Who is a Contemporary Visual Artist?
The term "Contemporary art" - often called "postmodernist art" usually refers to the era that follows "modern art". Therefore, since most art critics agree that modern art ended during the 1960s, contemporary art must refer to artworks created since the 60s.
Characteristics of Contemporary Visual Artists
Instead of the visual quality of the artwork, contemporary artists are typically MORE concerned about:
1. How art is made
2. How it is communicated displayed
3. How it is experienced by the spectator or visitor
They are much more interested in developing ideas and concepts - frequently employing mixed-media formats - than in handcrafting precious objects.
1. How art is made
2. How it is communicated displayed
3. How it is experienced by the spectator or visitor
They are much more interested in developing ideas and concepts - frequently employing mixed-media formats - than in handcrafting precious objects.
What are the Main Contemporary Art Movements?
There are many different forms and styles of contemporary art, each with its own ideology and methodology. There are literally hundreds of different styles that fit under the contemporary art genre.
There are few that stand out, due to their effect on other forms of contemporary art, or because they are more widely circulated:
- Conceptualism
- Performance
- Installation
- Minimalism
Conceptual Framework
Conceptual framework
The “four agencies” encompass the questions of who, what, when, where and why. An artwork does not exist without all four of them, because they all effect each other.
Artist
The role of the artist where the art work is explored as the product of practitioners such as artists, artisans, craftspeople, architects and designers. The artist can be seen as an individual or as a group or movement.
Audience
The role and value of the audience. The audience may be specific such as art historians or critics, or other members of the public such as students, teachers, art buyers, etc. \Artworks themselves are static, but the audience and their interpretation changes over time.
Art
Artworks as real objects. This includes paintings, sculpture, architecture, design, performance art, and genres of these, as well as presentations of an artist's personal and cultural reflections. Additionally, there exists the opportunity for symbolic interpretations and modern reinterpretations.
World
How interests "in the world" are represented in the art. This includes Socio-political aspects such as class, ideologies, etc.; experiences of the world, personal to the artist or experienced by the collective; interests of the art world — movements, styles, innovations, pressures, technology and more.
The “four agencies” encompass the questions of who, what, when, where and why. An artwork does not exist without all four of them, because they all effect each other.
Artist
The role of the artist where the art work is explored as the product of practitioners such as artists, artisans, craftspeople, architects and designers. The artist can be seen as an individual or as a group or movement.
Audience
The role and value of the audience. The audience may be specific such as art historians or critics, or other members of the public such as students, teachers, art buyers, etc. \Artworks themselves are static, but the audience and their interpretation changes over time.
Art
Artworks as real objects. This includes paintings, sculpture, architecture, design, performance art, and genres of these, as well as presentations of an artist's personal and cultural reflections. Additionally, there exists the opportunity for symbolic interpretations and modern reinterpretations.
World
How interests "in the world" are represented in the art. This includes Socio-political aspects such as class, ideologies, etc.; experiences of the world, personal to the artist or experienced by the collective; interests of the art world — movements, styles, innovations, pressures, technology and more.
Meaning in Contemporary art
Sometimes when we look at a piece of art we understand it. Its meaning is obvious to us. Sometimes we do not understand it on a rational level, we simply feel something when we look at it. We can’t always tell why. Artists rarely provide a clear explanation of what their work is about. The only thing we can tell is that there is a reason behind it. No act of creativity can be said to come without meaning or substance.
Not every artist understands why they create something, but one thing that we can say beyond doubt is that culture and surroundings are of constant impact on the artist. And their work will often reflect in part their own culture and surroundings and often impart to us their own reactions to such things, although not always. In this all art is connected. Nothing is truly devoid of meaning. Everything is a reaction to something.
Contemporary art is more interested in the meaning behind the picture, rather than the actual picture. The art making practice is a very important process which is concerned about the production of the artwork and the things that need to be considered before/while making the art work. There are a lot of things to consider when thinking about the meaning of an artwork, for example, the four frames:
Not every artist understands why they create something, but one thing that we can say beyond doubt is that culture and surroundings are of constant impact on the artist. And their work will often reflect in part their own culture and surroundings and often impart to us their own reactions to such things, although not always. In this all art is connected. Nothing is truly devoid of meaning. Everything is a reaction to something.
Contemporary art is more interested in the meaning behind the picture, rather than the actual picture. The art making practice is a very important process which is concerned about the production of the artwork and the things that need to be considered before/while making the art work. There are a lot of things to consider when thinking about the meaning of an artwork, for example, the four frames:
- The subjective frame comprises mainly feelings and emotions expressed, and of audience response or interpretation.
- The structural frame refers to physical techniques and principles applied to the artwork, such as mediums, composition, texture, line, medium, form, contrast, overall structure and the use of symbols.
- The cultural frame examines the influence of differing aspects of culture upon the artwork, such as race or class issues, religion or taste.
- The postmodern frame does not apply only to postmodern artworks, but as an attitude to artworks in general. Features of the postmodern frame include traditionally non-artistic aspects, such as appropriation, and the use of humour and irony.