Introductory Visual Arts: Art History Timeline Contemporary Art

What It Is

Contemporary art refers to art produced from the late 20th century to the present. It encompasses a wide range of styles, techniques, and mediums, often pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. A notable example is the installation art of Marina Abramovic, particularly her 2010 work "The Artist is Present," where she sat silently for 736 hours, inviting visitors to sit across from her. This matters for making or analyzing art because it highlights the importance of performance, interaction, and the artist's presence in contemporary art.

Key Terms & Techniques

• Postmodernism: A movement that questioned the authority of modernism, often using irony, pastiche, and appropriation. Example: Robert Rauschenberg's "Combines" series (1954-59).
• Conceptual Art: Art that focuses on the idea or concept rather than the physical object. Example: John Baldessari's "I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art" (1971).
• Street Art: Art created in public spaces, often using stencils, graffiti, or other forms of urban intervention. Example: Banksy's "Girl with Balloon" (2002).
• Digital Art: Art created using digital tools, such as software, apps, or online platforms. Example: Refik Anadol's "The Library of Babel" (2016).
• Mixed Media: Art that combines different materials or mediums, often creating a new texture or effect. Example: Robert Rauschenberg's "Monogram" (1955-59).
• Assemblage: A technique that involves combining disparate objects to create a new whole. Example: Joseph Cornell's "Medici Princess" (1948).
• Photorealism: A style that aims to accurately depict reality through photography. Example: Richard Estes' "Cityscape" (1969).
• Hyperrealism: A style that exaggerates or distorts reality for effect. Example: Chuck Close's "Big Self-Portrait" (1967-68).
• Feminist Art: Art that addresses issues of gender, identity, and power. Example: Judy Chicago's "The Dinner Party" (1974-79).
• Postcolonial Art: Art that critiques colonialism, imperialism, and cultural appropriation. Example: Adrian Piper's "Cornered" (1988).
• Relational Aesthetics: An approach that emphasizes the social and interactive aspects of art. Example: Rirkrit Tiravanija's "Untitled (Free) (1992).
• Appropriation: The use of existing images, objects, or ideas in a new context. Example: Sherrie Levine's "Fountain (After Marcel Duchamp)" (1991).
• Found Object: An object that is discovered or found, often used in assemblage or collage. Example: Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" (1917).
• Collage: A technique that involves combining disparate materials or images to create a new whole. Example: Pablo Picasso's "Still Life with Chair Caning" (1912).
• Printmaking: A technique that involves creating multiple copies of an image using a matrix or plate. Example: Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans" (1962).

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Contemporary art is only about shock value or provocation.
• Correction: Contemporary art encompasses a wide range of styles and techniques, often pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms, but not all contemporary art is about shock value or provocation. Example: The work of artist Anish Kapoor, which often explores themes of materiality and perception.
• Misunderstanding: Street art is only about graffiti or vandalism.
• Correction: Street art encompasses a range of forms, including stencils, murals, and other forms of urban intervention. Example: The work of artist Shepard Fairey, which often uses stencils and other forms of street art to address social and political issues.
• Misunderstanding: Digital art is only about creating images on a computer.
• Correction: Digital art encompasses a range of forms, including interactive installations, virtual reality experiences, and other forms of digital media. Example: The work of artist Refik Anadol, which often uses digital tools to create immersive and interactive installations.

Quick Identification

1. Describe an artwork that uses a combination of found objects and assemblage techniques. What is the concept behind this artwork? Answer: The concept is appropriation and the use of found objects to create a new whole. Reason: The artwork is an example of assemblage, which involves combining disparate objects to create a new whole.
2. Identify the style of art that aims to accurately depict reality through photography.
   Answer: Photorealism. Reason: The style is characterized by its attention to detail and its aim to accurately depict reality.
3. Describe a situation where an artist uses their body as a medium to create a performance art piece. What is the concept behind this artwork? Answer: The concept is the use of the body as a medium to explore themes of identity, performance, and the relationship between the artist and the viewer. Reason: The artwork is an example of performance art, which often uses the body as a medium to explore themes of identity and performance.

Last‑Minute Revision

• ⚠️ Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" (1917) is an example of conceptual art.
• ⚠️ The term "postmodernism" refers to a movement that questioned the authority of modernism.
• ⚠️ Street art often uses stencils, graffiti, or other forms of urban intervention.
• ⚠️ Digital art can include interactive installations, virtual reality experiences, and other forms of digital media.
• ⚠️ The term "appropriation" refers to the use of existing images, objects, or ideas in a new context.
• ⚠️ The term "relational aesthetics" refers to an approach that emphasizes the social and interactive aspects of art.
• ⚠️ The term "found object" refers to an object that is discovered or found, often used in assemblage or collage.
• ⚠️ The term "collage" refers to a technique that involves combining disparate materials or images to create a new whole.
• ⚠️ The term "printmaking" refers to a technique that involves creating multiple copies of an image using a matrix or plate.
• ⚠️ The term "hyperrealism" refers to a style that exaggerates or distorts reality for effect.
• ⚠️ The term "feminist art" refers to art that addresses issues of gender, identity, and power.
• ⚠️ The term "postcolonial art" refers to art that critiques colonialism, imperialism, and cultural appropriation.
• ⚠️ The term "assemblage" refers to a technique that involves combining disparate objects to create a new whole.
• ⚠️ The term "mixed media" refers to art that combines different materials or mediums.
• ⚠️ The term "photorealism" refers to a style that aims to accurately depict reality through photography.