Modern art and contemporary art are two different disciplines of art making. While both are used to express creativity and emotion, there are distinct differences between the two. To understand the differences between modern art and contemporary art it is important to first define each type of art.
Modern Art: Modern art refers to works of art produced during the period from roughly the 1860s to the 1970s. This period saw a radical shift in artistic styles and techniques with new movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism, Fauvism and Surrealism. Modern artists rejected traditional techniques and instead sought to create works that expressed their own inner emotions and ideas.
Contemporary Art: Contemporary art refers to works of art produced after the 1970s. This period has seen an explosion in artistic styles with movements such as Postmodernism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Performance Art and Installation Art among others. Contemporary artists often use technology and digital media in their work to express their ideas.
Key Differences:
- Time Period: Modern art is associated with the period from roughly 1860s to 1970s while contemporary art is associated with post-1970s.
- Techniques: Modern artists rejected traditional techniques while contemporary artists often use technology and digital media.
- Style: Modernist works tend to be focused on abstract forms while contemporary works tend to be more expressive or conceptual.
In conclusion, modern art and contemporary art are two distinct disciplines of visual expression that have evolved over time. While they share some similarities in terms of technique, style, and materials used; there are also key differences between them that make them unique.