Contemporary art in the process of professionalization of art-pedagogical and art education

Abstract

The aim of the study is to analyze the expediency/necessity of introducing a theoretical and practical course on informal methods of visual art making– which developed successfully during the 20th and 21st centuries outside the norms of the academic system and are theoretically defined as «contemporary art» – into the system of art-pedagogical education. In accordance with this objective, several research methods were employed, the key ones being the scientific-analytical method – to analyze the positive aspects of integrating this topic into the practical domain of art education – and the empirical method – to provide recommendations for implementing the specified topic into the educational process. The article offers several proposals for realizing this idea, drawing upon current artistic realities and the keen interest in contemporary visual art demonstrated by student youth – the most dynamic segment of the country’s creative potential. A series of fundamental questions shaping the key provisions of the overall scope of the authors’ chosen topic is raised. The paper proposes introducing a set of measures into the education of art majors to study and practically consolidate modern art forms without ignoring, but rather safeguarding, academic professional foundations, thereby establishing a balanced parity between two conceptually distinct, artistically active means of creation. It is demonstrated that realistic forms of representation do not constitute static knowledge, and that modern art education in graphic arts faculties must encompass a broad spectrum of forms and methods of artistic stylistics across all types and genres of visual art.