Minimalism was a style of painting and sculpture that developed in the 1960’s in the United States. Minimalists removed recognizable images, the illusion of space, and narrative content from their works. Instead, they focused on the basic elements of art, such as line, shape, and color. Minimalism emphasizes geometric abstraction. Its influences were two art movements of the early 1900’s, Constructivism in Russia and De Stijl in the Netherlands. Minimalism was also influenced by the work of such American artists as Barnett Newman , Ad Reinhardt, and David Smith.
Most Minimalist works have an overall, unified composition, frequently incorporating a grid based on mathematical proportions. Most Minimalist paintings are of one color or contrast a limited number of colors. Brushstrokes are rarely visible. Many Minimalist works, especially sculptures, are constructed of everyday materials, including steel and other metals, fluorescent light tubes, house paint, or automobile paint. Many Minimalist sculptors design their work but do not take part in the actual creation. Instead, the sculpture is constructed industrially. Minimalist works are generally large and rarely use either frames or pedestals in their presentation.
A number of American painters and sculptors led the Minimalism movement. They included Carl Andre, Ronald Bladen, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, Robert Mangold, Brice Marden, Agnes Martin, Robert Morris, Dorothea Rockburne, Robert Ryman, Richard Serra, Tony Smith, and Frank Stella.
Minimalism also extends to other art forms. In music, Minimalism is characterized by repeated melodies, rhythms, and harmonies that gradually change. The repeated patterns often create a hypnotic effect. The Americans Philip Glass and Steve Reich are noted Minimalist composers. In literature, Minimalism is a style of extreme realism, emphasizing a flat tone, an obsession with drabness, and inarticulate characters. These qualities are reflected in the short stories of the American writer Raymond Carver.
