What historical shifts led to concrete becoming a medium for abstract expression?
Concrete's journey from a purely functional material to a medium for abstract expression is rooted in 20th-century architectural and artistic revolutions. The rise of Brutalism in the 1950s-70s celebrated raw concrete's textural and sculptural qualities, inspiring artists to explore its expressive potential. Modernist architects like Le Corbusier and Tadao Ando treated concrete as a canvas for geometric abstraction, while sculptors such as Isamu Noguchi used it to create bold, minimalist forms. Post-war material innovations also expanded concrete's versatility, allowing thinner pours and intricate molds. This convergence of design philosophy and technical advancement transformed concrete into a dynamic tool for abstract art, bridging utility and artistic vision.
