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Lori Kozlowski (http://www.forbes.com/sites/lorikozlowski/) Contributor
I write about entrepreneurs, start-ups and the tech scene in L.A. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
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6/18/2014 @ 12:51PM
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What's Next For Art In The Digital Age: A Conversation To Be Continued Comment Now
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As the Internet, and technology in general, becomes more pervasive and enters into almost every sector of business — from education to the art world, — new markets naturally emerge and new questions get raised about our collective culture. Specifically, fine art and technology — where these two disciplines touch – is a fascinating arena, as it opens up a plethora of ideas about what art is, how we exchange it, who makes money from it, and how we experience it. In Los Angeles, a panel series on art and technology created by Saatchi Art (http://www.saatchiart.com/), the world’s leading online art gallery, started this spring and has continued throughout 2014. Their most recent talk entitled “What’s Next (/companies/next/) For Art In the Digital Age?” (which I moderated) — spurred artists, collectors, casual observers of art to ask several different questions about how we go forward, whether or not art is meant to be experienced in person, and how online outlets have helped artists to have better career paths.
While some believe art can only be experienced in person (in a gallery), others said that online platforms have aided their ability to make a living as working artists (something that has become increasingly harder to do). As Los Angeles has become a less expensive alternative to other global hubs (like New York and London) — an artist community has grown. Alongside it, a burgeoning tech (http://www.forbes.com/technology/) economy has emerged in the last three years. So it’s become natural that we’d communally discuss what these mergers mean, how we can benefit from the disciplines colliding, and how art might be changing all together.
It’s raised questions like: Is it really the same thing to own a piece of original art, as it is to take an Instagram photo of it? Should you view art in person or can you get the same experience from viewing it online? What is the gallery experience like now? Other themes in these talks have included: Art Exposure: Who Sees, Views, And Buys Art? Saatchi Art’s Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson, said, “We are very much at the heart of a very exciting moment where technology is beginning to change the way artists show their work and the way they are discovered by people who love art. We want to continue to be part of this conversation and are excited to hear a range of opinions on this and related topics.” “From the events we have done so far here — and from the event (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-tanenbaum/5-key-lessons-on-theonli_b_5489227.html) I did in New York with Artspace (http://www.artspace.com/), Artsy (https://artsy.net/), and Artsicle (http://www.artsicle.com/) — it seems evident that artists are looking for new ways to show their work and are no longer sitting back and waiting for the ‘gallery moment’ when someone from a gallery finally comes to their studio and agrees to represent them,” she said. “I think artists are open to exploring new paths to showing their work and finding people who might buy it.” “There is a recognition that the art world is intimidating and unwelcoming to many people. The Internet cuts across all this and, in contrast, provides an accessible, transparent, non-intimidating way to discover art.” Technology As An Artist’s Medium Part of the merger of art and tech also involves using technology as a medium. Much as one would use a paintbrush. Los Angeles-based digital artist Sterling Crispin, said “Technology is an extension of humanity, and an embodiment of the human spirit. We are by our very nature, tool users. The world of technology itself has its roots in craftsmanship and art, so I think it makes perfect sense for artists to directly create, confront, and utilize technology.” Page 1
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