contemporary art is a artistic trend built from postmodernism, presenting innovative artistic expressions and techniques, which encourage subjective reflection on the work.
Also known as Post-Modern Art, contemporary art broke with some aspects of Modern Art, helping to shape a new mentality in the artistic world. However, many of the values defended by Modern Art were kept in Contemporary, such as the desire for artistic inventions and experiments, for example.
There is no consensus on when contemporary art originated, but it was probably in the middle of the second part of the 20th century, after World War II.
In the post-war period, the prevailing feeling was that of rebuilding society. Artists, based on this principle and supported by the advancement of globalization, new technologies and media, began to see new ways of expressing themselves artistically.
contemporary art values more the concept, attitude and idea of the work than necessarily the final object. The intention is to reflect subjectively on the artistic piece, not just contemplate it for its aesthetic nature.
A wide range of styles, perspectives and techniques make up contemporary art, which can be manifested either through painting, or through dance, music, theater, sculpture, literature, fashion, facilities, etc.
Learn more about Modern Art.
Characteristics of contemporary art
Some of the main features of contemporary art are:
- Abandonment of traditional supports;
- Fusion between art and life;
- Use of new technologies and media;
- Mix of artistic styles;
- Interactive works;
- Works question the definition of art;
- Approach to popular culture;
- Use of different materials for the production of works;
- Freedom and artistic ephemerality;
- Based on the concept of the information society.
Brazilian contemporary art
In Brazil, contemporary art began to develop in the 1950s, with the avant-garde movement known as Neoconcretism.
Among some of the main Brazilian artists that fostered contemporary art in the country, highlighting: Hélio Oiticica (1937 - 1980); Romero Britto (1963 - ); Ferreira Gullar (1930 - 2016); Amilcar de Castro (1920 - 2002); Lygia Clark (1920 - 1988); Lygia Pape (1927 - 2004); between others.
Learn more about the meaning of Contemporary.
Top artists of contemporary art
Among some of the main artists who stand out worldwide through their work in contemporary art, the best known are:
- Andy Warhol
- banksky
- Damien Hirst
- Jean-Michel Basquiat
- Anselm Kiefer
- Richard Serra
- Bill Viola
- Jeff Koons
- Marina Abramović
- Gerhard Richter
- Takashi Murakami
- Lucian Freud
- Keith Haring.
Contemporary art movements
Some of the main avant-garde movements and schools that emerged based on contemporary art are related to the idea of communication, and not consumption, as happened with Modern Art:
- pop art
- Conceptual art
- Digital art
- Photography
- Installation
- Urban art / street art
- body art
- Arte power (art)
- New Media Art
- hyperrealism
- photorealism
- Op art
- Kinetic art.
See also the meaning of Contemporary dance and The Types of Art.