Contemporary Art: Forms, Techniques & Performance Practice

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering definitions, characteristics, and categories of contemporary visual, performing, and literary arts, along with major modern art techniques and performance approaches.

How is Contemporary Art commonly defined in terms of time period?

Art produced in the second half of the 20th century or in the 21st century, often by living artists.

What is the key characteristic that unifies Contemporary Art?

Diversity in material, form, subject matter, and even time periods.

Name the three main areas of Contemporary Art.

Visual Art, Performing/Performance Art, Literary Art.

What distinguishes Visual Arts from other art areas?

They are art forms created primarily for visual perception.

What is the basic description of Painting?

Applying pigment, color, or other medium to a solid surface.

Define Sculpture in contemporary contexts.

Creating two- or three-dimensional forms by carving, casting, or assembling materials.

What does Architecture encompass in art terms?

Planning, designing, and constructing buildings or other structures.

Explain Pottery and Molding.

Forming clay or ceramic objects and firing them to harden and strengthen.

What materials are combined to make Papier-mâché?

Paper pieces or pulp bound with an adhesive like glue or starch.

How is a Mosaic created?

By arranging small colored pieces of stone, tile, or glass into patterns or pictures.

What is a Collage?

Art made by sticking varied materials (photos, paper, fabric) onto a backing.

Describe Graphic Arts.

Visual expressions that rely on line or tone more than color, often two-dimensional.

Which disciplines fall under Design and Fashion Arts?

Clothing, footwear, accessories, hairstyle, and makeup design.

What are Culinary Arts within Contemporary Art?

The art of cuisine and food plating for visual appeal and market value.

Define Landscaping in an artistic sense.

Artistic arrangement of plants and terrain to create visually pleasing gardens.

What is Digital/New Media Art?

Art that uses digital technology—e.g., computer graphics, VR, interactive art, 3D printing.

How is a photographic image produced?

By recording light on an image sensor or light-sensitive film.

What creates the illusion of movement in Film?

A series of still images or edited video shots shown in rapid sequence.

What is a Vlog?

A video blog that combines video content with text, images, and metadata online.

List the seven major modern art techniques highlighted by the lecture.

Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Abstraction, Cubism, Surrealism.

What does Realism aim to portray?

Typical contemporary people and situations with truthful accuracy, including unpleasant aspects.

State a hallmark of Impressionism.

Small, visible brush strokes emphasizing changing light and ordinary subjects.

What is the core idea of Expressionism?

Presenting the world from a subjective viewpoint to evoke emotional responses.

How is Fauvism visually recognized?

Wild brushwork and strident colors with simplified, abstracted subjects.

Describe Abstraction in simple terms.

Focusing on the essence of a subject instead of literal visible details.

What makes Cubism unique in depiction?

Showing multiple viewpoints and using geometric reduction of natural forms.

What feeling does Surrealism attempt to evoke?

Dream-like, illogical imagery that surprises and inspires imagination.

Define Performing Arts.

Arts that utilize the human body and voice for expression.

What are the primary components of Music as a performing art?

Arrangement of sounds—vocal or instrumental—to create form, harmony, melody, and rhythm.

Give a concise definition of Dance.

Sequences of purposeful or improvised movement with aesthetic or symbolic value, often to music.

What is Theatre in the context of performing arts?

Live performers enact real or imagined events before an audience.

Name three short-form theatrical performance types.

Skits/sketch comedy, role play, and tableau.

How does Pantomime convey meaning?

Through gestures and movements, often accompanied by music and comedy.

Differentiate among musical opera and musical play.

Opera is fully set to music for singers and orchestra; musical play combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance.

What is Shadow Play?

Storytelling using puppets or actors’ shadows projected onto a translucent screen.

Explain the Retrospective approach in performance practice.

Themes inspired by past events, often displaying an artist’s earlier works.

What does the Introspective approach encourage?

Reflection on one’s own thoughts and feelings through artistic themes.

Define Social Realism as an artistic approach.

Highlighting socio-political conditions and class struggles to draw public attention.

What is an Allegorical approach in art?

Using characters or events as symbols to convey broader messages.

What categorizes Poetry within Literary Arts?

Intense expression of feelings and ideas using rhythm and distinctive style.

How is a Short Story or Novel defined in the notes?

A printed narrative about imaginary characters and events.

Describe Comics/Sequential Art.

Arranging images and words in sequence to tell a story or present an idea.

Which visual art technique reduces subjects to dominant colors and shapes?

Abstraction.

Why is movement crucial in Impressionist paintings?

It reflects human perception of fleeting moments and changing light.

What is the goal of contemporary Culinary Arts in plating?

Enticing visual appeal that adds market value to food.

In performance practice, which approach metaphorically examines society through symbolic stories?

Allegorical approach.

State one key difference between Skit and Role Play.

A skit is a scripted humorous scene; role play involves participants improvising characters’ actions.