subject: Contrast Of Contemporary And Modern Art [print this page] A Contemporary Art is something often mistaken as sharing the same time period as Modern Art. In fact most of the times, others may mean Contemporary Art but generally refer to it as a Modern Art. It can be said true at some times, but if one is to be more defined in distinguishing art work as contemporary or modern, there is a time line which is can be used as the best guide in the assessment.
Modern Art was the term used when artists initially made a move to break away from the traditional Art before had to have a definite shape and form. Artists who wanted to break away from art norms, held back because their art was still dependent on how society would see it. It is said that it wasnt up until the 1960s that Indian Modern Art really emerged as a statement and became more defined as to what Modern Art is all about. A strong sense f design is the most important characteristic f Indian art nd cn b observed in traditional as well as modern Indian art.
Modern Art had its prominence from 60s up to the 70s when artists attained full freedom to express their ideas in any forms whatsoever without being accused of being demented. Depiction of modern life, like busy market places or an old can corroding in some corner of the garden became subjects. Modern Art meant the ability of an artist to see beauty where others could not and present them as art works so others can see the beauty that he sees in his subjects.
Indian Contemporary Art overlaps Modern Art, since its concept no longer dwells on how and what to express as art ideas. Contemporary Art is all about what is current and may also include those with utilitarian value without any restriction in its theme or subject matter.
Contemporary Art finds much of its definitions applicable in different traditions and cultures where ethnic or tribal arts are fused with what is current and global. Indian art for example has its influence traced back to Greek art, where forms of deity are the known subjects. As India gained its independence and became more active in participating globally, Indian Contemporary Art also developed into something modern by freely expressing what is being presented by their Western counterparts but with Indian flare and sense of artistry.
