Hilma af Klint & Piet Mondrian: Forms of Life

Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian were landscape painters who believed in the interconnectedness of science and mysticism. They used science and esoteric thought to explore the underlying structures of nature and how they gave meaning to art and life. This publication will showcase their works and enhance our understanding of their groundbreaking artistry.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 20 April 2023
Publisher: Tate Publishing

Although they never met, Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian shared a deep dynamic connection to the natural world and began their careers as landscape painters. For them, science and mysticism were not exclusive practices, but part of the same essential framework for understanding the life forces around them. Both artists engaged with science and esoteric thought as tools for exploring the underlying structures of nature and how they give meaning to art and life. Natural forms are abstracted to their atomic levels; cells evolve, dividing and expanding the canvas in color; sinuous stems spiral into the ether, while the crystalline formations of grids stretch out to form an infinite universe. Including works never before seen in the UK, this publication will elucidate and invigorate our understanding of two groundbreaking artists and will be sure to get synapses firing.

Introduction:
Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian, two pioneering artists of the early 20th century, shared a profound connection to the natural world and embarked on their artistic journeys as landscape painters. Despite never meeting, their artistic practices were intertwined with a deep understanding of science and mysticism, forming a unique framework for comprehending the essence of life. In this essay, we will explore the profound influence of science and mysticism on their artistic visions and how they used these tools to create groundbreaking works that have left an indelible mark on the art world.

Science and Mysticism as Tools for Understanding Nature:
Both Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian recognized the inherent interconnectedness of science and mysticism in understanding the natural world. They believed that by exploring the underlying structures of nature, they could gain a deeper insight into the forces that govern life and the universe. This understanding informed their artistic practices, allowing them to abstract natural forms to their atomic levels, capturing the essence of their molecular structures.

Cellular Evolution and Expansion:
One of the central themes in Hilma af Klint's work was the study of cellular evolution and expansion. She believed that cells were the building blocks of life and that they could be seen as the canvas on which the universe was painted. In her paintings, she depicted cells evolving, dividing, and expanding, creating intricate patterns that seemed to breathe and pulsate with life. Mondrian, on the other hand, used grids as a motif in his paintings, representing the infinite universe and the underlying structure of reality. The grids were composed of intersecting lines and planes, creating a sense of order and balance that echoed the mathematical principles of science.

Abstracting Natural Forms:
Both Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian approached their paintings with a sense of abstraction, removing the recognizable elements of nature and focusing on the underlying patterns and structures. They sought to capture the essence of natural forms by abstracting them to their atomic levels, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things. This approach allowed them to create works that were both visually stunning and spiritually profound, conveying a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Synapses Firing:
Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian's artistic visions have the power to ignite the synapses of viewers and provoke a deeper understanding of the world around us. Their works challenge our preconceived notions of art and nature, encouraging us to see the world through a new lens. By exploring the underlying structures of nature and the interconnectedness of all things, they invite us to contemplate the deeper meaning of life and the universe.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Hilma af Klint and Piet Mondrian were two pioneering artists who shared a deep connection to the natural world and used science and mysticism as tools for understanding the underlying structures of nature. Through their abstracted representations of natural forms and their exploration of cellular evolution and the infinite universe, they created groundbreaking works that have left an indelible mark on the art world. Their artistic visions have the power to ignite the synapses of viewers and provoke a deeper understanding of the world around us, reminding us of the profound beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Weight: 1614g
Dimension: 298 x 247 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781849768443