abstraktimpaan

Abstraktimpaan is a term used in contemporary art and theory to describe a mode of expression that aims to convey subjective dream-like experiences through abstract, non-representational form. The word is a portmanteau created in Indonesian-language discourse, combining abstrakt (abstract) with a neologistic element derived from impian (dream) to evoke the sense of dreaming as a process rather than a stable image.

Origin and scope: Coined in the early 2020s by critics and artists exploring the boundary between abstraction and dream phenomenology, abstraktimpaan is used to categorize works that prioritize inner experience, memory, and emotion over literal depiction. The concept encompasses painting, digital media, sound, and immersive installations.

Concept and characteristics: Works described as abstraktimpaan emphasize discontinuity, ambiguity, and fluid transition between states of perception. Forms often shift with time or viewer interaction, resisting fixed interpretation. Techniques may include layered color fields, generative or algorithmic processes, glitch effects, and multisensory design that invites contemplation rather than narration.

Reception: In critical discourse, abstraktimpaan is discussed as a bridge between abstract art and phenomenology of dreams. Some scholars praise its emphasis on subjective consciousness, while others warn that the term can be overly broad or ambiguous, risking dilution of concrete stylistic analyses.

See also: Abstract art; Dream; Generative art; Immersive installation; Phenomenology.