The confusion between the terms “modern art ” and “contemporary art” is understandable. So, don’t let a snooty art snob put you down because you don’t know the difference. Read on and you’ll never have to fear that look of disdain again. (By the way, I’ll be answering, “What is an art snob” in my ongoing series of 251 Art Questions, but you’ll have to wait until #45).

In normal, non-art oriented conversation the two words are often used synonymously. For instance, “she has a modern style” can mean “her style is contemporary”. Now, in the world of art, “modern” and “contemporary” really do have different meanings. 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.

Coming next, art251 Q5/251: How do I recognize great art?

The first of our monthly art251 art seminars is set for later today, November 11. The Heritage Homeowners Association (HOA) in Keller has graciously opened the doors of its clubhouse to your friendly art251 owners for some serious debunking.

This evening’s topic is entitled “Mythbusters — Art Buying 101″, where we’ll be tackling some common myths and misconceptions about art and buying art, such as “Art is expensive”, and “Buying Requires a Vast Knowledge of Art”.

I haven’t done much research to learn whether many other art galleries do this type of community outreach. I suspect a few do and many don’t. So, while we’re not necessarily blazing a new trail, we’re doing our small part to bring art in all its glory to (more of) the suburbs.

Our seminar series spans five presentations, each one hour long. We’re not high on formality, and we do like audience participation. So this should be fun. Oh, and did I mention we bring lots of great art with us and we do it for free! So, if you’re not part of the Heritage HOA, and would like us to venture to your community give us a call at 817.898.1444 or contact us online by clicking here.

This is a complex question. Though, it has a rather simple answer: yes or no or maybe, or even a combination.

As a gallery owner I would be doing you, the customer and the artist, a huge disservice if I said an art purchase will go up in financial value. A purchase may very well go up, or it may go down in financial value. (I’d welcome having a prescient, 6th sense when it comes to predicting the future value of art, stocks, children and so on, so if you know where to find one please call.)

I say financial value because art does have other types of value — some art has instrumental value, and most if not all art has intrinsic and inherent value (I’ll cover these types of value in more detail later). That said, these values are subjective and social, since what’s valuable to me — regardless of the monetary component — may very well not be valuable to you, or alternatively we might negotiate and agree upon an arbitrary value.

My initial reaction to such as question would be to counsel against buying art as a financial investment; it may well turn out to be a tremendous one, but your primary reason for buying art should be because it touches you in some way either emotionally or intellectually.

A piece of art can bring you a lifetime of value, in any number of different, non-monetary ways — pick from my non-exhaustive list below or feel free to add yours:

• it may remind you of a special moment or a certain individual or a memorable place
• it may evoke intense emotions ranging from grief to joy, and these may change from day to day
• it make bring color, warmth, form and texture to your home or office
• it may become an endless and fascinating conversation piece
• it may offer a narrative to which you can connect
• it may be created by someone you respect, admire or follow
• it may transport you to another place and time
• it may open your eyes and heart to a different perspective
• it may cause you to examine your own desires and goals

Now, some of you, quite rightly, may be concerned about the monetary value of an art work. But although I could and would not tell you that an art work will increase in value over time, I can give you some tips that might improve your chances of deriving future financial benefit or mitigating your risk, as follows:

• ensure the artist has a documented track record
• learn about the artist and his or her work in detail
• determine if the artist’s work is privately collected and/or placed in public collections
• familiarize yourself with the secondary or resale market (if there is one) in the artist’s work
• find out if the artist has shown regionally and nationally
• learn if the artist and his or her work has been reviewed or critiqued

These factors will help you put the artist’s career and work in perspective, and learn about the trajectory of the artist’s reputation. When an artist is gaining in stature and importance, and his or her work is gaining in demand, but with limited supply, you can be reasonably sure that the art will go up in retail price, and usually resale value.

Some galleries and art dealers specialize in trading art for investment purposes. art251 is not such a business. We are in the art market because we are truly passionate about art, and we’d like to bring more of it to more people and support artists in the process.

Coming next, art251 Q4/251: What is the difference between modern and contemporary art?

art251, like other good art spaces, welcomes questions of all shapes and sizes. Placing art with our customers means first making customers comfortable with the great idea of buying art. A key ingredient is to give our customers the information that they need, and even some information that they didn’t know they needed.

