What is art? There exists not one but hundreds of definitions of art offered by renowned artists, scholars, and philosophers throughout the ages. Considered literally, art refers to any specialized skill, or human activities encompassing a wide range of fields like literature, music, painting, or sculpting. It’s the end but not the means that constitutes the success of art. A lot many artists believe in the cult of art for art’s sake. However, this function of art has been subjected to severe criticism by some of the noted scholars of the late 19th century who believed in the instructional quality of art. To them, art existed not just for aesthetic pleasure but was also associated with the purpose of converting the mind into a particular trend of thought.
Theories abound as to the true purpose of art. Whether didactic or aesthetic, there is no denying that art casts its influence on the observer’s mind. Times have changed and with it, artistry has undergone multiple changes too. If Romanticism and Classicism influenced art works of yester years, it is Realism, Impressionism, Fauvism, Dadaism, and Surrealism that have laid their impact on contemporary art. No wonder, contemporary art is distinctly different from the art works of earlier generations.
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The public has always had some interest in art. Today’s media quite often does a superficial reading in the art world – probably more just to attract readers/viewers. There is so little understanding in the culture today about contemporary art that it leaves interested people somewhat isolated. The public funding for arts education has been cut – and with it so has any communication or appreciation of contemporary art in the public schools.
To find out more about contemporary art you can read articles on the topic in various places. I hope you will read some of them at Contemporary Art Gallery Magazine. CAG has several fine writers working on basic education of people to contemporary art, as well clearing up some of the more controversial questions on contemporary, and even some articles on esthetics and artists’ interviews.
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Contemporary art is commonly understood as art that’s current, or art that has been produced recently. As an artwork ages, it is not known as contemporary anymore. It becomes historical.
Usually, art that’s produced in the 20th Century onwards are considered contemporary art. But it’s hard to classify an artwork as contemporary simply based on time alone. What happens if an artwork is produced based on ancient ideas? Would that art piece be considered as contemporary art? Hardly.
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