Why does contemporary art look so simple? You asked Google – here’s the answer | Jonathan Jones

Every day millions of internet users ask Google some of life’s most difficult questions, big and small. Our writers answer some of the commonest queries

Why do the lights keep going on and off? How is less more? What place does a balloon dog have in an art gallery? Or, as a lot of people have been asking Google: “Why does contemporary art look so simple?”

I am tempted to answer – because it’s idiotic. But first, we need to define what contemporary art means in this question.

Related: Public art is powerful, glorious and uplifting – it deserves to be saved | Rachel Cooke

Related: Damien Hirst: ‘What have I done? I’ve created a monster’ | Catherine Mayer

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