Europe Invades Manhattan

Abstract Expressionists ~ the New York School ~ the abstract opposites or the abstract extremes. They would gather at the Cedar's Tavern in Greenwich Village ~ expound theories, drink, and debate philosophies. Jackson Pollock ~ center in photo and center of the storm that was the New York School. a cowboy from the American West wielding a big chip on his shoulders ~ wanted to show-up the more intellectual European artists. His legendary self destructive behavior, passionate painting style, and early violent end to his life ~ much like van Gogh before him and Basquiat after ~ cemented his status in art history. that, along with the many European artists escaping the World Wars, were able to wrestle the art world away from Picasso and Paris.

Pollock (American) an ecstatic dance of flung paint onto a canvas on the floor

deKooning (European) spontaneous and chaotic

Kline (American) gestural and aggressive

Newman (American) removed almost everything

Rothko (European) meditative hovering color shapes