Contemporary Sculpture and Social Commentary

Although contemporary art refers to art of bothcommunicate to the art admirer on a very basic
the late 20th and early 21st century, it haslevel. This is especially important because many
experienced a resurgence in popularity over thepeople may find fine art to be intimidating or
last few years.  People who are new to the artdifficult to understand. In some situations, this
world are often attracted to this form ofmay be because the piece of art is very personal
sculpture because it tends to speak to theirto the artist and the artist may find it challenging
situations and lifestyles in a way that art doesn'tto express themselves in a manner that is
always do. Many artists specializing ininclusive. In fact, many people feel that art is not
contemporary sculpture are making a statementmeant to be completely understood, and can at
about the current state of our world, and presentthe most only be appreciated from a distance.
a commentary on our priorities of modernHowever, when an artist decides that they will
society. One style of contemporary art that maytake a common object and represent it in
people are widely familiar with is "pop" art asdifferent form than it is usually seen, they are
exemplified by the work of Andy Warhol.making a point of building a relationship with the
One such artist who utilizes art to provide socialobserver. Because the sculpting process allows
commentary is world-renowned sculptor Robinthe piece of art to last indefinitely, the disposable
Antar. She creates works of art out of everydaybecomes for all intents and purposes, permanent.
items such as denim jeans as well as householdThis fact combined with an ordinary, everyday
and food products. By making these dispensableobject chosen as the model for the piece of
items essentially timeless by capturing them in acontemporary sculpture ensure that this type of
form that will last for a very long time, she isart can be appreciated by both the very
demonstrating the importance of the everyday.sophisticated and the admirer who is new to the
This is the key difference with certain forms ofart world.
contemporary sculpture that sets it apart fromNot all forms of art necessarily seek to express
other forms of art. By creating a 3-dimensionalsocial commentary, but in many cases,
object that simulates a common object that couldcontemporary art does fill this void. In particular,
be found in most households, many people arecontemporary sculpture can create an opportunity
now finally able to relate to art in a way that mayto see a common object in a very different
have seemed out of touch in the past.manner that allows you to question your
Although each artist creates art for their ownassumptions and possibly understand the art and
reasons, it could be argued that one of thethe artist in a way that previously seemed
reasons that some artists are attracted to theimpossible.
contemporary style is because they able to