Final answer:
The statement provided is FALSE. Abstract art doesn’t replicate forms exactly as viewed but rather uses shapes, colors, and textures to express artistic ideas. It includes movements like Cubism and Minimalism which deconstruct or reduce forms for expressive purposes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'Abstract art, in our textbook, is defined in the sense that the artist changes little of the subject and reproduces the form or object exactly as it is viewed' is FALSE. Abstract art is characterized by the transformation of visible reality into simplified or rearranged forms. Rather than replicating objects precisely, abstract art emphasizes elements such as color, shape, and texture to convey various themes and emotions.
Abstract art is more about conveying the artist's interpretation of the world rather than accurate depiction. As indicated in the provided information, it involves vivid colors, geometric forms, and sometimes a reductive approach as seen in Minimalism, with artists like Donald Judd using spare geometric forms to create unified wholes. The approach is distinct from representational art which seeks to mimic real-world visuals closely.
For instance, Cubist artwork, such as Georges Braque's 'The Portuguese', deconstructs and reassembles a subject from multiple viewpoints, which is a hallmark of abstract art. Furthermore, contemporary abstract artists might convey a multitude of expressions, feelings of identity, and political events through their artworks.