What is contemporary art, and how did art come to be what it is today? How can we understand what a work of art means; and can't just about anything be called art these days? Contemporary Art Decoded takes ten key questions about contemporary art and uses them to what you're looking at, how it works, and why it matters. Steering clear of jargon, this book digs deep into the core ideas and concepts behind the art. It features some work you'll recognise, and some you won't, from some of the most exciting artists working today, such as Olafur Eliasson, Anish Kapoor, Yayoi Kusama and Zanele Muholi. This book is guaranteed to make your next trip to a gallery more rewarding. Chapters include: - What is contemporary art? - Where did it come from? - Where do you draw the line? - Does it matter who makes it? - Does it have to mean something? - Can anything be art? - What about art for art's sake? - Has it all been done before? - Does it have to be so serious? - What's next?

Is it real? What do I remember? How can you tell a story? Can lying be OK? What goes where? Why is it famous? What makes it problematic? Who do you think you are? Stealing or borrowing? Public or private? These ten questions launch a thought-provoking investigation into what is really going on when you look at a photograph. Peeling back the layers of everything from the earliest daguerreotypes to your latest selfie, you will discover where to find meaning in an image, and the ways in which the photographer, our current culture, and you yourself all collaborate in the creation of that meaning.

Introducing readers to the architecture of the art gallery Tate Modern, this book examines the part Tate Modern plays in British and global cultural life. It includes entries on over 120 artists and explanations of key terms in art and museology, and provides an introduction to the business of displaying contemporary art.

Briefly describes the plans to turn the Bankside Power Station into the Tate Gallery of Modern Art.

Celebrating the opening of the new Tate at Bankside, London, this book introduces readers to the building, the collection and the new approach to modern and contemporary art. The gallery presents 20th-century art through four classic themes: the nude, landscape, still life and history painting.

Discover art photography through the 100 greatest ever photos. In the two centuries that photography has been practical, it has created a means of communication , the understanding of which is essential to anyone navigating this very visual world. From Daguerre's early images to the real-life sharing of Instagram, photography has never really been "the truth," though nor is it necessarily dishonest. It is ambiguous, complicated and subjective, fleeting and lasting at the same time. This book will introduce the best examples and show you how you can 'read' every image.

Art Now at Tate Britain provides an important platform for contemporary art, giving vital exposure to artists at an early stage of their career. The wide-ranging programme responds to developments in contemporary practice by British artists, and artists living and working in Britain. Documenting over two years of Art Now projects, this book offers fully-illustrated texts on twenty-seven of the most interesting artists working in Britain today. A round-table discussion between critics, curators and artists contextualises the programme alongside developments within the art world, offering a unique guide to current practice.