What Art Movement are We in Today?

As an art student I asked myself “What Art Movement are we in today?”.  I was fascinated with the evolution of art and how the movements tied into technological inventions, architectural movements, fashion and popular culture. I wondered how our society currently connects to art, and was there a new movement developing that I would eventually join?

An art movement is a style of art with a specific common philosophy or goal by a group of artists during a period of time. Today’s art movements are becoming apparent. Visual art today has many styles and mini movements happening at once called “Artistic Pluralism” an acceptance of a variety of artistic intentions and styles. They commonly express the individual and the development of a unique perspective.

Technology and Art Movements

Artists were influenced by the developments in technologies of their era. We can see the connections between the technological developments and the choices that renowned artists made, creating their styles.  Through Impressionism, Monet pushed us beyond realism. He saw realist paintings as redundant after the invention of photography. He instead depicted his immediate impressions, capturing how light and shadow effect our impression on a subject. Picasso took this further and depicted all sides and shapes of reality at once with Cubism. This movement inspired architects, furniture makers and fashion designers. The new freedoms invented by technologies of the industrial revolution opened doors and gave access to innovations in art. Picasso did not start the industrial revolution but he and other artists of the time were attentive to developments, and reflected the changing times in their art.

Technology and Art Movements Today

Today there are rapid developments in technology changing our social interactions and the visual landscape through Digital Art. These developments are culminating in a culture of individuality and an appreciation of unique perspective. Artists are experimenting with technology striving to develop new techniques and to share their individuality. Art is fast paced and real today with many styles and mini movements. It is about the individual and their unique perspective. Artists are encouraged to reflect, discover and invent new artistic expressions based on what has already been discovered by master artists. This new evolution allows artists to play with media and develop new art forms. Digital and commercial art are an integral part of the art movement we are in today.

Current Social Issues and Art Movements Today

Technology has brought us greater communication between social groups and over boarders into different cultures but has limited personal interactions. Access and information is no longer prohibited. We are aware of the environmental consequences of our new society through the fast paced exchange of information. In the latter part of the 20th century social injustice was a focus of artistic expression. Cultures were open to our awareness, humanitarian needs and environmental issues in the world gave voice to a generation of Activist Art. Artists used performance art, happenings, graffiti, expressionism and contemporary art as their activist mediums.

Artistic activism remains, but our focus as a society is turning toward the individual perspective. We see the individual expressing themselves in the Social Art Movement. Visual imagery is used to communicate quickly and effectively. Sparse phrases are sent over text messaging and communities are based in online social groups and games. The promotion of the individual through media images like the “Selfy”. A photo one takes of oneself in a way that represents personality and profession. Social Art is the celebrity of the individual. These social media images have turned into forms of expression. It occasionally reflects the misguided judgment of an individual. Even the dramatically misguided are creating a new art forms with their self portraits.

Self Expression and Finding the Art Movements of Today

Struggling to understand what Art Movement we are in today I looked to develop my own style based on what I learned from master painters such as Monet and Van Gogh. The design elements are a key focus in my paintings, looking to realistically depict a scene from nature but with the qualities of abstract design. Abstract Realism is one of the new movements in art today. I use my painterly brushwork to achieve this style but there are multiple medias used in abstract realism.

I was not aware at the time I was developing my art that many artists were also attempting to develop their own style for the same reasons, with other masters as their influence. This wealth of influence from art history, and a cultural and social need for individuals to differentiate themselves, is how Art Pluralism developed.