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January 19, 2009

American Abstract Expressionism

Franz Kline was wont to doodle on an old phone book with a biro then blow it up big time with an overhead projector and paint it in with dripping black brush strokes.

Kline.jpg

This was referred to as spontaneity, but was mostly premeditated.

Cy Twombly would doodle and scratch in a seemingly spontaneous way across huge off white canvases.

twombly-2.jpg

Robert Motherwell was into his long running series of Elegies to the Spanish Republic, of which this is No. 110:

motherwell-elegy-110.jpg

All three attended the Black Mountain College a hot-bed of creative talent from 1933 to 1956, in everything from painting and sculpture to architecture and modern dance.

motherwell-studio.jpg
Robert Motherwell in his studio

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Cy Twombly in his studio

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Franz Kline in his studio [photograph: Fritz Goro]

Posted by john at January 19, 2009 11:29 PM

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