Test on Barnett Newman: Subject, Zip, and Scale
Barnett Newman: Subject, Zip, and Scale Explained for Students
Test: Abstract Painting
20 questions
Question 1: Newman intentionally decided to paint stripes as a central element for his 'Onement' painting prior to its creation.
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The speaker explicitly states, "I did not decide either in 48 or in 47 or 46 or whatever it was to say to myself I'm going to paint stripes I did not take an arbitrary abstract decision." Instead, he thought of them as 'streaks of light' when he painted 'Onement'.
Question 2: The artist believes his 'zip' unites the painting and creates a totality.
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The artist explicitly states, 'I feel that my zip does not divide my painting I feel it does the exact opposite it does not cut the format in half or in whatever parts that it unites the thing it creates a totality.'
Question 3: According to Professor Ma Shapiro's distinction, a painting that lacks discernible objects, such as a purely abstract work, necessarily lacks a subject.
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The study materials state that Professor Ma Shapiro's distinction between 'object matter' and 'subject' helps people understand that 'even though let's say my painting as it developed did not have any of those objects that it did not necessarily mean therefore that there was no subject there.' This indicates that a painting without objects can still possess a subject.
Question 4: The artist initially thought of the 'zip' in 'Onement' as streaks of light.
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The artist states, "I suppose I thought of them as streaks of light when I painted this painting pain which I called onement."
Question 5: The speaker suggests that abstract painting, like meeting a person, requires examining details to achieve an immediate and total reaction.
A. Ano
B. Ne
Explanation: The speaker states that when you see a person, you have an immediate impact and a total reaction without having to look at details. If you start examining details like eyelashes, it becomes a cosmetic situation that removes you from the experience.