Introduction to Contemporary Impressionism

Relevance of the Theme

Contemporary Impressionism, although a contradiction for some, is a robust artistic manifestation that keeps alive the legacy of the classic impressionist movement, providing a contemporary lens to interpret our constantly changing reality. In an era of digital and technological art, the importance of this theme lies in exploring how the techniques and principles of classic impressionism are applied by contemporary artists to communicate new ideas, feelings, and worldviews.

Contextualization

Impressionism emerged as a strong reaction against the academic approach to painting and sculpture in 19th-century France. It was a radical break that transformed perception and visual representation forever. In the High School Arts curriculum, the study of Impressionism is a fundamental milestone in understanding the evolution of Western Art. Taking a step further, Contemporary Impressionism offers an opportunity for students to examine how the impressionist technique of capturing the imprecision of contours has adapted and evolved in the context of the 21st century.

Theoretical Development

• Components

  • Imprecision of contours: A striking feature of impressionism is the imprecision of contours. Instead of precise lines and defined shapes, impressionists use patches, dots, or short brushstrokes to capture the essence of an object. In contemporary impressionism, this technique is used to create an impression of transitoriness and movement, reflecting the acceleration and ephemerality of modern life.

  • Color and Light: Impressionism deeply concerns the relationship between color and light. In contemporary impressionism, artists continue to explore ways to represent how light interacts with different surfaces and atmospheres, often emphasizing the mutability and relativity of color, depending on lighting conditions.

  • Outdoor technique (en plein air): A common practice among impressionists, painting outdoors allows for capturing variations of light and color in the natural environment. Contemporary impressionist artists, despite also working in studios, often adopt this practice to achieve more true and authentic color vibrations.

• Key Terms

  • Impressionism: An artistic movement that originated in France in the late 19th century. Characterized by the use of small visible brushstrokes to emphasize the change of light and color, the movement had a lasting and profound impact on how we perceive and represent the world.

  • Contemporary Impressionism: It is the continuation or renewal of the impressionist movement in the context of the 21st century. It maintains the emphasis on the variable effect of light and color but brings new themes and concerns, reflecting changes in society and culture.

• Examples and Cases

  • Jeremy Mann: A contemporary artist whose work synthesizes elements of impressionism with urban life. His paintings, often composed in a reduced color palette, capture the light and atmosphere of modern cities, with an impressionist sensitivity to the variation of light and color.

  • Joseph Zbukvic: A contemporary painter known for his outdoor landscapes. He uses loose brushstrokes and a natural color palette to capture the atmosphere and light of his subjects, reflecting the influence of impressionism in his work.

  • Casey Baugh: A contemporary painter known for his nebulous figures and urban landscapes. He uses a technique of quick and unfinished brushstrokes, characteristic of impressionism, to communicate the emotions and imprecision of modern life.

Detailed Summary

Relevant Points

• Origin and Influence of Impressionism: Impressionism emerged in France in the 19th century as a revolution against the academic approach to art. Innovative in its way of capturing reality, impressionism influenced all artistic movements that followed.

• Imprecision of Contours: This aspect of impressionism is striking for its break with the traditional clear line and well-defined contours; instead, it uses brushstrokes and colors to suggest the shape and structure of objects. In contemporary impressionism, this imprecision is portrayed to reflect the dynamics and ephemerality of modern life.

• Color and Light: The way impressionist and contemporary artists work with light and color is fundamental to the movement. They explore how light changes the color of objects and how this can be represented on the canvas, evoking diverse sensations.

• Outdoor Technique (en plein air): This technique of painting outdoors is characteristic of impressionists, emphasizing variations of light and color in the natural environment. Contemporary artists also incorporate this practice into their works, either to capture fidelity of natural colors or to explore new ways of representing the world around them.

• Contemporary Impressionism: This movement reinterprets the principles of classic impressionism in the context of the 21st century. Its artists use the techniques and ideas of impressionism to explore modern and contemporary themes, promoting a dialogue between the past and the present.

Conclusions

• Relevance of Contemporary Impressionism: Contemporary impressionism is evidence of the lasting and continuous influence of classic impressionism. It updates impressionist approaches to represent contemporary reality, reflecting the rapid social and cultural changes of our time.

• Transformation of Art and Perception: The impressionist approach to color, light, and contour has transformed the way we see and represent the world. This is evident in both classic and contemporary impressionism, with artists continuing to explore and experiment with these aspects in their works.

• Dialogue between the Past and the Present: Contemporary impressionism maintains a dialogue with the past, respecting and reinterpreting the principles established by classic impressionists. At the same time, it brings to the canvas the contemporary realities and challenges, meeting the need for expression of today's artists.

Exercises

1. Artwork Analysis: Find a work by a contemporary impressionist artist, describe its impressionist characteristics, and discuss how the artist uses these techniques to represent contemporary reality.

2. Comparison of Movements: Compare a work of classic impressionism with one of contemporary impressionism. Discuss the similarities and differences in terms of color, light, and contour.

3. Artistic Creation: Create your own artwork using techniques of contemporary impressionism. Consider how you can use color, light, and the imprecision of contours to represent a contemporary theme or scene.