Mondrian

In my RISD lectures, I frequently use Mondrian as an example of a painter who moved from realism to abstraction. His less known early work moved from realism through cubism to the geometric abstractions he is most recognized for. He edited down but all his observations came from nature. Take a look at his early landscape paintings.

Now watch as they begin to abstract….. Mondrian applies a system of organization to observation.

Observation and intellect come into play, a fascinating internal exchange.

The fulcrum, where he steps over the edge of the cliff into pure abstraction.

Suddenly this all makes perfect sense, abstraction is the process of editing.

The Eames house, the influences as applied to architecture. This wonderful house, was conceived in 1945

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eames_House

And finally, Yves Saint Laurent Mondrian dress. Frivolous? The Rijks Museum in Amsterdam didn’t think so, it’s in their permanent collection:)

https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/BK-2011-58

Seeing, thinking, editing. Design / engineering. Blokwerk by Brintons.