Modern Art Vs. Contemporary Art - What's The Difference?
The terms "modern art" and "contemporary art" are sometimes used interchangeably, but they actually relate to two different eras in the development of the visual arts. There are notable distinctions between the two, despite the fact that they share a commitment to unique ideas and experimentation.
Art developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries is known as modern art, whereas art created in the present day is known as contemporary art.
This article will compare and contrast modern art with contemporary art, looking at how each style represents the social and cultural climate of its time.
What is the difference between modern art and contemporary art?
The historical settings in which works of art were created are the primary determinant of whether they are considered modern or contemporary. Impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism are all examples of modern art that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
There was a strong emphasis on risk-taking and new approaches to art during these periods. Art created in the present day, or "contemporary art," encompasses many different aesthetic practices.
The social and political climates of the period are typically reflected in works of contemporary art, and new forms of media and technology are frequently included in these creations. The collecting and exhibiting practices are another key distinction between modern and contemporary art.
Contemporary art and modern art both reflect the values and viewpoints of the time in which they were made, but they come from different historical and cultural backgrounds.
Art Deco Movement, Style & Characteristics
How exactly is contemporary art different from modern art?
Historical Context
The effects of industrialization, World War I, and the emergence of consumer society all had an effect on modern art. In contrast, contemporary artwork often addresses pressing social, political, and cultural themes of our time.
Diverse Points of View
Many of the most well-known works of modern art were produced by a relatively small number of European and North American male artists. Artists from all over the world and many different cultural traditions are represented in today's contemporary art, giving it a more diverse spectrum of voices and ideas.
As a result, people are paying more attention to questions of diversity, inclusion, and diversity in representation in art.
Mediums and Techniques
Painting and sculpture were central to modern art, whereas video, installation, performance, and digital media are just a few of the many mediums and approaches that make up today's contemporary art.
Found artifacts, recycled materials, and experimental printing methods are just a few examples of how contemporary artists are breaking the mold.
Exhibitions and Collections
Museums and art galleries frequently display and collect examples of modern art because of its historical significance. In contrast, modern and contemporary artworks are frequently bought and sold on the art market and displayed in both private collections and commercial galleries.
As a result, curators, dealers, and collectors now play a more active role in determining the future of the art world and place a higher value on the commercial potential of contemporary art.
More emphasis on the commercial aspects of the art world, a focus on current social and political themes, and a larger diversity of ideas and materials are all hallmarks of contemporary art.
The importance of modern art and contemporary art
Both in terms of their artistic value and their broader cultural and social ramifications, modern and contemporary art are crucial.
Contemporary Art Example
Artistic Experimentation and Development
Both modern and contemporary art are defined by a commitment to experimentation and invention, which both question and expand upon accepted artistic norms and practices.
As a result, many groundbreaking masterpieces have been produced, changing the face of art forever.
Reflection of Cultural Context
Art of the modern and contemporary periods both reflect the cultural milieu in which they were conceived and produced.
Contemporary art represents the social, political, and cultural challenges of our time, while modern art represented the changes in society and culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In this way, both genres of art can shed light on how society's priorities and ideals are shifting over time.
Influence on Other Fields
The fields of literature, music, and film have all been profoundly impacted by modern and contemporary art.
For instance, modernist literature and the development of jazz owe a debt to the avant-garde movements of the early 20th century, and contemporary art has influenced a new wave of filmmakers and musicians.
Economic Impact
The economic value of modern and contemporary art cannot be overstated. The art market is shaped in large part by these institutions, which include museums, galleries, auction houses, and art fairs. Many commercial and artistic opportunities have resulted from this.
Social and Political Impact
Influence on Society and Politics Both modern and contemporary art have made substantial contributions to society and politics by posing new questions and presenting alternative viewpoints on age-old debates about race, gender, and sexuality.
In particular, contemporary art has been in the front of discussions about representation, diversity, and inclusion, fostering deeper levels of understanding and compassion between people of different backgrounds.
Artistic significance, cultural reflection, pervasive influence, tangible economic results, and tangible social and political effects are only few of the many reasons why modern and contemporary art are so vital. They have and will continue to have a formative impact on our worldview and provide fresh perspectives on the human condition.
Modern Vs. Contemporary
Understanding, processing, and categorizing contemporary art may be challenging at times. In contrast to the previous art periods, it is not unified by a style and cannot simply be categorized into a single separate movement.
Today's artists are less concerned with creating aesthetically pleasing works and more with bringing attention to the problems that plague today's society.
This move away from focusing on aesthetic beauty was initiated during the modern art era. Still, contemporary artists have pushed it to an even greater extent and turned the spotlight to the underlying notion of the work.
Modern Art Example
The Objective of Modern Art
The purpose of modern art was to test the limits of creative expression by breaking away from accepted norms of the past. Artists of the modern era strove to break away from traditional academic practices by experimenting with new styles and mediums, frequently employing striking hues, abstract shapes, and unusual processes.
They also aimed to reflect the cultural and social shifts of the time, delving into topics like the effects of industrialization and urbanization. The overarching goal of modern art was to develop a new kind of art that could reflect real life in all its complexities and diversity.
Famous Modern Artists
Piet Mondrian, Edvard Munch, Henri Mattise, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Goh, Wassily Kandinsky, Salvador Dali, and Pablo Piccaso.
The Objective of Contemporary Art
The goal of contemporary art is to provoke thought, frequently depicting a wide variety of political, economic, and social topics.
Contemporary artists often focus their work on issues such as feminism, poverty, oppression, terrorism, globalization, and racism.
Famous Contemporary Artists
Other famous contemporary artists include Kehinde Wiley, Yoko Ono, Anish Kapoor, Banksy, Tracy Emin, David Hockney, Cindy Sherman, Ai Wei Wei, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kasuma, and Jeff Koons.
Conclusion
To sum up, there are certain parallels between modern and contemporary art, such as an emphasis on experimentation and creativity, but there are also many key differences.
Art that was created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was called "modern," and it reflected the social and cultural shifts of the time; art created today is called "contemporary," and it reflects the social, political, and cultural issues of the present.
There is a stronger emphasis on the commercial side of the art world in contemporary works, as well as a focus on current social and political themes. The cultural, social, economic, and political effects of both forms of art are substantial.
1 comment
Thank you very much for this highly informative article. It clearly distinguished Modern from Contemporary art.