ART IN

CONTEMPORARY
TIMES
What is Contemporary Art?
• It is an art made and produced by artists living today.
Today’s artists work in and respond to a global
environment that is culturally diverse, technologically
advancing and multifaceted.
Elements or Principles of Contemporary
Art
• 1. Appropriation
• 2. Performance
• 3. Space
• 4. Hybridity
• 5. Technology
Appropriation
• The use of prints, images and icons to produce another
art form is a feature of contemporary art that combines the
past with the present. By appropriation, the contemporary
artist revives interest to existing forms of art.
Performance
• Performance of contemporary artists has evolved to
“emphasize spontaneous, unpredictable elements of
chance”, according to Walker Art Center. Performance
artists have tried to interpret various human activities,
from ordinary activities such as chores, routines, and
rituals, to socially relevant themes such as poverty,
commercialism and war.
Space
• How art transforms a space is now an occupation of
contemporary artists. A flash mob or sculpture
installations in malls and parks are examples of site-
specific art forms wherein the art form is performed and
positioned in specific spots, especially in public places.
Hybridity
• Hybridity in contemporary art is the mixing of unlikely
materials to produce an artwork. Contemporary artists
are now as innovative as ever. Contemporary visual
artists on the other hand, may opt to use coffee for
painting or carve miniature sculptures using crayons.
Technology
• Technology is a reality in the present-day world, and
contemporary artists have used technology in the creation
and dissemination of works of art. When MTV first went
into the airwaves in 1981, video became part of the
human interaction. The video phenomenon was further
pushed by the debut of youtube that allowed everyone
with internet as a way of propagating art.