Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980

by Jean Robertson, Jean Robertson

Themes of Contemporary Visual Art after 1980 is a unique introduction to several important themes that have recurred in art over the past few decades. Examining visual art from 1980 to the present, it takes an intriguing and accessible approach that motivates students and other readers to
think actively about and discuss contemporary art--what it means and how it means what it does. The opening chapter provides a concise overview of the period, analyzing how four key changes (the rise of new media, a growing awareness of diversity, the influence of theory, and interactions with
everyday visual culture) have resulted in an art world with dramatically expanded boundaries. Reflecting the paradigm shift from a formalist way of teaching studio art to more varied and open-ended concepts, the remaining six chapters each deal with a key theme--time, place, the body, language,
identity, and spirituality. Each chapter features an introduction to the thematic topic; a brief look at historical precedents and influences; a detailed analysis of how contemporary artists have responded to and embodied aspects of the theme in specific works; and an in-depth and fascinating
profile of an artist who has extensively explored aspects of the theme in his or her work.
Themes of Contemporary Visual Art after 1980 shows how art can be interpreted from several different techniques and materials, historical circumstances, aesthetic qualities, theoretical issues, and an artist's ideas and intentions. Writing in a lucid and engaging style, the
authors skillfully reveal the multiple levels of meaning in artworks, drawing connections between contemporary art, art of the past, and everyday existence. The volume is enhanced by 87 illustrations--19 in full color--that demonstrate an immense variety of materials, subjects, and styles. These
well-chosen examples will help readers learn to critically describe, interpret, and evaluate contemporary visual art. A bibliography and a timeline that situates contemporary art in the context of major events in world history, art, and popular culture are also included. An ideal core text for
courses in contemporary art history, Themes of Contemporary Visual Art after 1980 can also be used as a supplement in modern art, art appreciation, art criticism/theory, and studio art courses.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Reference

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jimmy Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A university textbook in my case, but it was really interesting actually. Brought a new perspective to my art history class, rather than just showing a lot of art pieces it talked about the themes the art pieces in general from 1980 and forward has embraced and worked with.

[Cory Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty good coverage of current art works. This was the text used for my Contemporary Art class at Mesa College, a local community college in San Diego. It covers a variety of themes including identity, the body, place, memory, language, science, and spirituality. All in all, it's a broad view of the different kinds of art that current contemporary artists are working on. The only part that I don't get is the section on science art. For me, that's a bunch of bull. "Hey, look at this tree that fell down! Hey, look at the curly glass tubes that I hooked up to these beakers and Erlynmeyer flasks. Hey, look at how I am an artist and I don't understand how science works!" WTF? Anyway, I get how art can help with communication and with visual presentations of data, but I disagree that there is or should ever be any nexus between the two fields other than that. imho. I would have never understood how two clocks next to each other were a reflection of a lost love, but once you hear the story you get how conceptual art works. Small concepts are used to communicate large concepts and ideas.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a Thesis art class at Metropolitan State University. For a pretty dense (446 pages) textbook it wasn't bad. I am at the point in my education that I am starting to understand more and more art and this book breaks art down into different interesting chapters: It starts with The Art World Expands then goes into Identity, The Body, Time, Memory, Place, Language, Science and finally Spirituality. So, this was a different take on how many textbooks might be formatted. It worked well for our class because we were divided in groups to do presentations on specific chapters. These chapters were also helpful in that many contemporary artists are doing art on subjects that deal with the issues discussed in the chapters. The only reason I didn't give it 4 starts is because it couldn't possibly show all the images of art it could (even though it did show quite a bit). That may not be so fair of a rating because I also don't like humongous tomes either. This was written at an adult level but without the pretentiousness I have seen in some textbooks.

[julez · Rating 4 out of 5]

read for my “art of the last 25 years” class and i honestly enjoyed how it was organized by themes such as “place,” “science,” “spirituality,” etc. helped provide me with foundational language to look at and discuss contemporary art as a total newbie.

[sang ooh · Rating 5 out of 5]

当代艺术的主题：1980年代以来的视觉艺术
的确是好的解读，但我怀疑我无法通过这样的解读领会艺术的现场与奥秘。

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contemporary Art is a moving banner, this book does a great job at incorporating the themes rather than focusing on the time line. The featured artists have been carefully selected, and though some of the work created has been controversial those are not the selections featured here.

[Steven Felicelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book for someone who wants to get caught up - maybe a little too much common knowledge from the editors, though (90 % of what they write would occur to you if you thought about it - great textbook, but not a lot of Art Theory insight therein)

[Yusuf · Rating 2 out of 5]

more factual less artsy

[Caolinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book, as others have said, to be a little dry and also a little too fluffy and redundant in parts. On the other hand, the book was organized well and fairly clearly.

[Mills College Library]

709.045 R6513 2005