View of the exhibition Liz Deschenes: Gallery 7, 2014
The answer is simple: contemporary art is art made today by living artists. As such, it reflects the complex issues that shape our diverse, global, and rapidly changing world. Through their work, many contemporary artists explore personal or cultural identity, offer critiques of social and institutional structures, or even attempt to redefine art itself. In the process, they often raise difficult or thought-provoking questions without providing easy answers. Curiosity, an open mind, and a commitment to dialogue and debate are the best tools with which to approach a work of contemporary art.
Since its founding in 1940, the Walker has been presenting today’s art in all its forms, including visual art, dance, music, theater, moving image, design, architecture, new media, and many hybrid forms. These works often challenge our ideas about what art should look like or how it should behave. During your visit, you might encounter a dance in which the movement is barely perceptible, a sculpture in the form of a living tree, or a painting made from nothing more than fabric and light.
Questioning established forms is something artists have always done, and supporting today’s makers as they experiment with new, multidisciplinary ways of working is central to the Walker’s mission. But we are also committed to offering audiences deep and meaningful access to the ideas that animate those works. Lectures, post-show conversations, informal receptions, and long-term community residencies are just a few of the ways our visitors can gain real-time insight into an artist’s creative process. This kind of direct engagement with the artwork and artists of our own time is only possible at a center for contemporary art.
Whether you are surprised, perplexed, or thrilled by what you see at the Walker, we hope you are inspired to reflect on the issues important to you and your community. Please come back often, and remember: every artwork was once contemporary.
Current Exhibitions
As an art enthusiast deeply entrenched in the contemporary art scene, I can confidently assert that contemporary art is a reflection of the present, encapsulating the multifaceted dynamics of our global society. The article touches upon pivotal aspects intrinsic to contemporary artistry, such as the exploration of personal and cultural identities, the critique of societal structures, and the constant redefinition of artistic boundaries.
The Walker's emphasis on showcasing a diverse spectrum of art forms—visual art, dance, music, theater, moving image, design, architecture, new media, and hybrids—aligns with the expansive nature of contemporary art. This inclusivity allows for the challenging of preconceived notions about art's appearance and behavior. For instance, encountering a barely perceptible dance, a living tree sculpture, or a fabric and light-based painting exemplifies the innovative and unconventional approaches artists employ today.
Artists have historically questioned established norms, and today's creators continue this tradition by venturing into multidisciplinary methods. The Walker's dedication to fostering experimentation while providing audiences with deep insights into artists' concepts through various engagements—lectures, conversations, receptions, and community residencies—reflects a commitment to facilitating a profound understanding of contemporary works.
The essence of contemporary art lies not in providing straightforward answers but in evoking questions, stirring emotions, and sparking conversations. It's an invitation for viewers to engage actively, challenging them to reflect on personal and communal issues in a rapidly evolving world.
In summary, contemporary art transcends conventional boundaries, constantly evolving and challenging perceptions. The Walker's role as a center for contemporary art encapsulates this essence, offering a platform for artists to innovate and audiences to engage deeply with the thought-provoking ideas that define our times.
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