The concept and essence of contemporary art

Abstract

The study aimed to substantiate the concept of art as a general term referring to various forms of contemporary art, which were positioned in contrast to classical art, to which the term “art” was applied. The methodology involved analytical and comparative methods. The concept of art encompassed forms of visual and audiovisual arts that emerged at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries with the development of multimedia technologies. It had been demonstrated that the critical distinction of contemporary art lay in the deliberate placement of its objects outside spaces explicitly designed for artistic exhibitions, leading to its interaction with the urban environment. Art was characterised by a desire to deny or oppose traditional art forms, which was reflected in many cases by its name – avoiding the distinctly Ukrainian word “мистецтво/mystetstvo” (English: art) and using the word “арт/art” borrowed from English. This period witnessed a fundamental shift in artistic practice, as artists began to move beyond traditional exhibition spaces such as galleries and museums, deliberately placing their works in unconventional or public settings. This integration of art into the urban environment redefined its boundaries, fostering interaction with everyday spaces and challenging established norms of artistic presentation. A defining feature of this new wave of art was its conscious opposition to traditional forms, frequently expressed through its nomenclature. Artists often replace the Ukrainian term “мистецтво/mystetstvo” (English: art) with the English “art”, reflecting a linguistic and conceptual shift away from traditions to engage with global discourses. The term “art” was strongly associated with visual arts, where digital technologies and multimedia experimentation predominate, in contrast to its infrequent use in music, even in digital forms such as electronic compositions. This distinction emphasised a unique connection between language, medium, and identity. By integrating art into public and unconventional spaces, artists had redefined its boundaries, fostering interaction with everyday environments. This evolution illustrated the interplay of technology, space, and culture, transforming contemporary artistic landscapes