No Products in the Cart
My previous Galerie Stein magazine article characterized abstract art as rebellious. But can we say that abstract art is revolutionary? If we look to Marx (and poor neglected Engels), I think we can. Here's why:
Abstract art is sometimes regarded as apolitical or detached from social struggle because it doesn't obviously represent reality (in a realist sense). From a Marxist perspective, however, abstract art is actually a revolutionary force!
'Frederick the Great Playing the Flute at Sanssouci' by German realist artist Adolph von Menzel, 1852. An example of the bourgeois aesthetic at the turn of the century.
By rejecting traditional artistic representation, abstract art challenges the dominance of bourgeois aesthetics, which have historically prioritized realism and narrative-driven works that reinforce existing power structures. Instead, abstract art embraces new ways of seeing, opening space for alternative interpretations and critiques of capitalist ideology.
'Une soirée' by French realist artist Jean Béraud, 1878. An example of the realist bourgeois aesthetic a the turn of the century.
Marxist theory emphasizes the relationship between art and material conditions, questioning who controls artistic production and whose interests it serves. Abstract art, particularly in the early 20th century, emerged alongside political upheavals and sought to break free from elite control over artistic expression. Movements like Russian Constructivism fused abstract art with socialist ideals, using geometric forms and industrial materials to align with the working class rather than the aristocracy.
While some argue that abstract art is too removed from direct political messaging, its power lies in disrupting conventional ways of thinking. By rejecting realism, abstract art resists ideological conditioning and encourages viewers to question the status quo. Whether through radical experimentation or subverting artistic norms, abstract art can be a revolutionary act.
Pete Stein
Founder, Galerie Stein
Montreal
Galerie Stein will be presenting more contemporary abstract expressionist artists in 2025, both virtually at GalerieStein.com and in our gallery. Contact: Pete Stein at peter@GalerieStein.com.
