Abstract
In the context of the mid-20th-century culture, Number 5, 1948 is one of the most wonderful phenomena. It is often considered to be the culmination of Jackson Pollock’s oeuvre. The present paper examines two aspects that made the painting a valuable abstract expressionist pattern and inspired the next generations: social impact and scientific importance. In this regard, mass media and academic sources were used in order to identify the key characteristics of the epoch and the scientific approach of present-day researchers. It is argued that the painting is closely related to the historical context and the public mood in the USA after World War II. It is proven that the rapidly changing world became the main reason for the shift from the traditional art forms to the abstract ones. The four-layers model and fractal dimension are described in reference to the scientific point of view.
Introduction
Number 5, 1948, is one of the most expensive paintings ever sold (Number 5, 1948, n.d.). The artist, Jackson Pollock, is well-known for his abstract expressionist works that have made a significant contribution not only to the American culture but also to the world’s cultural heritage. Although this artwork appeared in the context of the mid-20th century, it continues to excite the imagination of the present-day generation. One can state that innovative styles spark people’s interest by virtue of their nature since they evoke the most abstruse and disguised feelings, and Number 5, 1948, is an ideal example.
This paper concentrates on the value of Number 5, 1948, in terms of its social and scientific impact. The peculiarities discovered in different epochs are explored. Finally, the conclusion concerning modern views is reached.
Social Context
A naïve viewer probably wonders what the essence of “a rectangle of paper covered with skeins of enamel paint” is (Seed, 2014, para. 2). However, one should consider it only in connection with the historical and cultural community spirit. By 1948, the whole world had overcome a disaster in the form of the Second World War. A good litmus test of the public mood, Abstract Expressionism, the style with no recognizable objects and accidentally, subconsciously created patterns, achieved worldwide acclaim (20th-century art, n.d.). It was the first time when the U.S. movement exerted the influence on art all over the globe. In contrast to the old order and Europe as the basis of that world, Abstract Expressionism spotlit New York as the center of the new universe. It is peculiar that the name of the movement was first used in relation to the German Expressionism that started before the First World War and came to its climax in the 1920s (O’Hara, 2015). American Abstract Expressionism was characterized as anarchic, rebellious, and even nihilistic movement, and these properties are relevant to Pollock’s works, including Number 5, 1948 (Number 5, 1948, n.d.).
This artwork is the quintessence of the post-war age when the American model of behavior, lifestyle, and thinking has become prevalent. In the context of America’s political and military triumph, the society was affected by the idea of rapid progress. The development of mass media was “a demanding force,” and the myth of a heroic individual creator rooted in the American set of values expanded at an unprecedented pace (O’Hara, 2015, p. 20). In other words, it was the century that encouraged people to move forward promptly.
Pollock’s striking acumen let him recognize the social tendencies and vividly convey his ideas through his paintings. Having begun his artist career under the supervision of Tomas Hart Benton, the Regionalist painter, Pollock concentrated on this style in the 1930s; later on, he was fascinated with the surrealistic styles and gradually came to his abstract manner (O’Hara, 2015). The most remarkable fact is that the switch from concrete (Regionalism usually depicted the rural environment in a traditionalist way) to abstract was caused by the epoch mobility. Besides, Pollock’s abstract works embody the trend emerging in those times: ideas are more valuable than skills because progress in any sphere begins with ideas (Seed, 2014). Although it is sometimes believed that Number 5, 1948 depicts a dense bird’s nest, there is hardly enough proof of it.
Pollock not only challenged the traditional concept of a masterpiece but also introduced a new technique and replaced the brushstroke with the drip. Similar to other post-1947 paintings, the artist combined the pour technique and action painting. The term “action painting” is often used in relation to Pollock’s works (O’Hara, 2015). The desire to develop a new technique stemmed from the feeling that it was necessary to find a proper instrument to respond to the challenges of the time. The artist was aware that it was important to express feelings, not illustrate them, and it agrees with the spirit of the time and life acceleration. Indeed, Number 5, 1948 addresses the quickness that is, on the one hand, relevant to the processes within the mid-20th century and refers to the way a human mind works in these new circumstances.
Overall, the social impact of the painting is that it brilliantly reflects the core elements distinguishing the epoch from other times.
Scientific Context
Another aspect connected with the painting is its scientific impact. At first sight, it may seem strange that artworks are studied at this level. However, art, especially abstract movements, can be successfully analyzed from this point of view and contribute to the human knowledge. For instance, one can understand how a certain effect is produced and use it practically in advertising, design, and so on. In this respect, computer studies and painting become a perfect combination, and the example of Number 5, 1948 proves it.
One of the studies conducted by Zheng, Nie, Meng, Feng, and Zhang (2014) suggests the four-layers model in which an image is composed of the background layer, irregular shape layer, line layer, and water drop layer. The fractal-based method is used to analyze how a painting is organized technically. According to the research results, drips constitute independent, randomly put layers. The sole-colored background should cover the whole field smoothly in order to create the fundament. Further, irregular shapes “assumed to be generated by moving the brush on the canvas” are added (Zheng et al., 2014, p. 592). They create a specific effect pertaining to people’s visual perception: a painting becomes expressive. Later on, the lines are supplemented. They are intended to shape the whole painting. Pollock was reportedly creating such lines by dragging a stick on the canvas or dropping paints directly on it (Zheng et al., 2014, p. 592). Finally, it is estimated that paint drops are the unique characteristic of the artist’s works. Randomly generated, they integrate all layers and make the painting a completed structure. Although the artist’s talent cannot be reproduced by a machine, the algorithm suggested by the researchers is nevertheless useful because it is significant to understand the effects of different techniques on a viewer.
One more remarkable discovery connected with Pollock’s paintings and science refers to Hausdorff-Besicovitch fractal dimension (de la Calleja, Cervantes, & de la Calleja, 2016). The researchers point out that factuality is a widespread phenomenon in nature and attempt to specify the key characteristics of Pollock’s works. “Created by dripping, pouring, splashing or peeling layers of paint of different colors on canvas placed on the floor,” his paintings may be analyzed from this perspective, and it is not a mere coincidence: the artist reportedly had control of the splattering or dripping over the paints (de la Calleja, Cervantes, & de la Calleja, 2016, p. 2).
Since the paintings are notable for their complex structure and numerous elements, one may guesstimate that there is a kind of order. Indeed, according to the research results, the degree of order in Pollock’s works increases as a function of the year when they were created (de la Calleja, Cervantes, & de la Calleja, 2016). These results indicate that the artist executed his paintings consciously. Apart from the admiration for the artist and his talent, one can make use of this information: fractal dimensions serve as one of the tools to authenticate paintings.
Conclusion
To conclude, Number 5, 1948 is a masterpiece of the 20th century. The artist managed to translate the spirit of the time and simultaneously invented a new technique. It is not surprising that such a great work is highly valued nowadays.
References
20th century art, music, and literature. (n.d.). Web.
De la Calleja, E. M., Cervantes, F., & de la Calleja, J. (2016). Order-fractal transitions in abstract paintings. Annals of Physics, 371, 313-322.
Number 5, 1948 by Jackson Pollock. (n.d.). Web.
O’Hara, F. (2015). Jackson Pollock. New York, NY: Pickle Partners Publishing.
Seed, J. (2014). What makes a Jackson Pollock painting worth millions? The Huffington Post. Web.
Zheng, Y., Nie, X., Meng, Z., Feng, W., & Zhang, K. (2014). Layered modeling and generation of Pollock’s drip style. The Visual Computer, 31(5), 589-600.