Modern art is seldom accepted within society. Might it be too novel? Perhaps too innovative for some to understand? As all things around us do, art is evolving at a remarkable rate. Whether or not society is ready for the progression is questionable.
Art isn’t the same as it was. If you don’t love contemporary or modern art, you will not appreciate the wave of change, the goal and the process. The foundation is built around those very things.
To help put things into perspective it would be beneficial to take a journey into some of the different styles modern artists use to express themselves.
Abstract art
If you are the kind of person that seeks meaning in everything, this bizarre art style will be very confusing. Abstract art, also known as figurative art, has no connection to the real world. It’s random and entirely open to your own interpretation. To achieve its effect artists use forms, colours and shapes. It encourages you to use your own imagination to tell a story. It gives the artists freedom to not be bound to the traditional rules and techniques of painting. Watercolours, Acrylic mediums and water mixable oils are mostly used.
Fantasy
A genre of art that portrays supernatural themes and mythical auras. Linked to fiction, its main objective is to illustrate stories and narratives. If you love escaping to mythical and magical places this would be the type of art you should seriously inspect a little closer. These pieces will brighten up any room or office. Graphite pencils, charcoal and oil paints are often used.
Steampunk art
Very much inspired by the industrial era. Futuristic concepts such as robotics, cogs and rivets, clock work and original parts from the Victorian era re-imagined are depicted. Prominent materials such as copper, iron, steel and metal are used to create sculptures and paintings. The meaning of a steampunk object will be a satirical take on modern technology.
Graffiti art
There are eight types of graffiti
- Throw-up – Bubble style lettering
- Sticker – Basically a downsized poster
- Stencil – Other graffiti artists might see these pieces as ‘lazy’ by only using a stencil
- Tag – It includes the artist’s name or identifier. It is disrespectful to write a tag over another artist’s work
- Blockbuster – Block letters, massive and can be painted with rollers. It’s fast and easy to do
- Heaven – Tags in a place that is very difficult to get to. Artists who manages to put one up gains a lot of respect from other artists
- Poster – Creating a piece at home and pasting it wherever it looks fabulous
- Wildstyle – Elaborate version of a throw-up and it is hard to read. Consists of arrows, curves and spikes
There are various graffiti supplies used by artists to beautify the neighbourhood
Surrealism
The objective is to liberate thought, language and human experience from rationalism. Focussing on ideas of chaos and unconscious desires to find inspiration for political and artistic creativity. This art form was inspired by Freud’s theories of dreams and unconsciousness. Breaking the chains of logic and comparing unlikely forms onto unimaginable canvases. Techniques used for Surrealism is often collage, cut-up technique and photomontage.
Conclusion
Whether its Hip Hop artifacts sold at an auction, Monograms combined paintings or hyper realistic oil painting of strange antiques that never existed, the world of art is expanding. It’s only limitation is the artist’s imagination.
