The key difference between modern and contemporary art is that modern art encompasses art created in the late 19th century to mid-20th century, characterized by its departure from conventional artistic traditions, whereas contemporary art encompasses the art created in the present and recent times, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the artistic landscape.
During the late 19th century, artists were breaking away from the established artistic precedents and the conventional teachings of art academies. Therefore, this new form of art was termed as ‘modern art’. As modern art evolved into contemporary and postmodern art, it kept changing and staying dynamic, reflecting the ongoing changes in the art world. These changes led to two different but connected periods in art: modern art and contemporary.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Modern Art
3. What is Contemporary Art
4. Similarities – Modern and Contemporary Art
5. Modern vs. Contemporary Art in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Modern and Contemporary Art
7. Summary – Modern Art vs. Contemporary Art
What is Modern Art
Modern art, which is the period spanning from the 1860s to the 1970s, is a significant period in the history of art. It marked a departure from traditional artistic norms and brought in a new era of experimentation and innovation. One of the defining features of modern art was its rejection of established artistic conventions. Artists of this period sought to break free from the traditional rules and explore new ways of artistic expression. This led to the development of various art movements with distinct styles and philosophies. Impressionism, for example, focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and emotion, while Post-Impressionism, as seen in the works of Vincent van Gogh, emphasized a more personal and emotional approach to art. Cubism, led by artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, deconstructed and reassembled reality, offering a different way of seeing the world.
Abstraction played a significant role in modern art, with artists like Wassily Kandinsky and Kazimir Malevich pushing the boundaries of representation and emphasizing the use of color, form, and emotion over realistic depictions.
Figure 01: Wheatfield with Crows by Vincent van Gogh
Modern art was also a time of individualism, allowing artists to express their unique visions and perspectives. Movements like Surrealism and Dada explored the subconscious and the absurd, embracing personal creativity and experimentation.
Innovations in materials and techniques were also a hallmark of modern art. The advent of screen printing, photography, and collage expanded the artist’s toolkit, allowing for new possibilities in artistic expression.
Significant social and political changes marked this period, and many artists used their work to comment on the world around them. Artists like Pablo Picasso and Diego Rivera used their art to convey powerful messages about war, revolution, and social inequality.
What is Contemporary Art?
Contemporary art, as the term suggests, reflects the current era and is primarily produced by living artists. It encompasses a broad spectrum of media, ranging from traditional painting and sculpture to video art and technologically enabled works that utilize digital and interactive elements. This diversity of mediums allows artists to push the boundaries of creativity and explore novel ways of engaging with their audience.
Themes in contemporary art often revolve around pressing issues of the present day, providing a platform for artists to comment on and dissect the complexities of our modern world. These themes can include a wide array of subjects, such as globalization, terrorism, feminism, environmental concerns, and societal change. Contemporary artists grapple with these issues, offering fresh perspectives and thought-provoking interpretations through their work.
Figure 02: Contemporary Art Gallery
Prominent figures in the realm of contemporary art include Jeff Koons, known for his bold and often provocative sculptures, Yoko Ono, who has made significant contributions to conceptual and performance art, the enigmatic street artist Banksy, whose politically charged and satirical works have garnered global attention, and the avant-garde Yayoi Kusama, celebrated for her immersive and visually stunning installations.
Contemporary art serves as a mirror to our times, reflecting the complexities and challenges of the present while inspiring dialogue, debate, and critical thinking. It is a dynamic and ever-evolving field, capturing the essence of our contemporary world through the lens of artistic innovation and expression.
What are the Similarities Between Modern and Contemporary Art?
- Modern and contemporary art challenge established artistic traditions, often departing from conventional styles and using abstract and symbolic approaches.
- Both periods reflect the cultural, social, and political issues of their respective eras.
- Both modern and contemporary art use a wide range of artistic media.
What is the Difference Between Modern and Contemporary Art?
Modern art encompasses the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, while contemporary art represents the art created in the present and recent times. Thus, this is the key difference between modern and contemporary art. Modern art marked a significant departure from established artistic traditions, introducing movements such as Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism. Contemporary art continues to evolve, often drawing from the ideas of modernist pioneers, and explores a diverse range of media, including video art and digital installations. In terms of their themes, modern art emphasizes abstraction and symbolism, moving away from traditional narrative art forms, while contemporary art covers a broad spectrum of themes, from societal issues to identity, and uses diverse and experimental approaches to address these topics.
Below is a summary of the difference between modern and contemporary art in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
FAQ: Modern and Contemporary Art
Why are modern and contemporary art important?
Modern and contemporary art are important because they reflect the evolving culture, ideas, and aesthetics of their respective times, challenging norms, fostering creativity, and providing platforms for critical commentary on society and the world. They shape and document the artistic evolution and serve as a reflection of the human experience in their respective eras.
What are examples of modern art?
Vincent van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” Pablo Picasso’s “Les Demoiselles d’Avignon,” and Wassily Kandinsky’s “Composition VII” are some examples of modern art.
What makes modern art unique?
What makes modern art unique is its departure from tradition, its embrace of abstraction and symbolism, the diversity of movements and styles it encompasses, and its continuous exploration of new media, perspectives, and influences.
Summary – Modern Art vs. Contemporary Art
Modern art and contemporary art represent two distinct yet interconnected periods in the world of art. Modern art encompasses art created in the late 19th century to mid-20th century, characterized by its departure from conventional artistic traditions, whereas contemporary art encompasses the art created in the present and recent times, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the artistic landscape. So, this is the main difference between modern and contemporary art.
Reference:
1. “Modern art.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Contemporary art” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Vincent van Gogh – Wheatfield with crows – Google Art Project” By Vincent van Gogh – dwFdD5AMQfpSew at Google Cultural Institute maximum zoom level (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Modern and contemporary art galleries 7” By Amy Vaughters, Smithsonian American Art Museum – Smithsonian American Art Museum (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia