WHAT materials are now used?
The movement and current era of Contemporary Art that was presented in the art world had permanently made a stance on redefining art. The presentation however, was not the only alteration that caused this revolution to commence. The processes and materials that had undergone to make Contemporary Art had drastically changed. Traditionally, artworks were results of oil paints and charcoal drawings that accentuated artistic technique and originality, but as Contemporary Art advanced throughout society, so did its practice. Artists were beginning to take advantage of the world’s access to technology. An advanced society reflects on an advanced art world, which primarily, means that the processes and materials must be advanced too. When graphic design and illustrating was introduced into the art world it kick-started Contemporary Art into a more modern, innovative, and youthful era. Graphic design and illustrating was a faster, more accessible material to create art. It was independently used and communally created in a portable function, which assisted in the world’s growing technological trends to breed visual communication. Visual communication was a massive outreach that connected the art world and society together; it gave the opportunity for anyone do contribute to the art world by using skills in imaging, spacing, typing, and designing but most importantly, made Contemporary Art more open to personal expression.
During the beginning era of Contemporary Art, Pop Art had just broadcasted the art world with a turning definition in artistic materials and processes. Andy Warhol’s iconic ‘Brillo Box’ in 1964 for example, presented art in the form of a ready-made object. Ready-made objects as materials didn’t stop in the era of Pop Art however; it rapidly grew into Contemporary Art, making it one of the biggest uses of materials in the movement. But like all characteristics in the era of Contemporary Art, materials of ready-made objects expanded. Artists were using recycled trash, books, and discards of food to create art. They branched out into using the medium itself as the artwork, such as canvases, paper, and most influentially, installation. Installation art was one of the biggest alterations that arrived with Contemporary Art. Installations challenged everything about artworks, as the art had challenged the galleries and canvases by being placed off the room instead of on. It was temporary as well, making art’s permanence questioned and redefined.
This change and progression of materials in the art world nonetheless, did not turn away from any original materials. Advancements in technology not only restricted it to graphic designs, ready-made objects, and installation pieces, but also updated the art world’s original materials. Oil paints and charcoal pencils especially, were advanced to the state we know them as today. Oil paints being pre-mixed colours and placed in tubes were an advancement that revolutionised artmaking. Altering these traditional materials to fit the current era and a standard artist’s needs was not just advancement in the art world, but an equally successful one in society. Traditional materials are to this day, still being used in Contemporary Art.