Abstraction Quote by Max Bill
“We call those works of art concrete that came into being on the basis of their inherent resources and rules - without external borrowing from natural phenomena, without transforming those phenomena, in other words: not by abstraction.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Art Theory, 1950, essay on concrete art
The author defines concrete art as creations that arise solely from their own materials and rules, without referencing external natural forms or abstractions.
In simple terms: Art built from its own elements, not from outside references.
Key Takeaway
Create works that stand on their own material logic.
Themes
art
materialism
purity
creativity
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
theoretical
When to use this quote
- studio practice
- art education
- exhibition planning
- design process
Key Concepts
concrete art
aesthetic theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Can art be both pure and evocative?
- What does “no borrowing” mean for innovation?
A Different Perspective
May limit expressive possibilities tied to nature.
