Modern: Modern Ways Of Art

We do all agree that art is extremely diverse these days. On the one hand, art works can be abstract, vibrant, vivid and extremely colourful. On the other hand, art can be minimal, calm; almost “reduced” to its essentials so to say. From colourful abstract painting, minimalistic art to urban street art, today’s modern art scene comprises everything.

Less is more. That is what the art movement Minimalism, also known as minimal art, is all about.
Emerged in the 1960s, the trend is described as “a wave of new influences and rediscovered styles (which) led younger artists to question conventional boundaries between various media“.  Further, “Minimalism favored the cool over the “dramatic”: their sculptures were frequently fabricated from industrial materials and emphasized anonymity over the expressive excess of Abstract Expressionism”.
Over the years, minimal art flourished, spread across Europe and America and was on its peak by the end of the 70s.

Concrete Block by Donald Judd

Three L Beams by Robert Morris (1965)

Speaking of Minimalism and abstract painting in 2016, The Horsebox Gallery introduces the expressive paintings and drawings of minimal Dutch artist Arjan Janssen.
Born in Eindhoven in the south of the Netherlands, abstract painter Arjan Janssen is “the creator of incredibly striking, minimal unique canvases. With a background in art and philosophy, Janssen’s abstract work, with reduced elements, is always vertically oriented, keeping it grounded”.
Including private collections not only in the Netherlands but also in Belgium, Germany, France, Australia and Switzerland, Janssen’s art fascinates and thrills the crowds; without flashy colours.

© THE HORSEBOX GALLERY

A completely different approach to art show artists who practice experimental art or urban art.
In contrast to minimal art, both experimental art and urban art involve different techniques when it comes to creating art works.

The French abstract painter Elisabeth Roche Alazet for instance creates paintings which do not only show impressive colours but also her technique itself also reflects spontaneity and therefore, kind of expresses the artist’s emotions in the actual creative process. “I decide to get into the paint on canvas. In an abstract style, a hitherto unknown universe for me, giving me a great freedom of expression and movements”. The video below gives a little insight into the way the painter creates her art.

When talking about modern ways of art, urban art is definitely another art phenomenon that is worth mentioning. In short, urban art is a style of art practised by artists who are passionate about cities and urban life. Street art, graffiti and other visual art forms arising in urban areas fall into this category.
When it comes to urban art, the young German duo 44flavours is worth mentioning due to their impressive and diverse work.

Sebastian Bagge and Julio Rölle are the two creative heads behind 44flavours and an example of true experts in this particular field of art.

These days, modern art is diverse and has many different shapes and forms.
Today’s art scene is all about diversity and that is what creativity keeps flowing!