What is Contemporary Art?

Most people, both within and outside the art community, often think of art as the works of famous artists from previous eras. Art works from the Renaissance or the eighteenth century, for instance, may be considered great art. Similarly, the works of Van Gogh, Manet and Monet, or giants like Picasso, all controversial in their time, are now held in high esteem. Art enthusiasts from around the world place high regard and value on the works of these renowned artists.

The status ascribed to such artists, however, is often denied to contemporary artists. Across different cultures and institutions, many meanings have been attached to contemporary art. Art critics often use contemporary art in a rather all inclusive manner; that is, as art that is contemporary to us. Modern art is more often used to describe art produced from World War II and afterward, although the general public tend to interchange these terms.

Contemporary art is sometimes said to have emerged as a reaction to Modernism that ruled over the early part of the 20th Century. Post-modernism is often associated with a multiplicity of views and styles and the feeling that everything is acceptable as art. But these are all just labels and it is the nature of the art itself that matters.

Different attitudes to contemporary art

Contemporary art is often not given the respect that it is due by critics simply because it has not yet survived the test of time. We can never be sure which contemporary artists and sculptors will be best regarded in the future, like the renowned artists of the past. Some scholars, especially the conservative ones, even deny that contemporary art is true art. At the other extreme, there are artists and sculptors working today who would claim that a work is art simply because the artist claims that it is art.

Movements within contemporary art

Even with the public perception problems that contemporary art often seems to have, its existence and importance cannot be denied. Proof of this are the magnificent pieces produced today as well as art movements recognized for their contributions not only to the community but to society in general. These movements are exciting because they are always in flux but include relationships with Post-Modernism, Feminism, Neo-Expressionism, and avant garde movements inherited from the 1970s, the Grafitti, Neo-Pop, Language and Multiculturalist movements in the 1980s, the Net Art, Found Art and Toyism of the 1990s, and the Thinkism and Funism of the new millennium, to name but a few! (I'm not making these up, I promise!) It's hard but fascinating to stand back from all this and try to work out where art, craft, design and sculpture are heading next.

Towards a more socially relevant art form

Taking into account the direction of travel, it might be said that contemporary art, craft and sculpture is now leaning towards a more socially relevant form of art with concern for such issues as global warming and the environment. The subjects, styles, and images commonly used in art, sculpture and design inevitably reflect our time, or engage with it in exciting and unexpected ways.

The subject matter of contemporary art spans economic, social, and political concepts. More importantly, contemporary art often touches on the deep emotional issues that trouble our society, such as injustice, poverty or facing up to those things that are always with us such as relationships, love and death. This has been a function of art throughout time. Often, these concerns are closely tied to one another and, over the years, some issues and topics have been dropped from the discussion. Others, though, like feminism, globalization, AIDS awareness, and multiculturalism continue to be on the atist's mind. In this sense, the contemporary artist often affects us most when he or she reminds us of our common humanity.

The Artist and Viewer need each other

The only way to understand contemporary art, sculpture and design is to look at it and respond to it in our own way. We will then come to appreciate the rich variety of materials and mediums used. Art is no longer just about oils, acrylic and canvas but lighting, sound, video and all the other tools of our contemporary world. In a contemporary piece of work you are likely to see photographs, installations, constructions, everyday items, technology and other unique media which the artists use to convey their thoughts and messages.

There are no boundaries to what can be created under the description of contemporary art, We will not like everything we see and some pieces may be shocking to us. Contemporary art, craft and sculpure takes us out of our comfort zone very often. There are no limits to what we can expect from these pieces. Consequently, contemporary art may test out our beliefs of right or wrong as well as our ideas of beauty. And it may challenge some of our core beliefs in unsettling ways. Many experts say that the true beauty of contemporary art is that it is open for everyone’s own interpretation.

A haven for contemporary art, craft and design

The variety of form and attitude that characterizes contemporary art, however, often earns it negative reactions in some sections of the public mind and from the strict schools of high art. This is not to say, however, that contemporary art is not appreciated. It has never been more relevant to our lives or more loved..

To see and experience for yourself the beauty and challenge of contemporary art, feel free to visit Adyta.com, a gallery and haven of contemporary art, craft and sculpure. Likewise, contemporary artists and craftspeople are invited to submit art and craft pieces. The space enables artists, sculptors and crafspeople to interact with their viewersand discuss their work.