The Work of Modern Art: In Search for the New Meanings

Abstract

The article discusses the characteristics of contemporary art works and the specifics of its interaction with the audience. We demonstrate that contemporary art is not so much a way of reflecting on the world around us, but rather a way of learning about it, as well as a peculiar game (provocation) whose meanings are unknown and closed for discussion. Today it is impossible to provide unambiguous answers to the challenges faced by the art practice of the twenty-first century. Nevertheless, it is necessary to consider topical issues, outline ways to study them, structure groups of facts, and determine methods for their research and description. The priority during this process is to identify the qualitative components of the works of contemporary visual art. To do this, it is necessary to determine the features that distinguish contemporary works from those created at the previous stages of art development. Further research is required for this problem. Here we use as case examples the works of Krasnoyarsk artists Anna Osipova and Alexander Surikov, who combine both classical and actual characteristics.