Since photography now uses new technology, it may not represent reality. How does this affect theories about the need for abstract art?

Answer 1

I, for one, believe in the expressive theory of art. Art does not necessarily always mimic reality. The expressive theory of art says that art should be an expression of the artist. Abstract art often is the study of shapes, color, surface, and so on working together in a new way. However, art is not black or white. There are varying levels of abstract to realism.

Jackson Pollock's work is a lot more abstract than that of Picasso. Picasso's work in Cubism is much more abstract than the Pop Art styles of Andy Warhol. Andy Warhol, however, abstractly represents the world. When it comes to using Adobe Photoshop to create the artists' work, they can turn a picture into anything. The artist can seamlessly add or take out what they do not want. They can create their reality. When it comes to using Adobe Lightroom for photographs, the colors can become more similar to reality than photographs in the past.

So, yes. Working in a digital format can create an abstract piece, but it can also help us create art that is more real than photography in the past. These systems we use are not forcing people to create abstract art, nor is it forcing the artist to create realistic art. That decision still belongs to the artist. Photography, even with digital art, still works with the expressive theory that artists will create in the way they see the world.