Understanding the Functions and Forms of Contemporary Art
Functions of Contemporary Arts
1. Contemporary Art for Pleasure: Contemporary art provides a venue for escape from everyday concerns. Whether contemporary art is created to be appreciated or simply for decoration, the idea of creating it provides satisfaction for those yearning for pleasurable experiences.
2. Contemporary Art as Profession: Whether art is made for utilitarian purposes or created for a particular use but appreciated for its aesthetic value, artists earn a living through their work. Creative ideas are never free; these ideas possess value and are deemed more valuable when transformed into tangible artwork, especially if they are commercialized and contain content that upholds one’s culture.
3. Contemporary Art as Commentary: Art is used as a form of communication between the artist and the audience. It answers our need for information through the subjects chosen by the artist.
4. Contemporary Art in Spirituality: Art is created as an expression of one’s faith and spiritual beliefs in the Supreme Being.
5. Contemporary Art as Remembrance: Art serves as a tribute to someone who has gone before us or as a commemoration of events that have shaped our history. Art is created so we can keep a memory of something or someone.
6. Contemporary Art as Self-Expression: Art is used to convey the artist’s ideas, emotions, character, or worldview.
Different Art Forms Found in the Philippines
1. Abstract Expressionism: A painting style in which the artist applies paint in a manner that expresses emotions and feelings spontaneously. The figures may be heavy in lines and color without solid mass.
2. Kinetic Art: A sculpture that moves with the wind or is powered by a machine or electricity.
3. Op Art: Uses lines or images repeatedly to create optical illusions.
4. Performance Art: Combines a variety of media and the human body to execute an artistic theatrical expression before a live audience.
5. Environmental Art: Involves the artistic creation or manipulation of space, such as landscape or architectural design, that may enclose its audience. Earthworks, or art using stones, leaves, trees, grass, or other natural elements, are included in this category.
6. Feminist Art: Emerged from the concerns of female artists expressed through art. They tackle issues of identity, sexuality, gender roles, equality, and the treatment of females in society, among others.
7. Minimalism: Features a stripped-down, pre-fabricated look, free of details, often with a flat surface, but expresses a specific content or statement. An example is electric wire emerging from the wall that coils to form a particular shape.
8. Video Art: Consists of images recorded through video and viewed on television, computer, or projection screen.
9. Graffiti Art: A drawing, inscription, or sketch done hastily on a wall or other surface made to be seen by the public.
10. Street Art: Refers to any visual or creative work displayed in public spaces such as walls, streets, or public buildings.
Characteristics of Street Art
1. Creativity: Artists use various techniques and materials to create eye-catching pieces.
2. Social Commentary: Expressing views on social, political, and cultural issues.
3. Accessibility: Everyone can enjoy it, eliminating barriers between the artist and the audience.
4. Transience: Often temporary due to weather or removal, adding a sense of urgency.
5. Collaboration: Artists collaborate with each other or involve the community, fostering a sense of shared ownership.
Modern street art began in the late 20th century with the rise of graffiti culture. Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat made it popular.
Examples of Street Art
Murals: Large-scale paintings that cover walls or buildings, showing scenes or meaningful messages.
Stencils: Artists spray paint over stencils to create detailed designs or patterns.
Installations: Three-dimensional art using materials like metal, wood, or found objects.
Postmodern Art: Carries modern styles to extreme practices, often expressing ideas through a mix of materials such as found objects welded together.
Body Art: An art form that uses the body as a medium or main material, which can be painted or clothed and used to perform artistic acts in public.
Digital Art: Created with the aid of a computer to produce images or designs composed of bits and bytes. The image can be printed on paper, tarpaulin, or other mediums.