Some say technology kills creativity. However, observing the transformation of the art market, we would risk stating it’s rather the opposite. More and more often, art and technology mingle, creating new possibilities for the artists and audiences. What are the most interesting tendencies that strengthen the marriage of these two fields?
Blockchain art and its new approach to ownership
Blockchain technology creates totally new opportunities to the artists when it comes to the question of ownership. It enables dividing artworks into parts that get sold to different people in the form of NFT tokens. Most commonly, Blockchain art is digital at its core, but there are cases in which the existing artworks get digitilized and tokenized.
For those who don’t know much about Blockchain, the topic of tokens may sound complicated, so let’s take a closer look at it. Why do people even pay for artworks that do not exist physically?
What is the NFT token?
The tokens are usually associated with cryptocurrencies, and it’s pretty accurate. However, contrary to common conviction, token doesn’t equal crypto. Tokens are the carriers of value exchangeable for cryptocurrencies. There are many types of tokens in the Blockchain network, and NFT (non-fungible token) is one of them. It has found its application in the art market due to its unique properties.
Each NFT represents a different, unexchangable value that makes it a perfect medium for the art shares. It’s impossible to copy these tokens which enables creating unique art collections with their use.
The tokenization of art is a relatively new phenomenon. The first transformation of a physical artwork into a token took place in 2018. Since then, Bitcoin art has been stirring things up on the art market. Some consider it the future, and the others – a speculation bubble. Who’s right? It’s hard to say, but there’s one thing we know for sure. Bitcoin art has made the art market less hermetic and much more inclusive.
AI art
For a long time, we’ve been approaching artificial intelligence quite cautiously. However, there is no way to avoid its adaptation in different fields, considering the fact that it makes our everyday
life much easier. But can it make it more beautiful, too?
Well, we’re convinced that it can! Who said that art is a human domain only? Taking a look at the artworks created by AI, you may start doubting it. Even if artificial intelligence’s work is not creative at its core, its effect may be a source of inspiration and a subject to critical analysis.
Similarly to other innovations and inventions that rise ambivalent feelings, the Blockchain was also embraced by artists that search for new ways of expression. Instead of treating it as a potential threat to their position on the art market, they turn the AI into their own tool, exploring its possibilities in artworks. Mauro Martino sculpts using artificial intelligence, Mario Klingemann uses it for animation, and Lauren McCarthy – for performance. These are just some among many artists fascinated with AI.
Virtual museum trips
The pandemic has made us miss the real museums, but it also encouraged many institutions to start offering virtual museum trips. Modern technology allows us to enjoy artworks all over the world without even leaving home. We can wander around New York’s Guggenheim, Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum or London’s British Museum while in our bedroom.
Technological development makes it possible to increase the accessibility of museums, but that’s not all. With virtual reality, we can also make it much more immersive. Using VR tools can completely transform the audience’s perception of the artwork. The artists have been taking advantage of this possibility for years, but now more and more museums are gaining the courage to try VR out as well.
Are you searching for examples for the practical applications of these trends? This software house has been developing solutions that combine art and technology for quite some time already. Among their projects, there is an online platform for learning to play the guitar, an application that allows experiencing the opera from the comfort of your own home, or a tool to manage processes in the film industry. Check them out to understand how technology can make art more accessible.
