Was ist zeitgenössische Kunst oder Wozu Kunstgeschichte?

Never before have modern and contemporary art been as present in the media as they are today: the interrelationship between art, market and museum occupies the attention of feature pages and new media in particular. But who is actually writing modern art history - since when and for what purpose? This essay explores these questions. The author recalls the multifaceted history of ideas, knowledge and institutions in art, as well as the changing conditions of its production, distribution and reception. Traditional notions are called into question, new views of the supposedly familiar are risked. On the basis of concrete case studies and examples of works, a balance of the current state of the art world is achieved. In addition to relevant names such as Gerhard Richter, Marina Abramovic, Damien Hirst and Tino Sehgal, the book deals with many still unknown and younger artists, as the author also intends to show them.