Generally, Modern art differs from Contemporary art in 3 main ways. First, there is a difference in time period. Second, there is a difference in style. Third, there is a difference in general focus.

 

Most art scholars agree that Modern art began around 1880 with pioneering artists like Manet and Van Gogh. They broke away from the previous constraints of formal realism and headed towards a more subjective representation of modern-life subjects. These artists were primarily focused on finding their unique styles, such as cubism and surrealism, that reflected inner and/or outer worlds, rather than depict life as they visually perceived it or, more often than not, as church and societal authorities demanded. It’s not coincidental that the instigators of Modern art came of age as a then new technology known as “photography” was starting to gain a foothold, usurping the traditional artists’ claim on the depiction of reality. Art historians would also agree that Modern art is more of an inward looking endeavor, where artists were more concerned with exploring purity within a specific medium and comparing its steady evolution through history.

 

Generally, many take Contemporary art to mean any art created by a still living artist. However, most art historians agree on a narrower definition that Contemporary art arrived around 1960, ushering in the post-Modern era with a broad melding of styles and merging of media. Technology also began to make an important impact on the tools used to create and distribute art, and this continues today. Further, Contemporary art has been characterized by its wide use, beyond decoration and narrowness of medium, to include design, conceptual, social, political, graffiti and multi-cultural works. Generally, Contemporary art is more socially conscious than art from any previous period. Just look at works over the last 25 years with artists increasingly reflecting on ideas of war, feminism, genocide, globalization, and bioethics

art251 is expanding eastwards to the Trinity River basin in Dallas!

 

 

 

Our new location is in the gorgeous Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas. Need directions? Click here. The store will be operated by our good friend and partner, T Hanson.

 

The mission of the Audubon Center is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. Audubon’s national network of community-based nature centers, scientific, educational and advocacy programs engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

art251 Trinity River in the Audubon Center will offer a range of age-appropriate gifts, fine art and souvenirs for kids and adults. We will emphasize local, green products in concert with Audubon’s educational strategy, and at an affordable price point. art251 Trinity River will feature roughly 25% fine art and 75% unique gifts. A number of art251’s artists will have their works featured at this new location, including Brian Davis, Sean Fitzgerald, Ashley Akers, Marnie Vollenhals, Katy Fenley and Faith Scott Jessup, and others to come. We’re excited by the opportunity to expose our talented local artists to a broader audience in the Big D.

A couple of artists, also an artist couple, joined us in March. They are T.R. (Ray) Maines and Marie Maines – both passionate about art and the creative process.   Ray Maines is a retired commercial photographer with a B.S. degree in Illustrative Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology. He studied with fine art instructors such as Minor White, Ralph Hattersley and Charles Arnold. After a career in national advertising, editorial and catalog photography, he has now returned to fine art photography.   Ray Maines’ work is both in film and digital formats.   We have a series of his beautiful geometric images of the Medici Chapel ceiling in Florence.             Marie Maines is a retired first grade teacher who has always wanted to be an artist “when she grows up”. She has a B.S. degree from Murray State University at Murray, Kentucky and an M.A. from Indiana University / Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indiana. Marie has been showing at juried art fairs since 1996 and many of her pieces are now in private, corporate, international and museum collections. Marie Maines work consists primarily of landscapes, including natural and man-made forms.   art251 has several of Marie’s series, including Tuscan landscapes and school houses.

Michael Longhofer has shown his "photo-impressionistic" cityscapes of Dallas, New York city and New Orleans in art251 since we opened. We’re now happy to display a new series of his works – crosses. Michael Longhofer’s crosses are colorful acrylic on acrylic paintings in different styles, textures and representations.   Michael earned a B.F.A. from The Laguna College of Art and Design. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

A gentle reminder to sons and daughters of all ages – there’s an important date on the horizon that you should not forget: Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11, 2009.   And, art251 is your resource for that special something for your mom or mum (I’m British). We have unique art gifts below $50 such as glass flowers, ceramic bowls and small canvases; gifts under $250 including copper votives, glass vases, gourd purses; and gifts under $500 including couture jewelry and mid-size original canvases from our talented local artists.

Warm Regards,