What historical abstract movements rejected cedar due to its cultural associations?
Throughout art history, certain abstract movements deliberately avoided using cedar in their works due to its strong cultural and symbolic associations. Cedar, often linked to spirituality, permanence, and tradition in various cultures, clashed with the avant-garde principles of movements like De Stijl and Bauhaus, which sought to break from historical narratives. Modernist artists favored neutral or industrial materials to emphasize universality and progress, distancing themselves from cedar's perceived archaic connotations. This rejection highlights how material choices in abstract art were deeply influenced by cultural contexts, shaping the movement's visual and ideological identity. Understanding this dynamic offers insight into the intersection of art, materiality, and cultural meaning.
