Introduction
Current Problem: Contemporary art is the work of post-modernist artists, which mirror the contemporary society and culture.
Area of Focus: This paper focuses on the contemporary art movements that have emerged since its emergence in the late 1960s.
Thesis Statement: Contemporary art aims at exploring different materials with the aim of expressing specific ideas about postmodern life (Waters, 2010). Investigating the different schools and styles of contemporary art that have existed since the late 1960s to the present day will result in a better understanding of how different periods and events influence artists.
Background
Transition from modern to contemporary art: The transition to a post-modernistic art began in the late 1960 and went through to the 1970s when more schools of contemporary art emerged. (Jones, 2009)
The difference between contemporary art and modern art: Modern art focuses on the creation of unique and enduring art pieces (McGowan, 2013). Contemporary art, on the other hand, focuses on the idea rather than the kind of material and endurance of the artwork (McGowan, 2013)
Types of Postmodernist artworks: Contemporary artists have developed new methods expressing art including video and sound installations, as well as environmental constructions (Art History, 2013).
Gaps in research: Post-modernist art keeps on evolving with newer forms emerging every day. There is a need to understand how contemporary art has emerged and developed over the last four decades; therefore, better predict its future.
Major Point 1: Contemporary art in the 1970s
Minor Point 1: The early 1970s saw the emergence of postmodernism, ugly realism and feminist art (Brodsky & Olin, 2008).
Minor Point 2: Period between 1975 and 1980 saw the emergence of nine style of contemporary art, of which seven are still in existence in the twenty-first century (Visual Arts, 2007).
Minor Point 3: Some of the contemporary style, including post-modernism, bad painting, and Mühlheimer Liberty became less popular in the mid-1980s; therefore, are rarely practiced in the twenty-first century.
Major Point 2: Contemporary art during the 80s
Minor Point 1: Between 1980 and 1985, two art styles emerged namely, free figuration, and Neure Wilde.
Minor Point 2: Mid 1980s saw the emergence of art styles that focused on culture and nature including multiculturalism, and Neo-Geo styles.
Minor Point three: The 1980s also saw the emergence and growth of street art movements including Graffiti, and neo-pop styles (Michno, 2015).
Major Point 3: Contemporary art between 1990-2000
Minor Point 1: Early 1990s saw the emergence of net art, artefactoria, toyism, and lowbrow art styles. The early 1990s also saw the popularization of the Young British Artists, who performed different instances of installation art (Lebourdais, 2015).
Minor Point 2: The mid and late 1990s saw the emergence stuckism. Bitterism and tiki art (Farago, 2015).
Major Point 4: Contemporary art in the 21st Century
Minor Point 1: Only two styles have emerged in the twenty-first century, namely, thinkism, and funism.
Minor point 2: The period from 2000-present has seen a combination of various contemporary styles to produce different art forms, including swimming artwork.
Minor point 3: The twenty-first century has also seen the establishment of a museum meant to house contemporary art.
Conclusion
Restatement of thesis: Contemporary art aims at exploring different materials with the aim of expressing specific ideas about postmodern life (Waters, 2010). Investigating the different schools and styles of contemporary art that have existed since the late 1960s to the present day will result in a better understanding of how different periods and events influence artists and their work.
References
Art History. (2013). Introduction to the Artistic Style of Contemporary Art. Retrieved from Arthistory.net: http://www.arthistory.net/artstyles/contemporaryart/contemporaryart1.html
Brodsky, J. K., & Olin, F. (2008). Stepping out of the Beaten Path: Reassessing the Feminist Art Movement. Journal of Women in Culture and Society, 330-342.
Farago, J. (2015, February 5). The 90s: The Decade that Never Ended. Retrieved from BBC Culture: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20150205-the-1990s-never-ended
Jones, A. (2009). A Companion to Contemporary Art Since 1945. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Lebourdais, G. P. (2015, August 24). The Most Iconic Artists of the 1990s. Retrieved from https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-the-most-iconic-artists-of-the-1990s
McGowan, W. (2013, November 8). Contemporary vs. Modern-What's the Difference. Retrieved from Wendistry: http://wendistry.com/contemporary-vs-modern-whats-the-difference/
Michno, C. (2015, December 15). How 1980s Aesthetics Influence Contemporary Artists Today. Retrieved from ArtBound: https://www.kcet.org/shows/artbound/how-1980s-aesthetics-influence-contemporary-artists-today
Visual Arts. (2007). Contemporary Art Movements. Retrieved from Visual Arts: http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/contemporary-art-movements.htm#feministart
Waters, J. (Writer), & Waters, J. (Director). (2010). John Waters: The Point of Contemporary Art [Motion Picture]. Retrieved from http://www.openculture.com/2010/09/john_waters_the_point_of_contemporary_art.html
