What is global contemporary art?
Contemporary art on a global scale is defined by a departure from traditional ideas of art, and it is backed by technological advancements and an increasing consciousness of global issues.
The globalization of the arts refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world's art and cultural communities. This process has been facilitated by advancements in technology, transportation, and communication, which have made it easier for artists, curators, collectors, and audiences to connect with each other across geographical and cultural boundaries. Here are some ways in which the arts have become globalized:
Cross-cultural exchange: The globalization of the arts has led to a greater exchange of artistic ideas, styles, and techniques across cultures. Artists are now more likely to incorporate elements from different cultures into their work, resulting in hybrid art forms that reflect the diversity of the global community.
International art fairs and exhibitions: International art fairs and exhibitions provide a platform for artists, curators, and collectors from around the world to showcase their work and network with each other. Major events such as Art Basel, Frieze, and the Venice Biennale attract thousands of visitors and generate millions of dollars in sales each year.
Digital media: Digital media has made it easier for artists to share their work with a global audience. Platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Vimeo have enabled artists to promote their work and build their fan base without the need for traditional art institutions or galleries.
Art education: The globalization of the arts has also impacted art education. Students are now exposed to a wider range of artistic traditions and techniques from around the world, and institutions are increasingly offering courses that focus on global art history and contemporary art practices.
Cultural diplomacy: The arts have become a tool for cultural diplomacy, with governments and cultural institutions using art exhibitions, festivals, and performances to promote their countries' cultural heritage and identity, and to foster cross-cultural understanding.
Jeff Koons who has been linked with pop art, conceptual art and minimalism. His use of themes and subjects from popular culture (such as toys, ornaments and advertising) is characteristic of pop art. However, Koons's work also has characteristics that portray minimalist art. A good example of this is Koons’ art piece Balloon Dogs, is a perfect depiction of what the globalization of art is through the use of minimalist and contemporary art by using blue porcelain to create this gigantic 2 decade old masterpiece that is 15 inches tall as well.
Another type of art made by these artists is the Bouquet of Tulips which essentially was intended as a gift to the city of Paris, in remembrance of the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place there in 2015 and 2016.
Anselm Kiefer who was born 8th of March 1945 is a German painter and sculptor. One of his works is, Aschenblume, 1983-97 which is constituted by a determined willingness to bring to light his culture's dark past, and unrealised potential of works that are often done on a large scale that is well suited to the subjects. It is also characteristic of his work to find signatures and names of people of historical importance, legendary figures or historical places. This is a perfect example of globalization through the use of culture crossing and allowing for artists to have a platform for their work. This monumental work that took the artist 14 years to complete explores the destruction of war, rebirth, and cultural responsibility. Which is beautifully shown using oil, clay, acrylic paint, ash, earth and dried sunflower.
These are some of his other works:
These paintings focus on the development of Kiefer’s oeuvre encompassing paintings, sculptures, and installations. Intimately linked to German history which are shown in his art exhibit Essence.
Lastly, Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American artist who rose to success during the 1980s as part of the Neo-expressionism movement. His art piece, Untitled (History of the Black People), also referred to as The Nile, is a reference to Ancient Egypt and Southern United States culture to critique the Western society's understanding of history and its forgetfulness towards slavery.
Another art piece that was made by him was this painting that was in his book the Basquiat which is basically a compilation of his artworks.
In conclusion, the globalization of the arts has led to a more interconnected and diverse global art community, with artists, curators, and collectors from around the world collaborating and exchanging ideas. However, it has also raised questions about cultural appropriation, the commodification of art, and the impact of globalization on local artistic traditions.
references:
https://artipelag.se/en/art-museum/previous-exhibitions/anselm-kiefer-essence-eksistence/
https://www.themodern.org/program/anselm-kiefer-slow-art-virtual
https://www.taschen.com/en/books/art/01141/jean-michel-basquiat
I like that you talked about Basquiat, I watched an Andy Warhol documentary on Netflix and it barely touched the relationship that both artists had. I also have been seeing a video going around on social media about a broken "Ballon Dog" and some people in the comments were relieved and were talking about "one ballon dog less". Which made me very curious about why so many people dislike the balloon dogs. I personally really like the Bouquet of Tulips, I think it is happy and has a little bit of reminiscence of a bouncy house, colorful and innocent.
ReplyDeleteLately, there has been a trend on social media where designers are using Inflated text or elements in their poster designs, and I see a clear influence of Anselm Kiefer and Anish Kapoor on the style.
This was a highly informative blog post! The amount of information is impressive, and well-organized! I really liked the explanation at the beginning that helped the reader understand what exactly globalization was in terms of art. Everything was very in-depth! It was rather fascinating looking at just how different the styles of works that fall under the category of contemporary art can be, ranging from large sculptures to collage-esque paintings. It makes me wonder if there should be more specific style categories instead of just the blanket term contemporary, but then again, contemporary by definition encompasses all things modern.
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