Modern art and contemporary art are two distinct categories of art that have similarities yet clear differences.
Modern art is an umbrella term for a period of artistic production from the 1860s until the 1970s. During this period, artists began to move away from traditional and classical styles of painting and sculpture, instead exploring new techniques and materials such as photography, film, performance art, installation, and video. In general, modern art is characterized by abstraction, experimentation with form and space, a focus on process rather than product, and a rejection of traditional pictorial representation in favor of more abstract or conceptual approaches.
Contemporary art is a term used to describe art created after the 1970s. It is often characterized by its emphasis on the use of technology and digital media in creating artwork.
Whereas modern artists sought to challenge conventions by breaking away from traditional techniques and materials, contemporary artists often explore new ways of producing artwork through the use of computers, video games, virtual reality, robotics, 3D printing, drones, and other digital tools. Contemporary art also has a strong focus on social engagement and addressing issues such as politics, race relations, environmentalism, gender equality, migration patterns and other social topics.
Similarities between modern and contemporary art include: an exploration of new techniques or materials; abstraction; experimentation with form; a focus on process rather than product; rejection of traditional pictorial representation; and engagement with social issues.
Differences include: modern art’s lack of technology-based tools or media in comparison to contemporary art’s strong reliance on technology-based tools or media; modern’s focus on individual expression while contemporary focuses more on collective expression; modern’s emphasis on breaking away from traditions while contemporary seeks to build upon them; modern’s roots in classical painting/sculpture versus contemporary’s emphasis on digital media/technology for artwork production.
Conclusion: Modern art and contemporary art have both similarities (exploration of new techniques or materials; abstraction; experimentation with form) as well as differences (modern’s lack of technology-based tools compared to contemporary’s reliance on them). While they are distinct categories within the world of fine arts they both explore the boundaries between traditional artistic practices while seeking to create something new which reflects our changing society.