What is Modern Art? Many people are shocked when they go to an art gallery and see a few paints splattered on a canvas given the same status as an "Old.

What is Modern What is Modern Art?Art?

Many people are shocked when they go to Many people are shocked when they go to an art gallery and see a few paints an art gallery and see a few paints

splattered on a canvas given the same splattered on a canvas given the same status as an "Old Master". The role of art in status as an "Old Master". The role of art in

western culture has changed over the western culture has changed over the years. Technical skill and realism, years. Technical skill and realism,

predominant since the 15th century, are predominant since the 15th century, are now less relevant. Yet most people still now less relevant. Yet most people still

regard such qualities as the hallmarks of regard such qualities as the hallmarks of good art. good art.

It isn't lifelike:It isn't lifelike: Even the most realistic work of art is just a visual illusion. Just consider Even the most realistic work of art is just a visual illusion. Just consider

what a strange thing it is to try to create the illusion of a three-what a strange thing it is to try to create the illusion of a three-dimensional scene by putting paint on a flat surface. Now that photos, dimensional scene by putting paint on a flat surface. Now that photos,

film, T.V. and video can do the job so well, shouldn't painting be film, T.V. and video can do the job so well, shouldn't painting be concerned with a different sort of reality? concerned with a different sort of reality?

Anyone can do it:Anyone can do it: Many people judge a work of art by the apparent technical skill of the Many people judge a work of art by the apparent technical skill of the artist. They look for features such as "correct" perspective and subtle artist. They look for features such as "correct" perspective and subtle shading, which create the illusion of three dimensions. Many modern shading, which create the illusion of three dimensions. Many modern

artists have felt that overemphasizing technique can stifle the artists have felt that overemphasizing technique can stifle the imagination. imagination.

There are multiple interpretation:There is never just one interpretation of a work of art. Your own personal response is as valid as a critic's, especially if you look

carefully and think about what you see.

Patterns are important:Patterns are important: The rhythmic pattern across the picture surface can conjure The rhythmic pattern across the picture surface can conjure

up different emotions in the viewer, just as music evokesup different emotions in the viewer, just as music evokes different moods in the listener. different moods in the listener.

Energy is visible:Energy is visible: The boldness and density show the energy with which the The boldness and density show the energy with which the

artist has painted.artist has painted.

It inspires: It inspires: Some people think it inspires the viewer to look beyond the Some people think it inspires the viewer to look beyond the

world of recognizable objects, to a more spiritual or world of recognizable objects, to a more spiritual or imaginative plane.imaginative plane.

What started the Modern Art What started the Modern Art Movement?Movement?

The invention of photography in the The invention of photography in the 1830s encouraged artists to attempt 1830s encouraged artists to attempt even greater realism in their paintings even greater realism in their paintings in an effort to compete with it. But as in an effort to compete with it. But as the 19th century wore on, some artists the 19th century wore on, some artists began to question the need for art to began to question the need for art to refer to the outside world at all. This refer to the outside world at all. This led to the development of abstract art. led to the development of abstract art.

A second factor was the decline of A second factor was the decline of patronage - the system whereby the patronage - the system whereby the church, royalty and the aristocracy church, royalty and the aristocracy commissioned works of art. By the commissioned works of art. By the 19th century art dealers had begun 19th century art dealers had begun to sell un-commissioned art to a to sell un-commissioned art to a wider public. This gave artists more wider public. This gave artists more freedom to paint what and how they freedom to paint what and how they liked. liked.

As artists began to experiment with As artists began to experiment with new styles and techniques, they new styles and techniques, they gathered in groups to talk about their gathered in groups to talk about their ideas. Artists with similar aims ideas. Artists with similar aims sometimes formed a movement (i.e. sometimes formed a movement (i.e. futurism). Apart from creating a futurism). Apart from creating a sense of solidarity and confidence, sense of solidarity and confidence, the movements gave them authority; the movements gave them authority; groups of artists tended to be taken groups of artists tended to be taken more seriously than individuals. more seriously than individuals.

Modern Art MovementsModern Art Movements Abstract Expressionism:Abstract Expressionism: Late 1940s-late 50s, USALate 1940s-late 50s, USA

Artists produced large-scale, dramatic abstract paintings. Artists produced large-scale, dramatic abstract paintings. There were two main types: action painting, and the There were two main types: action painting, and the quieter, colorfield painting, which used broad expanses of quieter, colorfield painting, which used broad expanses of color and relied more on color association. This movement color and relied more on color association. This movement was largely responsible for New York displacing Paris as the was largely responsible for New York displacing Paris as the centre of the art world after WWII.centre of the art world after WWII.

Bauhaus:Bauhaus: 1919-33, Germany1919-33, GermanyAn influential German art school which was eventually An influential German art school which was eventually closed down by the Nazis. Each student studied art, closed down by the Nazis. Each student studied art, architecture and design with the ultimate aim of creating a architecture and design with the ultimate aim of creating a better living environment for everyone. Its design principles better living environment for everyone. Its design principles were based on admiration for geometry and the machine.were based on admiration for geometry and the machine.

