This study day was dedicated to the memory of Professor Charles Harrison, Emeritus Professor of the History and Theory of Art at The Open University. On the occasion of two major exhibitions of abstract art, Van Doesburg and the International Avant-Garde: Constructing a New World and Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective, this study day considered some of the broad issues and ideas associated with the concept of 'abstraction'. It examined how abstract art is open to some radically different forms of interpretation, including theories rooted in both idealist and materialist ideas. Speakers referenced the work of van Doesburg and Arshile Gorky but also explored a range of artistic practices from the 1920s to the present day that we now loosely label 'abstract' art. The day included contributions from contemporary artists whose practices include explorations of abstraction in different media. Speakers included Paul Wood, Jason Gaiger, Briony Fer, Amna Malik, Jaime Gili, David Batchelor and Matthew Gale. This event follows on from Abstract Connections, a one-day symposium on Friday 26 March. In collaboration with The Open University.|