Since the 1960s, contemporary art has overturned the accepted historical
categorizations of what constitutes art, who creates it, and how it is
represented and validated. This guide brings the subject up to date,
exploring the notion of "contemporary" and what it means in the present
as well as how it came about.
Curator and writer Natalie Rudd explains the many aspects of
contemporary art, from its backstory to today, including different
approaches, media, and recurring themes. Each chapter addresses a core
question, explored via an accessible narrative and supported by an
analysis of relevant works.
Rudd also looks at the role of the art market and its structures,
including art fairs and biennales, and how these have developed since
the millennium; the expanded role of the contemporary artist as
personality; and how artists are untangling historical and contemporary
narrativesto expose inequalities, the ethics of making, and the
potential for art to improve the world and effect political change. A
reference section offers advice on how to interpret contemporary art and
where to access it.
Offering a multinarrative and international perspective, Contemporary
Art discusses what motivates artists as they try to make sense of the
world and their place within it. This guide promises to reduce your
feelingsof intimidation when engaging with contemporary art, offering
useful knowledge about diverse artists.
