The Harmony of the Impressionist Art Movement and Absurdist Philosophy:
The Importance of Learning to Live in the Moment:
The Impressionist Art Movement, emerging in the late 19th century, sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and colour, emphasising the artist’s perception of the moment. This movement is characterised by its break from traditional, detailed realism, favouring more spontaneous, sensory impressions of scenes. Philosophically, Impressionism aligns with several key ideas:
1. Empiricism and Sensory Experience:
Impressionism places great importance on the sensory experience. The artists aimed to depict what they saw, often painting “en plein air”(outdoors) to capture natural light and atmosphere. This empirical approach underscores the belief that reality is best understood through direct perception rather than intellectual abstraction.
2. Impermanence and the Moment:
The focus on capturing transient moments, such as the play of sunlight on water or the changing colours of a sunset, reflects a philosophical recognition of reality's impermanence and constant flux. This can be seen as a form of aesthetic immediacy, where the beauty of the present moment is elevated above enduring, static representations.
3. Subjectivity and Individual Perception:
Impressionist works emphasise personal interpretation and the subjective nature of vision. Different artists uniquely portrayed the same scene, highlighting that reality is perceived individually and cannot be universally fixed.
Reconciling Impressionism with Absurdist philosophy, which emphasises the lack of inherent meaning in life and suggests finding joy in the act of living itself, reveals a harmonious interplay between these ideas:
1. Embrace of the Present Moment:
Both Impressionism and Absurdism emphasise the value of the present. Impressionists captured the fleeting beauty of the present moment in their art, while Absurdist philosophy encourages living fully in the present without searching for more profound, inherent meanings. This shared focus on the "now" underscores a celebration of life as it is experienced.
2. Joy in Perception and Creation:
For Impressionists, the act of painting—the immediate, joyful engagement with the world through colour and light—is an end in itself. Similarly, Absurdism suggests that individuals find joy and meaning through their actions and experiences rather than through any supposed higher purpose. Both philosophies advocate for a direct, engaged approach to life, finding value in the act of experiencing and creating.
3. Rejection of Traditional Constraints:
Impressionism broke away from the rigid rules of academic painting, just as Absurdism rejects traditional narratives and structures that claim to offer ultimate truths or meanings. This parallel rejection of established norms reflects a shared belief in individual freedom and authenticity.
In summary, Impressionism's philosophical underpinnings, with its focus on sensory experience, the transient moment, and subjective perception, dovetail neatly with Absurdist philosophy's emphasis on living in the present and finding joy in the act of existence. Both celebrate the immediate, the personal, and the fleeting aspects of life, advocating for a direct, engaged, and joyful approach to the world.