An art of no dogma: Philosophical anarchist protest and affirmation in Barnett Newman's writings and art.
Item
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Title
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An art of no dogma: Philosophical anarchist protest and affirmation in Barnett Newman's writings and art.
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Identifier
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AAI3063881
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identifier
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3063881
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Creator
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Schoenfeld, Ann Alexander.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Mona Hadler
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Date
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2002
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Art History
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Abstract
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Notions of freedom, the individual's relation to freedom, and the enactment of freedom pervade most theories of modern art and modern art practice. This dissertation attempts to expand even further the ways in which concepts of freedom have been incorporated into fields of artistic activity. By examining what philosophical anarchism is and how it was adopted by Abstract Expressionist Barnett Newman, this dissertation demonstrates that anarchist ideals gave greater meaning to his work.;Specifically, this study investigates Newman's engagement with philosophical anarchism, especially the ideas articulated by a most important theorist, Peter Kropotkin. Newman's writings from the 1920s to 1968 when he wrote an essay titled "The True Revolution is Anarchist!" are examined in detail, as are particular artworks.;With a lens focused on the instances of anarchist thought, opinions, and metaphors expressed by Newman, this dissertation elucidates a lifetime of interest in the model of Kropotkin. Newman's ongoing complaints against dogmatic systems, one individual speaking for another, his misreading of Mondrian as authoritarian are considered. Newman's 1936, self-published magazine, The Answer is examined for the first time to illustrate the complexity and consistency Newman's thought on issues regarding freedom and bettering society. This dissertation also provides research on instances of modern artists and critics' identification with anarchism, especially the influential Herbert Read. The study demonstrates that philosophical anarchism has often been present within the discourse of freedom that has informed modern art.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
