Contemporary artworks are known to push the boundaries of what art is and can be. Let’s look at some pieces that changed how we look at art and transformed the definition of art itself.
Made by Maurizio Cattelan, this is a banana duct-taped to a wall, which is ‘a reflection on what we value’. Its temporary nature raises many questions about the art world—while to some, Comedian means nothing, to others it means everything.
An artwork by Sun Yuan & Peng Yu, this is a robotic arm that attempts to clean leaking liquid, its programmed task, over and over without breaking free ever. It is a symbol of human struggles and failed attempts at finding meaning in life.
Image: Wikipedia/Aleksandr Zykov
This is a shredded canvas of Girl with Balloon, made by Banksy, bringing focus to art's fleeting value. According to Sotheby’s, it is the first artwork in history to have been created live during an auction. It immediately destroyed itself after it was sold at auction.
Created by Olafur Eliasson and Minik Rosing, this is a temporary installation that highlights the urgency of addressing climate change. It features melting ice blocks, asking viewers to face the fragility of nature and environmental concerns.
This artwork is an immersive room filled with plastic waste constructed by Tan Zi Xi, symbolising ocean pollution. It brings attention to the environmental impact of human consumption.
Image: Singapore Art Museum
This nine-screen video installation made by Ragnar Kjartansson depicts musicians in separate rooms but still playing harmoniously. It represents isolation, connection and the emotional turbulence of collective experiences.
Image: Google Arts & Culture
This digital collage of 5,000 artworks by Beeple is the first digital art to be sold as an NFT at an auction. It is a collection of artworks made between May 1, 2007, and January 7, 2021, depicting a wide range of themes.
Another artwork by Maurizio Cattelan, America, is a functional solid gold toilet displayed in public restrooms, symbolising wealth inequality and consumerism. By inviting visitors to use it, this piece mocks the privilege and excess of American society.
Image: Wikipedia
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