The 50 Most Iconic Artworks of the Past Five Years

Pieces that have defined our culture in the contemporary moment.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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In November 2012 alone, the contemporary art market made $1.068 billion, proving that it won't be crashing anytime soon. Prices and skeptics aside, there has been an overwhelming abundance of work that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. It may be too soon to call work from the past 10 or even 5 years iconic, but we aren't hesitating to do so. From work by RETNA to Maurizio Cattelan, Shepard Fairey, and Takashi Murakami, enjoy The 50 Most Iconic Artworks of the Past Five Years and let us know if you agree.

50. Francis Alys, "Tornado," 2000 - 2010

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49. Tino Sehgal, "This Progress," 2010

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48. Superflex, "Bankrupt Banks" banners at Peter Blum Gallery, 2008

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47. Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher, "Learning to Love You More," 2002 - 2009

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46. Glenn Ligon, "Ruckenfigur," 2009

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45. Christopher Wool and Richard Hell, "PSYCHOPTS," 2008

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44. Jaume Plensa, "Dream," 2009

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43. Mike Kelley, "Mobile Homestead," 2011

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42. El Anatsui, "Many Moons," 2009

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41. Meleko Mokgosi, "Pax Kaffraria: Sikhuselo Sembumbulu," 2012

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40. Taryn Simon, "Contraband," 2009

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39. Iwan Baan "The City and the Storm," 2012

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38. Swoon, "Swimming Cities of the Switchback Sea," 2008

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37. Tom Sachs, "Space Project: Mars," 2012

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36. Olafur Eliasson, "New York City Waterfalls," 2008

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35. Jonah Freeman & Justin Lowe, "Black Acid Co-op," 2009

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34. Shirin Neshat, "Women Without Men," 2010

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33. Portraits of Hope, the Taxi and Limousine Commission and the Design Trust for Public Space, "Garden in Transit," New York City, 2007

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32. William Powhida, "How the New Museum Committed Suicide with Banality," 2009

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31. Jon Rafman, "9 Eyes of Google Street View," 2009

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30. Retna, "Houston Bowery Mural," 2012

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29. Maurizio Cattelan, "All," 2011

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28. Wade Guyton "Untitled," 2008

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27. Damien Hirst, "The Complete Spot Paintings 1986 - 2011," 2011

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26. Michael Heizer, "Levitated Mass," 1969 - 2012

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25. Patrick Martinez "Less Drake More Tupac"

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24. Ryan McGinley, "Ann (Slingshot)," 2007

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23. Catherine Opie, "Football Landscape #1," 2007

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22. Cory Arcangel, "Photoshop CS" series, 2008-present

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21. Marc Quinn, "Siren," 2008

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20. Maurizio Cattelan, "L.O.V.E.," 2010

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19. Francesco Vezzoli, "24-hour Museum," 2012

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18. Chris Burden, "Urban Light," 2008

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17. Ai Weiwei "Grass Mud Horse Style," 2012

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16. David Hockney, "iPhone Drawing," 2009

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15. Takashi Murakami, Installation at Chateau de Versailles, 2010

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14. Dan Colen & Dash Snow, "Nest," 2007

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13. Christian Marclay, "The Clock," 2010

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12. Pussy Riot, Punk Rock Prayer, 2012

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11. Ryan Trecartin, "Any Ever," 2009 - 2010

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10. Rob Pruitt, "The Andy Monument," 2011

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9. Gilbert & George, "London Pictures," 2011

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8. Damien Hirst, "For the Love of God," 2007

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7. The Phantom Street Artist a.k.a. Joey Krebs, Leo Limon, Todd Moyer & others, Protest Performance at MOCA Geffen Contemporary, 2011

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6. Barbara Kruger, "Untitled (Human History)," 2012

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5. Cecilia Gimenez, Restored version of Elias Garcia Martinez's "Ecce Homo," 2012

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4. JR, "Women Are Heroes," 2008-2009

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3. Shepard Fairey, "HOPE," 2008

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2. Ai Weiwei, "Sunflower Seeds," 2010

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1. Marina Abramovic, "The Artist Is Present," 2010

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