Is Modern Art the Same as Contemporary Art?

Art|Modern Art

Modern art and Contemporary art are two different concepts that are often confused with each other. Modern art is typically defined as the period of art from the 1860s through 1970s, while Contemporary art refers to artwork created after the 1970s and up until today. Both styles are similar in the sense that they both explore new ideas and techniques, but they differ in the way that modern art focuses on the past, while contemporary art focuses on the present.

Modern Art

Modern art is a movement that began in the late 19th century, which saw an emphasis on abstraction and formalism. This style of artwork was characterized by its rejection of traditional forms of painting, as well as its exploration of new materials, techniques and subject matter.

Artists such as Pablo Picasso, Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian were key figures in this movement. The major themes explored by modern artists include industrialism, urbanization, technology and globalization.

Contemporary Art

Contemporary art is a term used to describe artwork produced from roughly 1970 onward. Contemporary artists often take influence from modernist movements such as abstract expressionism, minimalism and pop art.

However, their artwork tends to be more political and socially-minded than that of their predecessors. Performance art is a common form of contemporary artwork that has been gaining popularity in recent decades. Artists like Yoko Ono, Banksy and Marina Abramović have been at the forefront of experimenting with this medium.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while there are similarities between modern art and contemporary art – both explore new ideas and techniques – there are also significant differences between them. Modern art focuses on past movements while contemporary artists focus on present-day issues such as politics and social justice. Ultimately these two styles of artwork can coexist harmoniously when appreciated for their individual merits.