To many people, coming up with a definition for contemporary art can be a tricky task to take on. Besides, how would one define contemporary art in the first place? Well, contemporary art is often defined as art that has been and continues to be created throughout our lifetime. But if this was the case, you would agree that no other artistic definition is as confusing and, at the same time, straightforward as that of Contemporary art.
Well, this is because the term demands respect from the beginning, and its initial word, contemporary, almost implies that you must be familiar with what it is without having to ask. Well, not everyone knows what the true definition of contemporary art is. Luckily, this article will discuss what contemporary art means and whether or not it’s a good label for art. Keep reading as we dive in.
What is Contemporary Art?
Artist John Cottrell– Contemporary art is a term often used to describe art pieces – like painting, photography, sculpture, video art, and performance- that were created in the present time. Although this might seem simple, the details surrounding the definition of contemporary art can be a bit fuzzy, as so many individuals’ interpretation of the term ‘present-day’ varies greatly.
Presently, the exact starting point of the genre is still being debated; however, several art historians consider the late 1960s or early 1970s as a mark for the end of modern art to be a perfect estimate.
Major Contemporary Art Movements and Artists
Most people see contemporary art as just the “art of today” well, you may be surprised to hear that contemporary art has a relatively long history. To trace it all started; let’s look at some of the significant movements and important artists that made history.
- Photorealism
Photorealism is a movement aimed at creating hyperrealistic drawings and paintings. Usually, most photorealists work from photographs, enabling them to reproduce landscapes, portraits, and iconography correctly. Artists such as Chuck Close and Gerhard Richter often use this style.
- Pop Art
Contemporary art is said to have started on the heels of Pop Art. After the World War in Britain and America, Pop Art was pioneered by artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. It is described by an interest in conveying large culture and reimagining commercial products as art that you can easily access. Although the pop art movement lasted from the 1950s through the early 1970s, it was brought back to life by an artist such as Jeff Koons as Neo-Pop Art in the 1980s.
- Conceptualism
Pop Art helped shape conceptualism, which initially rejected the idea of art being a commodity. In conceptual art, every idea behind a work of art is important. Some major conceptual artists include Ai Wei Wei, Jenny Holzer, and Damien Hurst. Though the conceptual art movement was an experiment rooted in the art of the early 21st century, it was however developed again in 1960. It remained a key contemporary art movement in the present day.
- Performance Art
Performance art is a movement developed from Conceptual art. It started in the 1960s and still maintains its popularity today. Performance art is a drama-inspired approach to art, and although the art form is acted by various artists, as the name suggests, it is not entirely aimed at just entertainment. Instead, another primary goal is to convey a message or idea. Some important performance artists include Marina Abramovic, Joseph Beuys, and Yoko Ono.
- Street Art
Street art is one of the most recent contemporary art movements that gained popularity in the 1980s with the rise of graffiti. Street art is often rooted in social activism, including installation, stencilled images, murals, and stickers built in public spaces. Some prominent street artists include people from the 1980s, such as Shepard Fairey and Banksy.
- Installation Art
Installation is a submerged medium of art, just like performance pieces. It is a three-dimensional construction that changes its surroundings and alters people’s perception of space. Usually, they are large-scale and specific sites that enable artists to change any space into a customized and interactive environment. Prominent installation Artists include Bruce Munro, Dale Chihuly, and Yayoi Kusama.
- Minimalism
Minimalism materialized in 1960, and it’s still prevalent up to date. Just like conceptualism, minimalism challenges the existing structures for making, disseminating, and viewing art. However, what makes it different is that its simple, abstract beauty invites viewers to respond to what they see and not what they assume the work of art represents. Prominent minimalist includes Sol LeWitt, Donald Judd, and Dan Flavin.
Is Contemporary a Useful Label for Art?
The term “contemporary” is intended to distinguish present-day art from art created in the past. Also, it is often used to group and organize artworks in art galleries, museums, and other venues. However, despite being used globally, the term “contemporary” can be problematic for several reasons.
Firstly, the term “contemporary” is often used broadly, making it difficult to define precisely what it entails. For example, some people might see contemporary art to be any art created after World War II, while on the other hand, others might use the term to describe art that is being created present day. This lack of a clear and accurate definition makes it difficult to categorize and evaluate artworks properly.
Artist Simon Collins – Additionally, the word “contemporary” may not be useful for some sets of art forms or movements that are not represented correctly in the typical contemporary art world. This is because the term is usually linked with a specific set of styles, trends, and themes that are famous in the art world today. As a result, most art that falls outside these trends may not be seen as “contemporary” even if it is being created in the current time.
Lastly, using the term “contemporary” may also suggest that contemporary art is disconnected from primitive art and culture, which is not always the case. Many contemporary artists are greatly influenced by the art and culture of the past and continue to get their inspiration from it. Thus, the term “contemporary” may not reflect the broad relationship between contemporary art and the past.
Conclusion
The term “contemporary” can be a helpful label for art in that it helps people differentiate present-day art from art created in the past; however, it can also have its limitations. Not only is it often used broadly and may not be useful for specific art forms or movements, but the term contemporary may also suggest that contemporary art is not linked to past art and culture, which is not always the case. Therefore, when evaluating or perhaps discussing art, it is important to consider the limitations of the term “contemporary.”