These essays examine the transformation and expansion of the field of painting in relation to the more general lines of development in culture and visuality. The book is divided into five parts, with each of them pursuing a distinct line of inquiry.

"Contemporary art in the early twenty-first century is often discussed as though it were a radically new phenomenon unmoored from history. Yet all works of art were once contemporary to the artist and culture that produced them. In What Was Contemporary Art? Richard Meyer reclaims the contemporary from historical amnesia, exploring episodes in the study, exhibition, and reception of early twentieth-century art and visual culture.

DIVExamines questions of agency, artisanship, and identity in relation to collaborative art practice./div

"Today's artists create work that's challenging, complicated, and often perplexing, and this book offers a guide to understanding-and enjoying- the wide range of works on display in museums and galleries worldwide. Organized alphabetically, the book includes more than two hundred works of art made in the last twenty years by living artists from all over the globe, encompassing photography, installation, sculpture, painting, video art, perfomance, and more. Author Michael Wilson explores the impact of a broad selection of the most prominent artists at work around the world, including Francis Alys, Allora & Calzadilla, Luc Tuymans, and Marina Abramovic." - Excerpt from back cover.

Aimed at professionals and students, this book explains how to make use ofolour in various types of painting. Colour theories are outlined, but theain emphasis of the book is the way contemporary artists such as Jasperohns and Milton Avery, actually use colour.

Unravel the contemporary art scene Whether you love it or loathe it, contemporary art is bound to provoke a reaction. Is it all about shock and sensation? Does it have to be either profound or trivial? Is the contemporary art market over-inflated and ready to burst or is it still soaring? Teach Yourself Contemporary Art delves deep into the contemporary art scene, asking all of these questions and more. It begins by putting contemporary art into context, considering its pre-history and development and moves on to explore the different forms of contemporary art including installation, land and environment art and video, film and digital media. The key personalities, recurrent themes and controversial competitions are all discussed in detail, as is the changing role of museums and galleries and the contemporary art market. Whether you want to hold your own at the snootiest of arty parties or need to study art as part of a course, this book is an objective guide that uncovers all.

"Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media have sources in the works of such radicals as Monet, Kandinsky, and Cornell, who are now part of the official tradition but who continue to catalyze artistic innovation, especially among conceptual and abstract artists"--Provided by publisher.