Final answer:
Norman Lewis's 'Every Atom Glows' aligns with Abstract Expressionism and is metaphorically connected to the scientific understanding of atomic spectra and electron transitions, similar to the science behind neon lights and reflective of the abstract visualization in both art and science.
Step-by-step explanation:
The work "Every Atom Glows: Electrons in Luminous Vibration" by Norman Lewis can be discussed in relation to Abstract Expressionism.
This artistic movement is characterized by a focus on conveying emotion through non-representational forms. Lewis's title implies a connection to the phenomenon where electrons emit light when they transition between energy levels, a concept that finds its roots in the scientific foundation laid by Niels Bohr's atomic model.
Bohr theorized that electrons orbit the nucleus in discrete energy levels and produce atomic spectra when moving between these levels, rejecting the idea of classical electromagnetism where a constantly emitting electron would ultimately collapse into the nucleus.
Lewis's work abstractly captures the vibrancy of these quantum leaps in the context of luminance and color, much like how neon lights operate, which are tubes that become luminous due to the excitation and relaxation of electrons within gas atoms.
Not only does this scientific phenomenon offer a metaphor for the abstract painter's practice of capturing the unseen energies and dynamism of life, but it also nods to the Luminist painters who aimed to encapsulate light through a contemplative approach to their landscapes.
The abstraction in both art and science shares a common thread—the attempt to visualize or understand elements of reality that are not immediately apparent to the eye, thus allowing for a contemplative experience that reflects an inner consciousness or the underlying nature of reality.
Q: Elaborate on Norman Lewis's work, 'Every Atom Glows: Electrons in Luminous Vibration,' and its association with [Abstraction/Abstract Expressionism].