From Expressionism to Modern, German & Abstract

1. Expressionism is the tendency of an artist to distort reality for an emotional effect; it is a subjective art form. Expressionism is exhibited in many art forms, including painting, literature, film, architecture and music.
2. Modern Expressionism is a post-expressionistic artistic style in which the artist creates his or her artwork by merging images and/or objects with emotions. This is accomplished through the use of both literal and abstract emphasis on color, texture, obscured subject matter, distortion, unnatural depth, exaggeration and modified surrounding imagery.
3. German Expressionism, also referred to as Expressionism in filmmaking, developed in Germany (especially Berlin) during the 1920s. During the period of recovery following World War I, the German film industry was booming, but because of the hard economic times filmmakers found it difficult to create movies that could compare with the lush, extravagant features coming from Hollywood. The filmmakers of the German UFA studio developed their own style, by using symbolism and mise en scène to insert mood and deeper meaning into a movie.
4. Abstract expressionism was an American post-World War II art movement. It was the first specifically American movement to achieve worldwide influence and also the one that put New York City at the center of the art world, a role formerly filled by Paris. The term "Abstract expressionism" was first applied to American art in 1946 by the critic Robert Coates.