Until the 20th century, art was almost entirely representational. That is, art consisted of drawings, paintings, and sculptures that were intended to represent some aspect of the physical world -- people, animals, landscapes, or common objects. Around the beginning of the 20th century, artists began to become more free with their representations, as in the movements of Expressionism and, later, Cubism.

However, in the years before the first World War, a new kind of artistic movement began. This was Abstract Art. Wassily Kandinsky was the first artist to use it. This first wave of abstraction included the Dada movement.

The Surrealist movement was developed during the time in between the two world wars. This movement tried to remove representation from art or to destroy art, but to give a voice to the unconscious and the world of dreams.

Marcel Duchamp started his career as a painter and created some very original work in the Cubist style, his “ Nude Descending

Staircase “ is one of his most famous paintings…

In 1912 Marcel decided to stop painting. He wanted to create a new kind of art, one which would engage the mind and make people think. He asked the question:

“ CAN YOU MAKE WORKS OF ART WHICH ARE NOT “ OF “ ART ?

This was the beginning of conceptual art

In 1917 Marcel sent a ready made urinal as a work for an exhibition as he wanted to shock and confuse the judges who chose work for the show, he signed it R.Mutt which was the name of the firm that made it. It caused a scandal and was accidentally “mislaid” during the exhibition. At this time, no one understood what Marcel was trying to do by claiming that a ready made article could be art: now, it is common place.

Marcel Duchamp made people question the concept of “ What is Art ? “

Conceptual ArtistsThese artists focus on what their work is about, as well as how it looks. They concentrate on how to explain their ideas or concepts

to the visitor by using visual clues.

Conceptual Art emerged as an art movement in the 1960s.

It owed much to the work of Marcel Duchamp

Mark Wallinger Joseph Beuys

Contemporary ArtContemporary means belonging to the present day. A contemporary artists means an artist

who is alive today and who makes works of art to show in galleries and public spaces at the moment. It often takes a while to look at contemporary visual art: you need to think about it,

to understand and enjoy it.

Sarah Lucas

David Mach

Chapman Brothers

There is never just one interpretation of a work of art. Your opinions and reactions are as valid as a critic's,

especially if you look carefully and think about what you see ( and feel ). Ask yourself questions and try to

imagine why artist's made the choices they did. Learning about the artist and the context in which the work was

produced can also help in your appreciation.

Art is not always pretty to look at, or easy to understand but it can be

interesting. Figuring out what makes it interesting to you is the key to enjoying

modern and contemporary art.