Modern art is a term used to describe art produced between the 1860s and 1970s. It is characterized by its focus on abstraction, experimentation, and technological advancement.
More specifically, modern art is said to have been influenced by the Industrial Revolution, which created new materials and processes that could be used in artwork. These new materials and processes allowed artists to create more unique works of art than ever before.
Contemporary art, on the other hand, is a term used to describe art produced after the 1970s. It reflects the trends and issues of the current day and age.
Contemporary art is often referred to as ‘post-modern’ because it responds to and critiques modernism in some way. It is often characterized by its use of irony, satire, and abstraction in order to create social commentary on current events or cultural phenomena.
The Key Difference
The main difference between modern and contemporary art lies in their respective dates of production. Modern art is artwork that was produced between the 1860s and 1970s, while contemporary art refers to artwork created after the 1970s.
Modern art was heavily influenced by technological advancements of its time period and focused more on abstraction, experimentation, and individual expression.
Contemporary art tends to be more responsive to current events or cultural phenomena with an emphasis on irony, satire, or social commentary.
Conclusion:
Modern and contemporary art both have their own unique characteristics that set them apart from one another. Modern art was created during a time of great technological advancement which allowed for more unconventional pieces of artwork than had ever been seen before. Contemporary art tends to be more focused on responding to current events or cultural phenomena with an emphasis on irony or satire.