Contemporary Art

Art I Like / Have a Bias For

Art I Don't Like / Have a Bias Against

Specific to the Art World

Art that seeks to comment on the state of the art world, or is particularly cerebral in a way that requires knowledge of the art world to understand

Minimalist / Literalist / Specific Objects

Bold Use of Symbols

OfiliVirginMary1996

A bold choice of imagery strengthens the meaning and, when done right, makes the artwork more easily understood by the general public, not just people more knowledgeable about modern art

"When you start relating parts, in the first place, you're assuming you have a vague whole - the rectangle of the canvas - and definite parts, which is all screwed up, because you should have a definite whole and maybe no parts, or very few." - Donald Judd

A very narrow concept of art that is not relateable to or understood by the general public


the simplicity of these works gives them a cold, unwelcoming appearance

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Objects that are not intended to exist a plane of their own, but rather to be experienced within the confines of our world, or in Fried’s words, “it seeks to declare and occupy a position.” It is a movement that exists in rejection of a tradition of experiencing art in isolation from reality, a harsh literalism that demands attention also be paid to the surrounding world.

Justice / Political Commentary

Nirvana-Flesh-No.-6-2013-performance-at-BOZAR-Brussels-BE

I see bold symbols related to "Radical Openness": Being unafraid to have a strong opinion or perspective relates strongly to hooks' idea of political location

I personally think that political art is usually most effective when it also has bold imagery, but that, in general, art is enhanced by the passion, purpose, and impact of political art

in this piece by He Yungchang, the bold imagery is grounded by the strong personal and political intention

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In Isaac Julien's the Attendant, Julien uses a combination of unrelated bold imagery, to signify an improtant meaning while also allowing for many interpretations and nuances of the work.

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Tehching Hsieh's One Year Performances put Hsieh's body under duress in the name of exoressing his experience as an illegal immigrant in America

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Anish Kapoor and Walter de Maria's work in expanded sculpture harnesses some of the more impactful natural imagery