Modern art began in the late 19th century after Impressionism and includes styles like Cubism, Minimalism, and Abstract Expressionism. It broke from traditional realistic depictions and allowed more freedom of expression. World Wars I and II exposed American artists to European styles and helped modern art gain popularity in the US. Artists like Jackson Pollock and Robert Rauschenberg used new techniques like dripping paint and incorporating found objects. Modern art continues to evolve as artists find new ways to comment on and interpret the modern world.

1. Madeline Schmidt<br />Modern American and European Art<br />At the Contemporary art museum in Chicago you can go and see piece of art work that range from neon signs on a giant wall to old rock records glued to the floor. Modern art can be in any form, any color, and any size. It is also not limited to just one medium. Modern art shows more of the modern 20th century culture in it. With the culture always changing, modern art is always involving something new because there is no wrong or right way to depict modern art.<br />Modern art began roughly after the Impressionist time period, late 19th century. Abstract art, Cubism, and Minimalism are seen predominately in the Modern art movement. Pablo Picasso and Hugo Ball are some of the founders of modern art (Allbuyart.com). Modern art consists on many “ism’s” and were developed from the early art techniques and modern art was a way to break away from the traditional ways of composing art. Modern art allowed more room for the artist to express their feelings because Modern art did not have to be realistic or in correct proportions. With artists having the freedom and the drive to express themselves more, the Modern art scene began at a rapid pace.<br />World War I and II were really when American Modern art took off and gained its popularity. Due to the wars many modern artists from Europe were fleeing to America thus bringing their styles and ideas. Abstract Expressionism was the first new form of vigorous Modern art in America. Modern art was introduced at the Armory Art show in New York in 1913. It profiled modern European artists such as Van Gogh and new styles such as Cubism. The show traveled around the U.S. and attracted many visitors. The show opened the eyes to future American artists.<br />Jackson Pollock helped expose the newly formed Abstract Expressionism in America. Pollock would not set up his canvas like every other typical artist. He would lay his canvas on the floor and drip paint to create his well known abstract pieces. He would also switch out paint brushes for sticks or knives. His art was criticized for being “messy.” His abstract pieces were “all-over style” which simply meant that they had no composition and had no relation between parts. Pollock in 1947 created his works that were said to be based off of Native American myths. Even though his works don’t specifically show a myth through the colors and expressions we can see in the art that Pollock was interpreting what he saw in his mind onto a canvas.<br />In the Modern art era we begin to see mixed media works becoming prevalent. Robert Rauschenberg helped popularize mixed media art. He began in the 1950s by incorporating three-dimensional pieces such as Coca-Cola bottle caps and magazine clippings into his art work. He wanted to express movement in his art work and by that he included bike tires and car tires into some of his pieces. Rauschenberg helped link the first American Modern artists to the present day Modern artists.<br />In Europe, the Modern art movement came after the Impressionist movement. It differed from American art in the fact that it slowly moved from ideal depictions of things to the abstract view of an image. The art in Europe was either praised or criticized. Arthur Giardelli from London would incorporate items found on the beach along with paper to emphasize his love of rhythm and the sea. The Modern art era began to depict, in a sense, reality. Artwork no longer had to show perfection. Modern art was taken in by collectors during WWII and was sent to America to be viewed.<br />The old depiction of art in America and mainly Europe was perfection. Composition had to be right, colors had to be accurate, proportions and skin tones had to be just right, and the images were not abstract or obscure. Modern art opened a new freedom for artists because they could now express the non literal sense of what they saw. They focused more on colors and shapes and used modern day graphics in their work. Modern art allowed artists to use a whole new range of media. Photography, mixed media projects, sculptures, and other objects were now being commonly seen in the art exhibits. Breaking away from the accuracy of the old art allowed people to look at art from new perspectives, to try and figure out why the artist painted the picture like they did. <br />Another aspect in modern art is history. In Asian Modern art they greatly involve their history in their work. They manipulate old photos or incorporate sacred symbols into their art. Artist James Lawrence Ardeña would use modern day products and laborer’s shoes to show how the past racism helped produce the everyday products used. Asian art is only different from Western art thru its cultural aspects. <br />Modern art is consistently changing. Artists are constantly finding new materials to incorporate into their art work. Current world affairs are always being incorporated into art and with photography being considered Modern art we can see what the artist really wants to capture from their culture. Modern art has such a wide range of possibilities which allows the artist to literally or figuratively express their imagination. Also, with the changing time artists may need to use whatever is around their house for art supplies but can make some form of art in the Modern art movement.<br />Artist’s Name: Jackson Pollock Title of Work: ConvergenceGenre: Abstract ExpressionismYear of the Work: 1956Country: AmericaSize of Work: 93 ½ x 155 inchesMedium: Oil on CanvasArtist’s Name: Robert Rauschenberg Title of Work: EstateGenre: Abstract ExpressionismYear of the Work: 1963Country: AmericaSize of Work: N/AMedium: oil and silkscreened ink on canvas<br />Artist’s Name: Arthur Giardelli Title of Work: CarmarthenbayIIGenre: Abstract ExpressionismYear of the Work: 1957Country: London, EnglandSize of Work: 92x45cmMedium: Mixed Media<br />Jackson Pollock’s abstract pieces are by far some of my favorite artworks to look at. I like that in the Painting there is no particular image and you can take whatever image you want from it. I remember in grade school we learned about Jackson Pollock and got to drip paint on a giant piece of paper to make a piece just like Convergence. I like the painting because to me it seems busy. With the bright colors and swirling of paints is keeps my eyes moving. When Pollock used black and white I felt it made the orange and yellow stick out more. I believe Pollock stood over a canvas, on a ladder, and dripped the paint from his brushes or their containers. If I could rename the piece of art I would name it RCT. The title I want to give it has no relation to the painting rather than it has meaning to me personally. The painting strongly reminds me of the movie, The Science of Sleep. The Movie is about this man named Stephane, from France, who has a hard time separating his dreams from his real life problems. It is a movie that is very, for lack of a better word, trippy. Colors in the movie are constantly being swirled and jumbled around and the movie constantly has your mind thinking, like the painting. This is a piece of art I would definitely hang in my room because my room is full of abstract art pieces. Overall, I would give Pollock an A on this painting if I had to grade his work. I would give him an A because the work has good use of color and movement.<br />Works Cited <br />\"
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MODERNISM.\"
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What is \"
Modern\"
Art?\"
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