What is “contemporary art”?

Before discussing further about such a confusing issue as “modern art”, I think it is necessary to understand and understand the terms that make up our art. This is what today’s discussion will be devoted to.

Hey! This text has been translated into English using automatic Google translation. So I apologize for the inaccuracies in the text. The original in Russian can be seen here

So, this is a continuation of the topic started last time in the article: How to understand contemporary art?

First of all, we are interested in the phrase “contemporary art” itself. What does it really mean? And now they like to confuse all the meanings so that later they themselves cannot figure out this mess.

Let’s take a look at the world famous Wikipedia. And this is what we see there:

Contemporary art (English contemporary art; in the 1990s, the translation “contemporary art” was in use) is a set of artistic practices that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Usually, contemporary art is understood as art that goes back to modernism, or is in conflict with this phenomenon. This term is historically rooted – it denotes cutting-edge art from the end of World War II to the present. It is genetically related to the art of avant-garde or modernism, but it represents a new round of pictorial languages, with an emphasis on linguistic models proper.

In simple terms, most of what was created after the Second World War is called modern art. And most often they mean avant-garde, abstract and naive directions. Now it has become a little clearer, but there are still a number of questions, since there is no exact definition. Nowhere is it said clearly, clearly and unambiguously. And often even completely opposite meanings are invested.

Therefore, let’s understand the issue further from different angles in order to unambiguously understand the meaning of the term “contemporary art”.

The real meaning of the term “contemporary art”

But what if we consider this phrase separately? Not as a phrase, but each word as an independent definition. Perhaps this will help you get to the bottom of it better.

So, let’s go, let’s start with the first word:

Modern – means relating to the present, existing now, present.

Unfortunately, I could not find more precise characteristics of this term. Basically everywhere only common words in the form of the present tense and now. There is no exact time frame, there is only the concept that modern is in this era. And then understand how you want.

I will assume that now is the last 20 years, for example. Or maybe 30 take? It seems to me that it is no longer worth taking a large time frame. So how do you understand now, the present tense?

Okay, what’s the second word. The designation is in Wikipedia, I quote from there:

Art (from church-glory art, old-glory art – temptation, experience, test) – one of the most general categories of aesthetics, art history and artistic practice. Usually, art means a figurative understanding of reality; the process and result of the expression of the inner and outer (in relation to the creator) world. Consequently, art is a creative activity that reflects the interests not only of the author himself, but also of other people.

Those. art is everything that the author (man) creates, perceiving the world around him. He does not just create, but first studies, passes through himself, through his inner world, everything around him. And only then, after rethinking, he creates his new images.

This is somehow more clear. Art can be called what a person creates, as they say, creates, based on his inner worldview. This is if very rude. For example, the artist saw the sunset, admired it. And then he transferred to paper his feelings from what he saw.

And what happens in the end, let’s see. Literally, “modern art” is what a person now, at the present time, creates on the basis of his worldview. If we take a more official terminology, then this is the figurative rethinking of the surrounding reality that exists now, the result of the perception of the world in the present tense. Those. all creative activity in the present, present time. This is the real meaning of the phrase “contemporary art”.

The term “contemporary art” in the official documentation?

Now let’s look at this question from the other side. There are also official principles that art historians, lawyers and many others operate on, who, on duty, need to make decisions about a wide variety of works of art.

And, since I had to say, let’s see what a artwork – an object that has aesthetic value; a material product of artistic creativity (art), conscious human activity. A work of art meets certain categories of aesthetic value.

This definition will be useful to us a little later, in the next article. We will remember for the future and discuss there already.

Returning to the topic of official documentation. For example, among art historians, usually when there is research on contemporary art in a particular area, they always take the last 10-15 years. This is considered more relevant period. Everything that was before is no longer quite modern, and should go by the wayside, because. is part of history.

There is no such definition as “contemporary art” in the law. However, there is the concept of “cultural value”. And this is a very interesting moment when it is the state that begins to consider this or that work as part of the heritage of the people and to protect it by law.

For any kind of creativity, whether it be painting, sculpture, a work of arts and crafts, a milestone of 50 years is set by law. Namely, a work of art over 50 years old automatically becomes a cultural property protected by law, restricted from moving abroad, etc.

Conclusions

So what do we have in the end after a long discussion? If you look at it in general and briefly, under modern art you can only consider everything that a person (author) now, within the last 15 years, creates on the basis of his worldview. The so-called creative activity in the present, created no more than 50 years ago.

Contemporary art is everything that has been done in the last 10 years. This is not some separate direction, as many say, not a new trend or word. This is literally everything that the artist and author lives today.

But how much everything that the author is doing now is a work of art? This is a completely different question, worthy of separate consideration.

Therefore, to call “modern art” what was created in the last century is simply ridiculous. This is already part of the story that needs to be accepted, realized, drawn conclusions and moved on, creating something new.

P.S.

Today, as a source of inspiration and pictures, I chose the wonderful film “Interstate 60”. There are several moments of reasoning about art that make you think. I also recommend watching.

I fully believe, or rather I know, that some do not like my point of view and will not accept it, they will shower me with slippers or something heavier. However, let’s be objective and look straight into the eyes of reality. Contemporary art is everything that we create now, right now. This is contemporary art! And not any particular direction in art. It cannot be said that abstract trends are modern and progressive, while realistic ones are backward anachronism.

Master of Arts Viachaslau Shainurau

To be continued…