Conceptual Art:Conceptual Art: Late 1960s-70s, USA and ItalyLate 1960s-70s, USA and ItalyConceptual artists emphasized the ideas underlying works Conceptual artists emphasized the ideas underlying works of art, often as a protest against the commercialism of the of art, often as a protest against the commercialism of the art world. They often used photos, text, etc. to document art world. They often used photos, text, etc. to document an action or even, or to express ideas.an action or even, or to express ideas.

Abstract ExpressionismAbstract Expressionism

BauhausBauhaus

Conceptual ArtConceptual Art

Constructivism:Constructivism: 1917-20, Russia1917-20, RussiaA geometric abstract art movement. Artists were initially A geometric abstract art movement. Artists were initially influenced by Suprematism, but after the Russian influenced by Suprematism, but after the Russian Revolution they tried to help create a new society by Revolution they tried to help create a new society by applying geometric design principles to all areas of life applying geometric design principles to all areas of life (architecture, furniture, clothes design, etc.)(architecture, furniture, clothes design, etc.)

Cubism:Cubism: 1907-early 20s, Paris1907-early 20s, ParisA style pioneered by Picasso and Braque which drew A style pioneered by Picasso and Braque which drew attention to the contradictions involved in depicting a 3-D attention to the contradictions involved in depicting a 3-D scene on a 2-D surface. Analytical Cubism (1907-12) broke scene on a 2-D surface. Analytical Cubism (1907-12) broke down real objects into different parts. Synthetic Cubism down real objects into different parts. Synthetic Cubism (1912-14) built up recognizable images from abstract parts (1912-14) built up recognizable images from abstract parts using ready-made materials.using ready-made materials.

Dada:Dada: 1914-20, Germany, Paris and New York1914-20, Germany, Paris and New YorkA movement of irreverent, unbridled protest against the A movement of irreverent, unbridled protest against the state of western society that led to the First World War. state of western society that led to the First World War. Members saw art as decadent and middle class. They Members saw art as decadent and middle class. They staged events (now often called "Happenings") designed to staged events (now often called "Happenings") designed to shock, and created works out of unconventional materials, shock, and created works out of unconventional materials, or based on chance.or based on chance.

ConstructivismConstructivism

CubismCubism

DadaDada

Expressionism:Expressionism: 1905-early 20s, Germany and Austria1905-early 20s, Germany and AustriaThe artists' main purpose was to express emotions and/or a The artists' main purpose was to express emotions and/or a sense of deeper reality, through vigorous brushstrokes, and sense of deeper reality, through vigorous brushstrokes, and distortion or exaggeration of shapes and colors. There were distortion or exaggeration of shapes and colors. There were two main groups: Die Brucke (The Bridge) and Der Balue two main groups: Die Brucke (The Bridge) and Der Balue Reiter (The Blue Rider). Van Gogh and Munch were key Reiter (The Blue Rider). Van Gogh and Munch were key influences.influences.

Fauvism:Fauvism: 1905-10, France1905-10, FranceA group of young painters centered around Matisse whose A group of young painters centered around Matisse whose work was characterized by strong color and powerful brush work was characterized by strong color and powerful brush strokes. Their work tended to be joyful.strokes. Their work tended to be joyful.

Futurism:Futurism: 1909-14, Italy1909-14, ItalyThis movement was founded by the poet Marinetti. Its This movement was founded by the poet Marinetti. Its members rejected the past and instead celebrated the members rejected the past and instead celebrated the dynamism of the machine age and city life.dynamism of the machine age and city life.

ExpressionismExpressionism

FauvismFauvism

FuturismFuturism

Impressionism:Impressionism: 1874-861874-86The first major avant-garde movement. The name was The first major avant-garde movement. The name was invented in 1874 by a hostile critic, inspired by a painting invented in 1874 by a hostile critic, inspired by a painting by Monet entitled Impression: Sun Rise. The Impressionists' by Monet entitled Impression: Sun Rise. The Impressionists' aim was to capture the passing moment, by means of a aim was to capture the passing moment, by means of a sketchy technique, strong color and a commitment to sketchy technique, strong color and a commitment to outdoor, on-the-spot painting, with as little reworking in the outdoor, on-the-spot painting, with as little reworking in the studio as possible.studio as possible.

Kinetic Art:Kinetic Art: 1960s, International1960s, InternationalSculpture that actually moves, often using modern Sculpture that actually moves, often using modern technology to achieve this. It contrasts with Op art which technology to achieve this. It contrasts with Op art which just appears to move. just appears to move.

Land Art:Land Art: 1960s-80s, USA and GB1960s-80s, USA and GBArt that involves the artist going out into nature (normally Art that involves the artist going out into nature (normally in a remote area), and making his or her mark on it. The in a remote area), and making his or her mark on it. The only record that remains is photographic, sometimes only record that remains is photographic, sometimes combined with maps, text and so on. More recently, some combined with maps, text and so on. More recently, some Land artists have exhibited sculptures made from natural Land artists have exhibited sculptures made from natural found objects inside galleries.found objects inside galleries.

