Contemporary Art Concepts

Contemporary Art

• Contemporary art originates from current events and societal passions, expressing views, beliefs, and ideas relevant to the present time.
• Contemporary art is not confined to museums. It can be found in galleries, art schools, public spaces like train stations and parks, or even shopping centers.
• Contemporary artists frequently use the internet and social media to market their works, allowing online sales regardless of location.
• Many contemporary artists are self-taught, acquiring skills through independent study, interaction with other artists, and research. They also employ practical skills like welding.
• Contemporary artists utilize a wide range of materials, often combining traditional and unconventional elements, resolving issues of weight through technology.
• Collaborative efforts involving fabricators, carpenters, electricians, and welders are common in contemporary art construction. This is a result of contemporary artists drawing upon principles of physics and construction.
• Originality is not a primary concern in contemporary art. Artists can reinterpret and adapt existing works using different materials, as seen in reinterpretations of Juan Luna's Spolarium.
• The creation process itself is vital to contemporary art, significantly outweighing the financial aspects of its sale, with the experience being more valuable than profit.

Subject Matter and Style in Contemporary Art

• Subject matter refers to the people, objects, or themes depicted in an artwork.
• Contemporary art subjects can include figures, landscapes, environments, or concepts. Subjects can also be the artistic technique itself.
• Abstract expressionism showcases emotional and spontaneous brushstrokes and color applications, often expressing feelings and emotions.
• Subject matter and artistic style vary considerably across the spectrum. Examples of the varied styles include kinetic art, which uses mechanics and electrical energy to move sculptures, and op art that uses repetition and geometric designs to create illusions. Other styles include performance art, which uses the body and media in artistic expressions; and environmental art, which utilizes space to create an artistic experience.
• Other forms of contemporary art include female centered feminist art that focuses on issues of gender roles, equality and identity in society, such as the artwork Filipina: A Racial Identity Crisis by Pacita Abad.
• Minimalist art focuses on simplicity and lack of details, using flat surfaces to convey a specific conceptual or thematic message.
• Video art utilizes recorded images shown through television, computers, or projectors.
• Graffiti art entails quick drawings, inscriptions, or sketches on walls or other visible surfaces.
• Postmodern art utilizes a wide range of materials, including found objects, in a combination of modern styles to achieve a unique artistic message.
• Body art encompasses forms that use the body as a medium or material, such as tattooing and body painting.

Techniques in Contemporary Art

• Techniques in contemporary art include collage, using various materials, decalcomania (transferring images), decoupage, frottage, montage, trapunto, and digital application.
• Digital art uses computer programs to create images and designs, often printed on other media, including paper, tarpaulins, etc rather than solely using the computer as the final product for display.