How does one differentiate between the two?

In principle, they both refer to "less is more" and more-or-less the same, but I can't clearly distinguish the two. One would classify either one in their portfolio. I asked some of them, and their reply came back quoting, "they're the same."

I haven't seen any literature that really clarrifies them. There are abstract art, abstract photography and minimalist photography, each on its own. So, are they the same?

Originally Posted by oddstuff How does one differentiate between the two? In principle, they both refer to "less is more" and more-or-less the same, but I can't clearly distinguish the two. One would classify either one in their portfolio. I asked some of them, and their reply came back quoting, "they're the same." I haven't seen any literature that really clarrifies them. There are abstract art, abstract photography and minimalist photography, each on its own. So, are they the same?

OK,i realize I am reaching here, but hey its 3:30 am. But who says Abstract has to be minimalist, By its very defintion Abstract could be cluttered.
Abstract of what? it would seem to me that to be abstract you need something to bounce off of, as sort of opposite of a ying to yang thing, while minimalist would be bare. without clutter


but then again I am typing at 3:30 in the morning

chris

Abstract does not have to be minimalism. It could be minimalistic but could also be very cluttered. Think Jackson Pollack

Dictionary Reference
Fine Arts. <TABLE class=luna-Ent minmax_bound="true"><TBODY minmax_bound="true"><TR minmax_bound="true"><TD class=dn vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">a.</TD><TD vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">of or pertaining to the formal aspect of art, emphasizing lines, colors, generalized or geometrical forms, etc., esp. with reference to their relationship to one another. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=luna-Ent minmax_bound="true"><TBODY minmax_bound="true"><TR minmax_bound="true"><TD class=dn vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">b.</TD><TD vAlign=top minmax_bound="true">(often initial capital letter) pertaining to the nonrepresentational art styles of the 20th century. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Some abstract photography
http://www.abstractphotography.com/

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/d...2.asp?catID=19

http://www.artabstractphotography.com/

http://abstractsouthwest.com/color/abs_index.htm