So, rather than us giving you, our (potential) customer, an endless monologue on an art -related topic, we’d much prefer to engage you in conversation. Ask us questions. We may not be able to answer them all - we’ll certainly try though. Remember, the more you ask the more we’ll be able to learn about your preferences, your motivations, your goals. We’ll both learn something in the process.

Some questions to help you get started:

Can you tell me more about this work?

How was this made?

What do you like about this piece?

What is the style?

Is the artist local?

How well known is the artist?

Do you have more information that I can take away?

How could I best display this in my home?

Can I get on your mailing list?

Coming next, art251 Q3/251: Will my art purchase go up in value?

This is a great question. It’s one of those questions that frequently goes unasked — many art publications and galleries seem to assume that we all know, or should know, the answer to such as “simple” question. Unfortunately, there is no single correct answer, In fact, if you pick up an art history book, trawl around the online art world or ask an art museum curator for an answer you probably will get a dozen or so responses, some broad, some overly narrow. So, here are the most common definitions.

1. Contemporary art refers to any art that is created during our lifetimes.

This is a straightforward and simple definition. However, if you take in to account the age of the world’s oldest living person — and I hope you’re one of my readers — at around 115 years, this would push the beginnings of contemporary art to the 1890s.

2. Contemporary art is any art created by a living artist, or a recently departed one.

Again, a simple and understandable definition. But, again, it’s rather arbitrary because we have no fixed point of reference.

3. Contemporary art is any art produced in the period that began sometime after World War II, around the early 1950s.

Now, we’re getting a little more specific. However, there is general consensus that the general era of modern art ended around the late-1960s (in the United States). The term “post-modern” appeared around 1968 (in the United States) as a rejection and/or extension of the modern art aesthetic — the world had had enough of modern art, time to move on to something else.

4. Contemporary art is a broad collection of emerging movements from roughly 1970 to the present day.

I like this definition. It’s not too broad or arbitrary and it doesn’t pigeon-hole us into a narrow, overly specific categorization. After all, by definition most contemporary art is still being made, and it’s rather difficult and counter-productive to define these movements as they are ongoing. The critical eye of hindsight will no doubt invent all manner of movements and trends and assign them neatly to the era of contemporary art (much like the sub-classifications that we now have for modern art — post-impressionism, expressionism, cubism, dada, pop art, and the list goes on.). I think I can predict some of the contemporary art sub-classifications that future art historians will define for us: the Banksy school, the formaldehyders, the NYC neo-decorative movement, the i-school, me-art, etc, etc.

While a formal definition of contemporary art gets rather squishy when it comes to identifying a particular time period we do have some help from other factors. It is clear that contemporary art has emerged from two recent phenomena: economic globalization and the (new) media explosion. So, while the art being created today is very diverse, we do see that much of it (though not all) does carry a social meaning and may be created and distributed in any number of different media. Above all, it’s a great time to be a lover of art — contemporary art offers something for everyone.

Coming next, art251 Q2/251: What questions should I ask art gallery staff?

One of the great opportunities in the beautiful, yet byzantine, world of art lies in the area of accessibility. Or, making art more accessible to more people. I’ve visited many art galleries, and while I’ve found most gallery staff charming and informative, I’ve usually returned home lacking both art and answers.

A certain air of impenetrability exists in that unspoken space between gallery staff and the customer. I’ve found that some questions, when asked, get answered. But most questions go unasked. Why is this? Sometimes, I’ve felt intimidated - my clothes were not quite appropriate for the venue. Sometimes I’ve felt embarrassed - other customers might hear my “dumb” questions. Sometimes I’ve felt out of place - “no prices listed next to the art, must be out of my price range”. Sometimes I’ve been talked down to - not going back there.

So, this leads me to believe that we need to encourage customers to ASK us (more) questions. All questions, about art, will be welcome, no matter how trivial, no matter how deep. We may not have all the answers, but we’ll work hard to ensure our customers do not leave our space feeling embarrassed or intimidated or out of place or confused. Of course, we’d like all our customers to leave with a piece of art. But if not, we’d like each customer to leave feeling they know a little more about their favorite work or an interesting new artist, and also a little more comfortable with the notion of buying art.

Thus begins a major new series on this blog entitled, “251 things you should know about art before you buy“. (I picked 251 things for obvious reasons). Should we trademark this?