There were strong emotions regarding America, its leadership role in the world, and just the war in general. With many people unable to voice opinions and feelings, the passion of the post war era was reflected through art. This new art of the time became very different and unfamiliar than anything seen before. Abstract Expressionism, as it was called, was the reflection of all of the post war angst. .
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The term "Abstract Expressionism" is misleading. On its first appearance, it seemed like any genuine innovative style, breaking away with the past in a radical manner. It differed in the fact that the focus was no longer on the art created, but the process of creation.
Evolving after photography had proven its ability to capture appearances; abstract expressionism captured every walk of art that could not be conveyed through a set of lens. It gave complete freedom from conventional concerns and restrains, which led to unobstructed expressiveness and individualistic creativity. .
A great example of Abstract Expressionism is Jackson Pollock's Lavender Mist. It is an abstract drip painting, lacking anything pleasing to the eye, leaving behind only dripping paint, and small brush strokes. This piece, and all of Pollock's work post war, represented dark and anger filled thoughts, and were considered attempts to separate himself from popular American culture. This idea of trying to break away from what was traditional, is the exact fuel that Pop Art needed.
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In the 50's, Abstract Expressionism was considered to be the best art of all, the art to end all art. However, shortly after it's peak, the movement was over, and Pop was here. Pop art coincided with the youth movement, and the feeling of progression that was laced throughout the 60's. Many feel that the cause of the movement's popularity was because of abstract expressionism itself. People were tired of the war, and tired of the dark, post war thought, and there was a need to break away from the overly emotional works of the Abstract period.