Contemporary art practices and movements

Art Book Intro and Conclusion

Art Compilation Book Introduction

Art is taking the archetypical forms of the mind and giving those forms a physical existence. There is no greater example of this truth than modern art. Modern artists challenged the definition of art by removing the expectation of reality and the limitations of society and creating images purely from the mind. These transformations may seem strange or even controversial to many, but that is the intent of the modern artist, to articulate and form the purest archetypical creations imaginable. In doing this, modern art challenges the definitions of form, material, content, and detail to create unimaginable masterpieces.

The primary way that modern artists challenge the societal definition of art is through form. Whereas once artists were considered great because their art took on a life-like quality, modern art removes reality and replaces it with imagination and the psyche. Vincent Van Gough, considered one of the earliest practitioners of modern art, specialized in creating paintings that distorted the natural, physical form and instead replaced it with those images of the mind's eye. Paintings such as "The Scream" by Edvard Munch took this even further by portraying the one things that the mind desires but that cannot be released into the world of reality. Even modern photographic art challenges the conceptions of reality. In Janine Antoni's work "Conduit," the female artist is captured holding male genitals and peeing from a skyscraper. So, the very forms that society considers normal are now challenged and the forms contorted by the artist's mind are exposed and brought full circle.

The second way that modern art has challenged art's very definition is through the materials used. While traditional art used clay, wood, stone and paint to make masterpieces, modern artists use items from everyday life to present art in a new way. Tom Friedman uses everything from sugar cubes to toothpicks in his works to from complex sculptures. Janine Antoni carved sculptures out of soap and "ate" sculptures out of chocolate. Finally, Wolfgang Laib used items as common as milk and pollen in his sculptures that leave his audience speechless.

The third area that modern art challenges is content. Whereas art once only sculpted and painted noble portraits, modern art captures images of the imagination and the socially improper to present an often absurd or even humorous masterpiece. In order to both shock and force his audience to think, Stelarc grafted an artificially grown ear to his arm. In Moor, Antoni makes a long umbilical chord that stretches down the hallways of museums. Edward Wurm has created series of "One Minute Sculptures" with live models covered in hilarious costumes and props.

The final area where modern art has carved out a niche is detail. Whereas once paintings and sculptures were as life-like as could be, modern art explores both the tribal ritualistic tendencies of humans and combines it with the simplicity of mathematics and modern life. In Wolfgang Laib's famous work "Pollen from Hazelnut," the entire work is made with gathered pollen placed into a square on the floor of the museum. This simple shape with its bright color is famous.

With all the evolution taking place within the world of art, it only begs one question, where will artists turn next. What inspiration and creativity will the next generation of artists utilize in forming their great works and how will the world perceive their masterpieces.

Art Compilation Book Conclusion

After completing this course I can honestly say that my educational horizon has been expanded. Exploring the vast world of modern art and observing the strange yet innovative techniques used by modern artists has only inspired my personal pursuits and desires to implement such forms within my own art.

As this collection is concluded, I cannot help but think back on Janine Antoni's "Tightrope." This incredible image captures the true heart of modern artwork. Taken directly from Jeanine's imagination and desires to touch the horizon, she transformed this desire into a physical form by spreading out a tightrope across the horizon. She then proceeded to walk across the rope and at times her feet dip from the ocean and then rise to the sky. Then, in just one moment, her movement captures the impossible, walking on the horizon.

Another piece that will remain with me after this course's completion is Wolfgang Laib's ritualistic work. After viewing "Pollen from Hazelnut" and "Milk Stones" it made me appreciate the simplicity of art. Art does not need to be a decade long pursuit requiring years of care pored into one single piece. Rather, art is an outward expression from the imagination. It can be done and left in a static form, or it can be ritualistically performed in order to present the artist's imaginary intent.

I also enjoyed Wolfgang Laib, Janine Antoni, and Tom Friedman's use of traditional materials when making their masterpieces. Who would have ever considered items like chocolate, milk, pollen, and sugar cubes to be capable of anything but their common purpose. Instead, these modern artists took the works to the next level and transformed the items as needed to portray their message. Even more, it can be made into what one considers a masterpiece and then further changed by the artist to make their ritualistic point, such as in "Lick and Lather."