Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey Among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See

Context in the art world encompasses all the social, historical, institutional, and personal factors that influence how artwork is perceived and valued. According to Bosker’s observations, this includes an artist’s educational background, exhibition history, social connections, personal identity, and critical reception. Context functions as a form of cultural capital that can be as important as the physical artwork itself in determining its significance and market value. For instance, whether an object is considered art often depends more on its institutional setting and critical validation than its inherent properties—a fact Bosker illustrates through Marcel Duchamp’s transformation of a urinal into sculpture simply by placing it in a gallery setting. The art world treats context as a concrete asset that can be accumulated and leveraged, making it central to how galleries market artists and how collectors evaluate purchases.

Contemporary art describes artwork created from the 1970s to the present day. Bosker explains that this category encompasses current artistic production and recent works that reflect present-day themes, techniques, and concerns. The term appears frequently as Bosker attempts to understand and appreciate challenging installations, performances, and other contemporary pieces that initially mystify her.