The modern art movement still continues to raise question and attract attention among both art lovers and general public. Modern art is often criticized as convoluted, pompous, and pretentious for prioritizing the conceptual ideas behind art more than its aesthetics or design. A modern artist can tape a single banana to a wall and sell it for millions of dollars, as Maruizio Catellan did; at the same time, renowned artist Damien Hirt even preserved a dead shark in a glass cage, gave it a complex, philosophical title —The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living —and called it art. Given the prominent shift in what defines art in contemporary society, we should assess the validity of these standards.

What is it about modern art that makes it so appealing? Modern art can be considered to include artwork that is “boundary-less.” The abstract look and unique appeal of modern art are what make it difficult to replicate and thus valuable. Modern artists can easily grab the attention of art gallery visitors because modern art itself is anything but traditional in its approach, making it a widely discussed topic. One of modern art’s strong suits is its uniqueness; it is difficult to imitate or replicate because modern artists create new art pieces that differ dramatically from others. All of these elements are what makes modern art so attractive to its’ audience.

Conceptual art is one of the most radical and controversial subgenres of modern art. Conceptual artists argued in the 1960s that the identity of an artwork is found in the artist's idea rather than its physical manifestation. Traditional “complex” art materials include paint, pencils, charcoal, clay, and plaster and involve techniques such as delicate brush strokes and the use of contrast, whereas contemporary artists commonly use a variety of materials and techniques such as computers, three-dimensional, and living elements, and performance. Yet, because of conceptual art’s refusal to use complex techniques and traditional symbols, the result may appear underwhelming to its audience. Modern artwork showcases how literally anything can become art, making it even more difficult to vouch for the value of these pieces.

Many conceptual artists have claimed to use unconventional themes of humor, thought, space, and time to create their artworks. However, in most cases, it is difficult for artists to convey these ideas, potentially making conceptual art misleading and confusing for its audience. For an artist, conceptual art acts as a safe space for self-expression because there are no limits to creating art around certain themes. However, if an artwork cannot create a bridge the understanding between the artist and the audience, issues can arise.

To overcome the complexity of modern conceptual art, galleries and museums must make greater efforts to assist their visitors. They need to disregard the common misconception that “obscurity is quality,” and instead take the initiative to thoroughly explain the art they deem worthy of displaying in their exhibitions. Thus, the concepts and underlying purposes of the artists should be communicated as clearly as possible to the audience. Because many galleries fail to do this, visitors are often left clueless, widening the gap between the public and contemporary artists.

One of the simplest ways to understand how we view the world is through art. Modern art is no exception, illustrating how our culture and worldview evolve and adapt to changing times. Art has always been a means to express one’s perception of beauty, but because of society’s recent obsession with the “absurd,” art is gradually moving out of reach and losing its original charm. Thus, modern art requires some degree of explanation, which will fundamentally help creators and the audience to see eye-to-eye.