Unit 10: Global Contemporary (1980 CE–Present) — Comprehensive Study Guide

Global Contemporary Art

Art that moves away from Eurocentric focus, starting around 1980, influenced by globalization, digital revolution, and postmodernism.

Globalization

The acceleration of cultural exchange, migration, and internet connectivity creating an interconnected art world.

Postmodernism

A rejection of Modernism's purity, embracing pluralism, irony, parody, and the blending of high and low culture.

Identity Politics

Art as a means to explore race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and ethnicity.

New Media & Materials

The incorporation of video, computers, and unconventional materials (e.g., blood, food) into art.

Institutional Critique

Questioning the role of museums and galleries in establishing value and meaning.

Deconstructivism

An architectural movement characterized by fragmentation and non-rectilinear shapes.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao

Designed by Frank Gehry in 1997, this museum is a contemporary art space that utilizes titanium and glass.

The 'Bilbao Effect'

The use of iconic architecture to revitalize a declining urban area.

MAXXI National Museum

Designed by Zaha Hadid in 2009, this museum embodies movement and flow with its curvilinear architecture.

Neo-Expressionism

An art movement characterized by aggressive brushwork, mixed media, and raw emotional content.

Horn Players

A triptych by Jean-Michel Basquiat featuring jazz legends, highlighting issues of race and art status.

Darkytown Rebellion

A work by Kara Walker using silhouettes to subvert historical representations of violence and race.

The Swing (after Fragonard)

Yinka Shonibare's headless mannequin installation reflecting on themes of post-colonial identity.

Trade (Gifts for Trading Land with White People)

A mixed media artwork by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith critiquing the commodification of Native American identity.

Untitled #228

A photograph by Cindy Sherman exploring the male gaze and women's representation in art history.

Rebellious Silence

A work by Shirin Neshat that uses ink on photograph to examine Iranian women's identity post-revolution.

Preying Mantra

A mixed media piece by Wangechi Mutu, exploring the exoticization of the African female body.

The Gates

An ephemeral installation by Christo and Jeanne-Claude using saffron fabric in Central Park.

Shibboleth

Doris Salcedo's installation symbolizing the immigrant experience and societal cracks; represents racism.

Kui Hua Zi (Sunflower Seeds)

Ai Weiwei's art installation with porcelain seeds reflecting labor and consumerism in China.

Electronic Superhighway

A 1995 video installation by Nam June Paik foreseeing the impact of the internet on society.

The Crossing

A video art piece by Bill Viola illustrating the cycle of destruction and creation through fire and water.

Summer Trees

A work by Song Su-nam using traditional Korean ink techniques to explore post-colonial identity.

Old Man’s Cloth

El Anatsui's textile-like artworks made of bottle caps exploring the legacy of slavery and trade.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

A minimalist memorial by Maya Lin, symbolizing the scars of war through its design.

Androgyne III

A piece by Magdalena Abakanowicz reflecting on dehumanization through headless figures.

A Book from the Sky

Xu Bing's installation critiquing political propaganda using fake Chinese characters.

Pink Panther

Jeff Koons' porcelain sculpture juxtaposing high art with low culture representations.

Dancing at the Louvre

Faith Ringgold's story quilt that rewrites art history to include black women.

En la Barberia no se Llora

Pepón Osorio's installation challenging machismo in Latino culture.

Pisupo Lua Afe

Michel Tuffery's corn beef tin bull critiquing ecology and obesity in the Pacific.

Pure Land

A digital photography work by Mariko Mori merging consumerism and Buddhism.

Lying with the Wolf

Kiki Smith's feminist interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood reflecting power dynamics.

Stadia II

An abstract piece by Julie Mehretu layering blueprints and logos representing globalized energy.

Mistake about Modern vs. Contemporary

Confusing 'Modern Art' (1960s-1970s) with 'Contemporary Art' which pertains to post-1980 works.

Contextualizing 'Global'

Understanding artworks in the context of global trade and interactions, not just geographic origin.

Materials Matter

Recognizing the significance of the medium used in contemporary artworks as part of the message.

Misidentifying Form

Correctly identifying the style of works like Guggenheim Bilbao as Deconstructivism, not International Style.

Ai Weiwei's Seeds Materials

Knowing Ai Weiwei's sunflower seeds are made of porcelain, not real seeds, vital to their meaning.

Function of Institutional Critique

Understanding how artists critique the roles of institutions in valuing and interpreting art.

Impact of Globalization

The transformative influence of cultural exchange and migration on contemporary artistic expression.

Role of Feminist Art

The significance of feminist perspectives in addressing and redefining gender roles in art.

Connection of Art and Politics

Recognizing the interplay between artistic expression and political critique in contemporary art.