way they dress. A form of expression that has been around long before people even expressed themselves through words is art. Since then, art has grown to encompass a wide variety of mediums, styles, and creations. Over the years, certain trends in art tend to develop with certain styles becoming popular for a space in time. These periods are generally called movements. With each movement, of course, a large part of what was considered cool art and what was “like, so last century,” was often based upon opinion.

Two Movement Examples

Within certain art movements you will always find pieces and artists that are considered to be iconic of that certain style. For example, if you were to view a painting covered in paint that seems to be thrown, splattered, and dripped upon a large canvas, you will probably recognize it as a Jackson Pollock, or at least a piece that is inspired by his work. This type of painting is associated with a movement called Abstract Expressionism, which was an American art movement in the 1940s. 

Another American art movement that followed shortly after Abstract Expressionism in the 50s in 60s was Pop Art. This movement was largely composed of art that referenced popular culture of the time, such as from comic strips, television shows, and even food packaging. A very recognizable artist from this time was Andy Warhol.

Art Movement Rebellion

As was a common trend for many art movements, the Pop Art movement was thought to be a sort of rebellion against Abstract Expressionism, with its almost 180-degree turn from abstract pieces without recognizable forms to realistic, very recognizable pieces. Another example of an art movement breaking away from a previous movement, or in this case movements, was Cubism. Cubism was popular in the early 20^th century in France, and was marked by abstract geometric forms that were an attempt to break away from the previously popular representational art movements, such as Impressionism and Realism.

Keep in mind, however, that while many of these examples discuss painting styles, changes of what was determined as cool art and what was no longer the predominant style of the time also involved writing, music, and even theatrical styles.