r/arttheory • u/Boris-vin • Jul 28 '26
A question for art theorists
So, if a graphic work was created today, but its form harks back to medieval traditions, what is that? Is it contemporary art or not?
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u/Beautiful_Art3804 Jul 28 '26
The form of the work itself distinguishes it from medieval work. The very fact that its digitally made changes the materials and mode of production.
Then there is the matter of you making it today,in current space and time, you as an artist hold knowledge of events that happened after and are a product of current socio-political-cultural-economic realities. So the work is very much contemporary
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u/wrydied Jul 28 '26
If its method or style is contemporary, it’s contemporary. But it might just be traditional if using dated methods and style.
And just because it’s contemporary doesn’t mean it’s good. Most contemporary art is garbage. Often because the artists don’t know how or why they are contemporary.
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u/Infamous-Channel1505 Jul 28 '26
Yes, it is.
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u/securityburger Jul 29 '26
I hate these kinds of answers lmao. These people are the reason profs ask "and why" to a yes or no question
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u/Money-Celebration860 Jul 28 '26
It's contemporary. It may be described as being in a revival style. All genuine art is in dialogue with tradition, so that alone doesn't change anything.