Contemporary Arts

 Contemporary art is the art of today, produced in the second half of the 20th century or in the
21st century. Contemporary artists work in a globally influenced, culturally diverse, and
technologically advancing world. Their art is a dynamic combination of materials, methods,
concepts, and subjects that continue the challenging of boundaries that was already well
underway in the 20th century. (Wikipedia)
Characteristics of Contemporary Art
 Contemporary art is not confined to the museum. They are also found in galleries, art schools,
side streets, and public spaces like the train or bus station, shopping centers or parks.
 The practice of selling paintings has also changed in contemporary art, many artworks are
posted online.
 Many contemporary artists are self-taught and did not have formal education. Access to
different kinds of materials that were originally used only for construction.
 In architecture, different shapes and forms have emerged as a result of the use of different
materials.
 It is also not surprising to find contemporary artists who employ the help of fabricators,
carpenter, electricians or welders in “constructing” their artworks. This is practiced by
conceptual artists that use principles of physics and the technology of construction to form their
artworks.
 Originality is not an issue in contemporary art. An artist can get another artist’s work and add to
it, redesign or interpret it using other materials.
 Given these characteristics, it can be said that Contemporary art is a statement that an artist
makes about life, thoughts, ideas, beliefs, and many other things that define human life.
Art Movements and Styles
1. Abstract expressionism – is a painting style in which the artist applies paint in a manner that
expresses emotions and feelings in a spontaneous way. The figures may be heavy in lines and
color without solid mass.
2. Kinetic art – is a sculpture that moves with the wind or is powered by a machine or electricity.
3. Op art – uses lines or images repeatedly to create an optical illusion.
4. Performance art – combines a variety of media and the human body to execute an artistic
theatrical expression before a live audience.
5. Environment art – involves the artistic creation or manipulation of space such as landscape or
architectural design that may enclose its audience.
6. Feminist art – emerged from concerns of female artists expressed through art.
7. Minimalism – had a stripped down, pre-fabricated look, free of details and often with flat
surface but expresses a specific content or statement.
8. Video art – consist of images that are recorded through a video and viewed through television,
computer or projection screen.
9. Graffiti art – is a drawing, inscription or sketch done hastily on a wall or other surface made to
be seen by the public.
10. Postmodern art – carries modern styles to extreme practices, often expressing an idea through
a mix of materials such as found objects welded together.
11. Body art – is an art form that uses the body as the medium or main material. It can be painted
or clothed and used to perform artistic act in public.
12. Digital art – is done with the aid of computer to create an image or design composed of bits and
bytes. The image can be printed on paper, tarpaulin, or other mediums.