Is Contemporary Art the Same as Modern?

Art|Modern Art

Modern and Contemporary art are two common terms used to describe artistic works. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to different periods in art history.

Modern art refers to artwork created between the late 19th century and the mid-20th century. Contemporary art is artwork created after the mid-20th century.

Modern art began with the advent of Impressionism, which was a reaction against Realism and a precursor for further artistic movements such as Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Dadaism and Abstract Expressionism. These movements focused on experimentation, attempting to push boundaries and create something new.

They tended to be more radical than earlier styles of art, often using bright colors, abstract shapes and unconventional materials.

Contemporary art is a much broader term that encompasses multiple styles of artwork from varied artistic movements. Contemporary art is often characterized by its use of new technologies such as photography, digital media and video installations alongside traditional media such as painting and sculpture. It also incorporates themes from popular culture such as consumerism, globalization and identity politics.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while both modern and contemporary art are broad terms used to describe artistic works created over the past few centuries, they do have different definitions. Modern art refers to artwork created between the late 19th century and mid-20th century whereas contemporary art encompasses all artwork created after the mid-20th century.