What Was Contemporary Art?

by Richard Meyer

Not only does contemporary art have a history, but all works of art were once contemporary to the artist and culture that produced them. Contemporary art in the early twenty-first century is often discussed as if the very idea of art that is contemporary is new. Yet all works of art were once contemporary. In What Was Contemporary Art? Richard Meyer reclaims the contemporary from historical amnesia, and gives the contemporary its own art history. By exploring episodes in the study, exhibition, and reception of early twentieth-century art and visual culture, Meyer retrieves moments in the history of once-current art and redefines “the contemporary” as a condition of being alive to and alongside other moments, artists, and objects. A generous selection of images, many in color—from works of fine art to museum brochures and magazine covers—support and extend Meyer's narrative. These works were contemporary to their own moment. Now, in Meyer's account, they become contemporary to ours as well.

Genres: Art

376 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2013

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is about the teaching and exhibiting of art during the 1920's through the 1940's. It focuses on Alfred Barr's career, starting with a class he taught at Wellesley in the 1920's which was the first college course to include living artists, exhibits he curated at the Museum of Modern Art and the break with its Boston affiliate. (I studied art history at Wellesley so I was thrilled to read the chapter on Barr's class.) I would recommend this book to Wellesley grads and to those interested in modern art.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Was Contemporary Art? (Hardcover)
by Richard Meyer

heard author on Philosophy Talk
https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/...
also a text summary of the show at this url

from the library worldcat computer:
"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. Meyer analyzes an undergraduate course taught by Alfred Barr at Wellesley College in 1927 as a key moment in the introduction of works by living artists into the discipline of art history, then turns to a series of exhibitions from the 1930s that put contemporary art in dialogue with premodern works ranging from prehistoric cave pictures to Italian Renaissance paintings. Meyer also treats the controversy that arose in 1948 over the decision by Boston's Institute of Modern Art to change its name to the Institute of Contemporary Art. By retrieving moments in the history of once-current art, Meyer redefines "the contemporary" as a condition of being alive to and alongside other moments, artists, and objects. A generous selection of images, many in color -- from works of fine art to museum brochures and magazine covers -- support and extend Meyer's narrative. These works were contemporary to their own moment. Now, in Meyer's account, they become contemporary to ours as well."

ordered from the library this date

[Mills College Library]

709.04 M6133 2016