Minimalism started in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s in America. In some senses this movement is similar to abstract expressionism because of the use of forms, shapes and lines etc. Yet it is also very different; abstract expressionism shows feeling and emotion where as minimalism focuses on just one main view point, this makes the art more easy on the eye creating aesthetic. Aesthetic meaning ‘concerned with beauty and the appreciation of beauty’. I read that this movement was influenced by Bauhaus, De Stijl and the Constructivists. There work was unlike anything that was made during this time. Young American artists were seeing these works and liking them, they started to create new idea and designs.  

Minimalism is where artists create work with focusing on either the negative space or main object or form. They fist ever sign in art of minimalism is by an artist named Kasimir Malevic he produced a piece of work which was just a black square on a white canvas.  As you can see the main focus is on the square, this portrays the meaning of minimalism i think because of how simplistic it is. 

This movement is describes as an extreme form of abstract art. People look at art and expect to feel an emotion created buy the artists, although minimalism can give off emotion the idea is that ‘you see what you see’*. Minimalism is linked the conceptual art. This style of art is art in which the idea or concept is more important than the finished product. Some people say that this movement speaks the truth because nothing is made to be something its not , or is anything unordinary. It also can represent order, repetition, simplicity and harmony. 

Influential artists of this movement:

 Donald Judd http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/donald-judd-1378

Sol LeWitt http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/sol-lewitt-1504

Frank Stella http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/frank-stella-1994

                                                    

* Quote taken from artist Frank Stellar, off the Tate website.