Themes of Contemporary Art Visual Art after 1980

by Robertson, Jean; McDaniel, Craig

• ISBN13: 9780195367577
• ISBN10: 019536757X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-03-13
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

A compact and accessible introduction to recent contemporary art history, Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980 , Second Edition, focuses on seven important themes that have recurred in art over the past few decades: identity, the body, time, place, language, science, andspirituality. The opening chapter provides a concise overview of the period, analyzing how five key changes (the rise of new media, a growing awareness of diversity, globalization, the influence of theory, and interactions with everyday visual culture) have resulted in an art world with dramaticallyexpanded boundaries. The remaining seven chapters each feature an introduction to one thematic topic; a brief look at historical influences; a detailed analysis of how contemporary artists have responded to and embodied aspects of the theme in specific works; and two profiles of artists who haveextensively explored aspects of the theme in their work. The book's thematic organization encourages students, gallery goers, and other readers to think actively and critically about the ideas expressed in the artwork instead of simply memorizing "who, what, when, and where."Themes of Contemporary Art , Second Edition, features more than 125 vivid illustrations (including 21 in color) that exemplify a wide variety of materials, techniques, theoretical viewpoints, and stylistic approaches from artists of diverse ethnic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. It alsoincludes an updated timeline that situates art within the context of the time it was created.

Author Biography

Jean Robertson is Professor of Art History and Craig McDaniel is Associate Dean and Professor of Fine Art, both at Herron School of Art and Design, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis. They are coauthors of Painting as a Language: Materials, Technique, Form, Content (2000).

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction

Themes of Contemporary Art: What, Why, and How Format of the Book

The Art World Expands

Overview of History and Art History: 1980-2008

Old Media Thrive, New Media Make Waves

The Art World Goes Global Theory Waxes and Wanes

Art Meets Contemporary Culture Post Studio Art Practice

Time

Time and Art History Representing time

Embodying time Changing Views of Time Changing Views of the Past

Exhibits about Time Exploring the Structure of Time Fracturing time

Real time Changing rhythm Exploring endlessness

Revisiting the Past Recovering history

Reshuffling the past Reframing the present Commemorating the Past

Profile #1: Brian Tolle

Profile #2: Cornelia Parker

Place

Places Have Meanings Places

Have Value Exhibits about Place History's

Influence (Most) places exist in space

The work of art exists in a place Looking at Places

Looking Out For Places Constructing (and Deconstructing)

Artificial Places Placeless Spaces What's Public?

What's Private?

In-Between Places

Profile #1: Janet Cardiff

Profile #2: Unilever Series at Tate Modern

Identity

Identity in Art History Identity is Communal or Relational Social and cultural identities

Identity politics

Identity is Constructed Essentialism

Difference Identity is Not Fixed

Sexual Identity is Diverse Hybridity Reinventing Identities

Profile #1: Jaune Quick-to-See Smith

Profile #2: Shirin Neshat

The Body

Past Figurative Art A New Spin on the Body

The body is a battleground

The body is a sign People are bodies

The Body Beautiful Different bodies

Body parts Mortal Bodies Sexual Bodies

The gaze Sexual pleasure and desire Sex and violence Post-Human Bodies

Profile #1: Renee Cox

Profile #2: Zhang Huan

Language

Words with Art: A History Art with Words

A History Recent Theories of Language Reasons for Using Language Exhibitions and Publications

Concerning Language in Art Language Makes Meaning Language Takes

Form Transparency and translucency Spatiality and physicality

Books made by artists Art made with books

Wielding the Power of Language Confronting the Challenge of Translation

Using Text in the Information Age

Profile #1: Ken Aptekar

Profile #2: Nina Katchadourian

Science

What is Science?

The Scientific Impulse

The Scientific Method Artists as Amateur Scientists

Artists Adopt Scientific Methods and Materials

Creole Technologies BioArt Science and Art: Intertwined Through History

The Ideology of Science Is Science Running Amok?

Activist Art Responds Recent Exhibits about science and art

The Visual Culture of Science Scientific imaging and art Deconstructing the visual culture of science Scientific displays

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