Modern art and contemporary art are two distinct categories of art that have been around for centuries. While they share many similarities, they are also quite different in terms of the techniques used and the subjects they focus on.
Modern art is a term used to describe a variety of artistic styles that began in the late 19th century and early 20th century. It includes movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Dadaism, Cubism, Constructivism, and Abstract Expressionism.
These styles are characterized by a focus on abstraction and experimentation with form. The goal was not necessarily to create realistic representations of the world around them but rather to explore their own inner thoughts and feelings through their artwork.
Contemporary art is a term used to describe artwork created from roughly the mid-20th century onward. It includes movements such as Pop Art, Minimalism, Postmodernism, Conceptual Art, Performance Art, and Installation Art.
These styles are characterized by an emphasis on concepts and ideas rather than traditional aesthetics or materials. Contemporary artists often use everyday objects or materials to make their works of art in order to make a statement about society at large.
So while modern art focuses on abstraction and experimentation with form, contemporary art focuses on concept and ideas.
Ultimately, both modern art and contemporary art have their own distinct characteristics that make them unique from one another. However, they can also be seen as part of an ongoing dialogue between artists across time periods that encourages creativity and exploration of new ways of thinking about the world around us.
In conclusion, modern art is characterized by abstract forms while contemporary art is focused on concepts and ideas. While there is overlap between the two categories, it is important to recognize that there are also many differences between them.