Expressionism

Expressionism and Croce's Views

Expressionism is a type of romantic art where emotions are shown through intense distortion and exaggeration, often to an extreme level. This style often appears during times of deep spiritual or social stress. In literature, expressionism can involve a deliberate distortion of reality. This movement began in German drama in 1912 and was seen in the works of playwrights like Reinhard Sorge, George Kaiser, and Walter Hasenclever.

Today’s literature is filled with diverse styles, making it challenging to judge or categorize works clearly. As a result, the desire for newness can sometimes lead to confusion, with writers potentially valuing novelty over quality. Some writers, especially expressionists, may adopt a "take it or leave it" attitude towards their work.

Scott-James and Croce’s Perspectives: The essay explores the critical views of R.A. Scott-James on expressionism and delves into the philosophical ideas of Benedetto Croce, whose theories provided a significant foundation for expressionist artists, emphasizing the internal and intuitive nature of artistic creation.

Benedetto Croce's Views on Expressionism:

Croce’s philosophy resonated with expressionist artists. He believed:

1. There are two types of reality: one in the mind and one outside of it.

2. Knowledge can be intuitive or logical. Intuitive knowledge comes from imagination, while logical knowledge deals with individual things.

3. For Croce, art is intuition, or the expression of impressions within the mind. When these impressions are shaped by imagination, they become complete expressions.

4. Every impression has the potential to become art. If an artist can clearly see it, they should express it clearly. However, this expression is purely a mental process, making it difficult for critics to judge since the true art remains in the artist’s mind.

5. Once an artist externalizes their expression, it no longer belongs to the realm of true art.

6. According to Croce, the aesthetic process happens entirely in the mind of the artist. The physical creation (like painting or writing) is just an addition and doesn’t qualify as true art.

7. Words, colors, and other tools are just aids to help the artist's intuition. The value of these external forms lies in preserving the artist's mental expression.

8. Since art is based on individual intuitions, it cannot be repeated or universally shared.

For Croce, art is a form of self-expression. It is the artist’s ability to see, create, and express that brings joy. However, Croce believed that true art exists only in the mind of the artist before they begin their work. The physical work, such as a painting or poem, is just a stimulant for the audience to recapture the artist’s mental state.

Critique of Croce's Expressionism:

Croce's view has some contradictions. If art exists only in the artist's mind, how can critics evaluate it? This leads to the problem that any bizarre or ugly creation could be justified as "faithful expression," leaving little room for meaningful criticism.

Croce seems to overlook the importance of communication in art. An artist's primary duty is to share their sense of beauty with the world. Croce's approach disregards the necessity of this communication and the relationship between the artist and the audience. Without an external form, art loses its ability to convey meaning or beauty to others.

Conclusion:

According to Croce's expressionism:

1. External objects create fleeting impressions in the artist's mind.

2. The artist’s mind processes these impressions internally.

3. The artist should not give these impressions any outward expression.

4. Once the artist tries to externalize these impressions, they move out of their role as an artist.

However, Croce’s theory is flawed because it ignores the role of life and beauty in art. Art should start from real-life experiences and express these in a way that communicates with others. By focusing solely on the mental process, Croce’s expressionism misses the true purpose of art—to convey the beauty and meaning of life.

The essay draws attention to the importance of balancing the internal creative process with external expression. Art must engage with life and communicate beauty and meaning, ensuring that it remains a powerful and transformative force rather than an isolated mental exercise.

 Croce's expressionism, while influential, must be reconsidered to ensure that art retains its essential connection to reality, beauty, and communication, making it both meaningful and accessible.