21st Century Art Indroduction

21st Century art is contemporary art produced at the present period in time. Contemporary art includes, and develops from, postmodern art, which is itself a descendant to Modern art. The early 1960s is considered as marking the change-over from Modern to Contemporary; although it's true to say that the decade included both types. Since the early 20th century, some artists have turned away from realistic representation and the depiction of the human figure, and have moved increasingly towards abstraction. This notion of art as an event emerged out of the movement called abstract expressionism, which greatly influenced the art movements that followed. Contemporary artists working within the postmodern movement reject the concept of mainstream art and embrace the acceptance of a variety of artistic intentions and styles. Whether influenced by or grounded in performance art, pop art, Minimalism, conceptual art, or video, contemporary artists pull from an infinite variety of materials, sources, and styles to create art.
Today's artists work in and respond to a global environment that is culturally diverse, technologically advancing, and multifaceted. The work of contemporary artists is a dynamic combination of materials, methods, concepts, and subjects that challenges traditional boundaries and defies easy definition. Contemporary artists often reflect and comment on modern-day society. Viewers consider whether this art is ‘challenging’ or ‘interesting.’ Contemporary artists may question traditional ideas of how art is defined, what constitutes art, and how art is made, while creating a dialogue with, and in some cases rejecting, the styles and movements that came before them.