ImpressionismImpressionism

Kinetic ArtKinetic Art

Land ArtLand Art

Pop Art:Pop Art: Late 1950s-60s, USA and GBLate 1950s-60s, USA and GBThe apparent celebration of western consumerism after the The apparent celebration of western consumerism after the auterity and rationing of the war years. The artists' work auterity and rationing of the war years. The artists' work evokes the brash, colorful world of advertising, commic evokes the brash, colorful world of advertising, commic strips and popular entertainment.strips and popular entertainment.

Post Impressionism:Post Impressionism: 1880s-90s, France1880s-90s, FranceA blanket term referring to art that both learned from and A blanket term referring to art that both learned from and rejected certain Impressionist principles. Cezanne and rejected certain Impressionist principles. Cezanne and Seurat tried to regain a sense of order; Gauguin attempted Seurat tried to regain a sense of order; Gauguin attempted to express a world of imagination and spirituality; van to express a world of imagination and spirituality; van Gogh, elemental emotions.Gogh, elemental emotions.

Socialist Realism:Socialist Realism: 1930s-50s, USSR1930s-50s, USSRArt promoted by the Stalinist regime in Russia as a Art promoted by the Stalinist regime in Russia as a propoganda tool. The artists used a realistic, but often propoganda tool. The artists used a realistic, but often melodramatic style to present an idealized vision of society melodramatic style to present an idealized vision of society and its leaders.and its leaders.

Pop ArtPop Art

Post ImpressionismPost Impressionism

Social RealismSocial Realism

Minimalism: Minimalism: Late 1960s-70s, USALate 1960s-70s, USAAn intellectual sort of art which seems to consist of very An intellectual sort of art which seems to consist of very little, so that the viewer is forced to scrutinize the formal little, so that the viewer is forced to scrutinize the formal roperties of what is actually there very carefully. The work roperties of what is actually there very carefully. The work is usually rigorously geometric and involves the repetition is usually rigorously geometric and involves the repetition of identical objects. Malevich was among the pioneers of of identical objects. Malevich was among the pioneers of this kind of art.this kind of art.

Neo-Expressionism:Neo-Expressionism: Late 1970s-80s, InternationalLate 1970s-80s, InternationalWidespread and much-publicized characteristic of 1980s Widespread and much-publicized characteristic of 1980s art. art.

Op Art:Op Art: Late 1950s-60s, InternationalLate 1950s-60s, InternationalThe name is short for Optical art. It refers to a geometric The name is short for Optical art. It refers to a geometric abstract art that manipulates the viewer's visual response abstract art that manipulates the viewer's visual response and creates the illusion of movement. Artists use theories and creates the illusion of movement. Artists use theories from the psychology of perception to achieve this effect.from the psychology of perception to achieve this effect.

MinimalismMinimalism

Neo-ExpressionismNeo-Expressionism

Op ArtOp Art

Symbolism:Symbolism: 1890s, International1890s, InternationalA literary and artistic movement which, partly in reaction to A literary and artistic movement which, partly in reaction to Realism and Impressionism, emphasized the world of the Realism and Impressionism, emphasized the world of the imagination, of ideas, dreams and emotions. It is a predecessor imagination, of ideas, dreams and emotions. It is a predecessor of Expressionism and Surrealism.of Expressionism and Surrealism.

Vorticism:Vorticism: 1910-14, England1910-14, EnglandA group of London-based avant-garde artists inspired by cubism A group of London-based avant-garde artists inspired by cubism and Futurism. They rejected the gentility of the English art world and Futurism. They rejected the gentility of the English art world and celebrated the excitement and beauty of the machine age. and celebrated the excitement and beauty of the machine age. They published a magazine called "Blast." The movement did They published a magazine called "Blast." The movement did not survive the brutality of WWI.not survive the brutality of WWI.

Surrealism:Surrealism: 1924-40s, Paris1924-40s, ParisA movement that drew on certain ideas of Dada, and on the A movement that drew on certain ideas of Dada, and on the writings of Freud to create an art which was intended to free the writings of Freud to create an art which was intended to free the viewer as well as the artist by exploring the world of the viewer as well as the artist by exploring the world of the unconscious and subconscious mind. some artists used unconscious and subconscious mind. some artists used unorthodox techniques such as frottage (random rubblings from unorthodox techniques such as frottage (random rubblings from different materials).different materials).

SymbolismSymbolism

VorticismVorticism

SurrealismSurrealism

Henri MatisseHenri MatisseView of Collioure, 1906View of Collioure, 1906

Fauvism is the movement where the artists Fauvism is the movement where the artists exaggerated vibrant colors that express exaggerated vibrant colors that express

feelings. feelings.

A cropped image of shapes A cropped image of shapes and colors that abstracts and and colors that abstracts and

simplified forms. simplified forms.

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