ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Artpress Dossier Questions 'New Abstraction' Trend in 1986

publication · 2026-04-24

A 1986 dossier in Artpress titled 'Il n'y a pas de nouvelle abstraction : Tableaux abstraits' challenges the notion of a cyclical return to abstraction in the 1980s. The article critiques the idea that after the figurative and expressionist explosion of the early 1980s, abstraction—particularly geometric abstraction—was making a comeback. The dossier likely includes multiple perspectives or artworks questioning the validity of labeling this resurgence as 'new.' The publication date is September 1986.

Key facts

  • Dossier published in Artpress in September 1986
  • Title: 'Il n'y a pas de nouvelle abstraction : Tableaux abstraits'
  • Critiques the pendulum theory of fashion in art
  • References the figurative and expressionist explosion of early 1980s
  • Suggests a return to abstraction, especially geometric abstraction
  • Questions the novelty of this abstraction trend
  • Published in French art magazine Artpress
  • No specific artists or artworks named in the provided snippet

Entities

Institutions

  • Artpress

Locations

  • France

Sources