Until 1913, the world of art was limited to objectivity and realistic representations. Some critics say that art reached the deepest point of its downfall during this year. However, in 1913, a new art movement, Suprematism, laid a foundation for the liberation of art, leading to the development of modern art. One of the founders of Suprematism was Kazimir Malevich, who manifested his ideas about a non-objective artistic approach in the famous work Black Square.
Malevich was born in February 1879 in Kyiv, Ukraine, and passed away in May 1935. Throughout his life, Malevich had a deep passion for art and studied it academically. He was an infamous Russian artist and a pioneer of non-representational art. Malevich was also influenced by Cubism and Futurism, which could be noticed by analyzing his artistic practice. One of Malevich’s most significant achievements was the foundation of the Suprematism art movement in 1913 and the creation of his pivotal artwork, Black Square, in 1915.
The aim of the author was to introduce an alternative perspective in the world of art. Malevich described the alternative as a different approach to depicting artistic feelings in a pure and unrestricted manner. He wanted to establish a turning point in the progression of art by showing people the example of creative and spiritual freedom in his work. Malevich desired to redirect the artistic movement rooted in the ideals of the Renaissance towards a more original and pure philosophy of art.
Malevich’s Black Square had a profound impact on global art. After its introduction, the focus of artists began to change from the realistic representation of the natural world to an abstract but still meaningful depiction of ideas. Experts suggest that the square laid the foundation for modern art by providing a theoretical and ideological framework for freedom of expression (Spira, 2022). Significant amounts of artists were inspired by the ideas propelled by Black Square, including non-objectivity and freedom of artistic representation (Spira, 2022). Even though the essential foundation of the square, Suprematism, did not last long, it is still considered one of the most radical influencers of abstract art in history (Spira, 2022). Through his work, Malevich showed the world the meaningfulness of abstract and non-objective representation in art, proving that he achieved his goals.
Black Square can be considered a valuable piece of art according to three aesthetic principles. First, it is valuable since it is meaningful and suggests truths about the world. The entire idea of the black square teaches that the world can be represented in simple abstract forms, which can be more deep and profound than realistic images. It is true since there are areas in the experience of life, like happiness and love, that can not be adequately described by objective means. Second, Black Square has proved to have the capacity to bring significant social changes in the sphere of art. The abstract image inspired many artists by propelling their curiosity and giving them an ideal for the freedom of representation. The masterpiece also has the ability to influence other individuals in the same manner since its idea of the importance of abstraction can be implemented in various areas of life. Finally, Black Square has the capacity to provide special non-emotional experiences to the observers. Its square form, dark colors, and intriguing marks create a feeling of mystery and freedom in those who examine the infamous black square.
References
Spira, A. (2022). Foreshadowed: Malevich’s “Black Square” and its precursors. Reaktion Books.