DE-LIMITATION THROUGH EXISTENTIAL ABSTRACTION

Abstract

The paper analyses the artistic oeuvre of Sean Scully by applying a framework of experientiality that incorporates the concepts of monumentality, immersion, de-limitation, and empathy. In Scully’s context, monumentality extends beyond mere physical scale, emphasizing perceptual grandeur. It transcends conventional notions of inaccessibility associated with its classical meaning, instead embracing the human element. Immersiveness invites viewers into a dynamic, virtual metaworld of aesthetic encounters, taking leverage of optical engagement to foster affective and intellectual immersion. The concept of de-limitation operates in a multifaceted manner across dimensions and composition, transforming both physical and visual boundaries within his paintings. However, it’s the palpable undercurrent of empathy that truly defines Scully’s art, saturating his work with a warmth and tenderness toward the human condition. Sean Scully’s experiential aesthetics establishes a profound connection between the artwork and its audience, resulting in a resonant emotional and analytical experience.