Modern art is confusing sometimes-in form, in colors, and in techniques that break away from traditional notions of beauty and representation. But for the willing mind, modern art is a richness of experience that puts the faces of life into its very presentable form. And this is exactly where you would find the start of understanding and appreciating modern art.
1. Know Its Historical Backdrop Modern art flourished when rapid industrialization, political shocks, and dramatic social changes characterized the late 19th and early 20th centuries. From this changing world, artists broke out from classic techniques, presenting their views in new ways. The knowledge of this background can therefore provide some insight into what the message or mood of the artwork meant. Each movement- Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism, among others-had its definite aims, like the destruction of perspective or the movement for the subconscious.
2. Keep it Emotion, Not Just the Technique This has been something which has come to be a very characteristic aspect of modern art: the emphasis on emotion and experience. It is no longer a question of technique or the way in which it is made, so much as asking yourself how you feel about it. Does it evoke joy, confusion, or melancholy? What kind of mood does the color palette or composition create? Many modern artists have set out to provoke this reaction or provoke thought, and the emotional response of the viewer is indeed a key part of relating to the art.
3. Love the Abstract The single most common reason people detest modern art is that it more often than not refuses to engage in realistic representation. Abstract art is the most confusing. Abstraction, on the other hand, sets artists free to work with form, color, and texture, among others, rather than a literal subject matter. Give up the urge to find a familiar subject matter and allow the shapes, lines, and colors just crash over you and interpret it in your own way.
4. Interpretive Art Modern art is intentionally ambiguous. Unlike classical art, which might be a teller of a tale, modern pieces invite many interpretations. This doesn't mean there's only one way of looking at a piece; in fact, there isn't a "right" way to view modern art. You interpret Banksy to see social commentary in his work or an exploration of form in a Picasso painting – both are valid interpretations. The subjectivity of modern art is part of what makes it so engaging.
5. Research the Artist's Intent Some biographical information on the artist can be excellent for understanding his or her work. Most contemporary artists had influences and backgrounds which are highly reflected in their work. One will always believe that Jackson Pollock's "splattered" paintings reflect some personal spontaneity with feelings buried deep within him, while Andy Warhol attacks consumer culture
6. Attend Museums and Galleries Only by seeing modern art in the flesh will one truly appreciate it; otherwise, in photographs, no aspect of a piece, its texture, or its presence can be captured. Spend time with the work, walk around it, and perceive changes that come about from viewing it from different angles. Many modern art museums provide guides or descriptions of important information about specific works.
Conclusion People misunderstand modern art as if it were about knowing techniques, whereas it is more to do with an open mind and a willingness to become involved with the unexpected. With a focus on emotional impact, and through historical context and multiplicity of interpretations, one can now begin to see modern art for what it is: the best representation of modern life in all its complexity and ambiguity.
