I’d like you to compare and contrast two nonobjective works of art: Lee Krasner’s Cornucopia and Richard Diebenkorn’s Ocean Park No. 79. The visual form of these two paintings is very different. Therefore, the meaning, message and feeling – the content – of each sculpture is different. It is your job to describe and interpret the content of each painting as you answer the following questions:

Some argue that there is no subject in a nonobjective work of art, but I disagree. The subject may not be as easy to state as “landscape” or “still life”, but I think it can be done, even with nonobjective art. Perhaps we could say the subject was “color” or “color and shape” or “composition with lines”, and so on. What is more important than determining the subject, however, is determining the content of the artwork.

Before you begin your response, read the two lecture sections about Lee Krasner and Richard Diebenkorn that precede this assignment. These sections will help you understand the development of each artist’s work.

1. How does the visual form differ in these two artworks? Are the colors, lines and shapes that each artist has chosen to use different, or the same? Give specific examples from the artworks.

2. What do you think the content is in each of these paintings? These are nonobjective paintings, so you don’t have to look for literal “things” in each piece. You may see suggestions of things, but don’t hurt yourself trying to make what you see into something recognizable. Relax. Your response will be more subjective. Think metaphorically. Remember that “artists often create a kind of visual poetry”. This is particularly true of nonobjective art. What kinds of feelings does each painting suggest to you? What kind of “personality” does each painting seem to have?

Question 2 is the key to your success with this TD assignment. Don’t back off. Just dig in and figure out an interpretation based on what you see in the paintings, and what you have learned about the artists from the lecture. Don’t dodge around by telling me that you don’t know what the content is, or that there are many meanings – none of which you explain – or that there is a hidden message you don’t reveal. Just dig in! You can do this.

3. How does the visual form of each artwork create its content? How do the choices each artist makes in the use of color, shape, line and composition create the feeling of each painting? Name the colors each artist uses and explain effect the colors have on you. Do the same for shape, line and composition.

4. Imagine Krasner and Diebenkorn each working on their paintings. What do you imagine that process would look like? Do you imagine these two paintings were physically painted in the same way?

5. What do the titles suggest to you, in connection with the look of the paintings themselves? The artists chose them, and they must have some connection with the content of the paintings. What does “Ocean Park No. 79” suggest? Have you read the preceding lecture section about Diebenkorn? This will help you understand the meaning of this title, and the content of Diebenkorn’s painting. What does “Cornucopia” mean? Look the word up in the dictionary, even if you think you know what it means. This should help with your understanding of the content of Krasner’s painting (keep thinking metaphorically).

6. Given just these two choices, which painting do you prefer? Does your choice more closely match your own personality? Explain your choice.