Page 5 - World of Art Contemporary Art magazine: The 2023 Guggenheim issue
P. 5

video. Some examples of diverse contemporary artists are   provocative works that deal with themes such as death,
         Frida Kahlo, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, and Anish   religion, and consumerism. One of the differences between
         Kapoor. A fourth characteristic of contemporary fine art is   contemporary fine art in the US and Europe is the degree
         that it is responsive. This means that contemporary artists   of cultural diversity and globalization. The US has a more
         respond to current events, trends, and phenomena that affect   diverse and multicultural population than most European
         humanity and the world around us. Contemporary fine art   countries, which reflects in its contemporary art scene. Many
         provides an opportunity to reflect on today’s social issues,   American artists have backgrounds or origins from different
         such as identity, community, nationality, and globalisation.   parts of the world, such as Asia, Africa, Latin America, and
         Contemporary artists also use their artworks as a means   the Middle East. They often incorporate elements from their
         of communication, criticism, or activism. Some examples   cultures into their works, creating a rich and varied artistic
         of responsive contemporary artists are Pablo Picasso, Andy   expression. For example, American artist Kehinde Wiley paints
         Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin.               portraits of young black men in poses inspired by classical
         Contemporary fine art is a broad term that encompasses   European paintings, challenging the notions of race and power
         a variety of artistic practices and expressions that relate   in art history. On the other hand, European contemporary
         to the present time. Contemporary fine art is conceptual,   art tends to be more influenced by its own historical and
         transgressive, diverse, and responsive. It challenges the   cultural heritage, as well as by its regional and national
         boundaries and conventions of traditional art forms, and   identities. Many European artists draw inspiration from their
         explores new materials, methods, concepts, and subjects.  local contexts and traditions, creating works that reflect their
         •Similarities and differences between contemporary fine   specific social and political realities. For example, French
         art in the US and Europe?                            artist JR uses street art to create large-scale photographs of
         Contemporary fine art is a broad term that encompasses   ordinary people in urban spaces, highlighting their stories
         various styles, movements, and genres of art produced in the   and voices. Another difference between contemporary fine
         late 20th and early 21st centuries. It is often characterized by   art in the US and Europe is the role of the market and the
         its diversity, experimentation, and engagement with social and   institutions. The US has a more developed and influential
         political issues. Contemporary fine art in the US and Europe   art market than Europe, which affects the production and
         shares some common features, but also has some notable   distribution of contemporary art. Many American artists have
         differences. One of the similarities between contemporary   achieved international fame and recognition thanks to the
         fine art in the US and Europe is the influence of modernism,   support of galleries, collectors, museums, and critics. They
         the artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th and early   often create works that are appealing to the market, either
         20th centuries and challenged the traditional conventions   by being innovative or controversial. For example, American
         of art. Modernism introduced new forms of expression,   artist Jeff Koons is known for his kitsch and colorful sculptures
         such as abstraction, cubism, surrealism, expressionism,   that mimic mass-produced objects, such as balloon animals
         and pop art that influenced many contemporary artists.   or vacuum cleaners. On the other hand, Europe has a more
         For example, American artist Mark Rothko was inspired   public-oriented approach to contemporary art than the US.
         by abstract expressionism, a movement that emphasized   Many European artists receive funding from governments
         spontaneous and emotional painting. His works consist of   or foundations that support cultural projects. They often
         large fields of color that create a sense of depth and mood.   create works that are more accessible or educational for
         Similarly, German artist Gerhard Richter was influenced by   the public, either by being participatory or socially engaged.
         both abstract and photorealistic painting, creating works that   For example, Danish-Icelandic artist Olafur Eliasson creates
         blur the boundaries between reality and illusion. Another   installations that involve natural elements such as light, water,
         similarity between contemporary fine art in the US and   or temperature, inviting the viewers to experience them
         Europe is the use of new media and technologies, such as   physically and emotionally.
         photography, video, installation, performance, and digital art.   • Strategies to monitor the current progress and evolution
         These media allow artists to explore new ways of creating   of contemporary fine art.
         and presenting their works, as well as to interact with the   Keeping up with the latest trends and developments in
         audience and the environment. For example, American artist   contemporary fine art can be challenging, but also rewarding.
         Cindy Sherman uses photography to create self-portraits in   Contemporary fine art is constantly evolving and changing,
         which she assumes different roles and identities, commenting   reflecting the current social and cultural issues, as well as
         on gender stereotypes and social norms. Similarly, British   the personal visions of the artists. There are many ways
         artist Damien Hirst uses installation and sculpture to create   to stay updated and informed about contemporary fine



                                                                                                      WORLD of ART   3
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10