Art and media have shared a symbiotic relationship since their inception. Over the years, this relationship has evolved and deepened, shaping both industries and influencing societal perceptions, norms, and values. From the earliest manifestations of human creativity etched onto cave walls to the immersive digital landscapes of the present day. This blog will delve deep into the relationship between art and media.
Timeline of Art & Media through centuries
In the earlier times, the invention of the printing press in the 15th century completely revolutionized the art, making it accessible to a wider audience. Print media, such as newspapers, magazines, and posters, became platforms for art, showcasing illustrations, advertisements, and political cartoons. Artistic expression widened during this time, as artists got a platform to express themselves. The art contained individuality and uniqueness as now they could express themselves directly without any medium. Before the 15th century kings or rulers used to dictate to the artist, what type of art was needed and artists had no freedom to express their artistic expression. Photography and art advanced during the Industrial Revolution, which enabled art to be transferred to a wider audience. Hence, leading to mass production and distribution of art. Artists like Andy Warhol embraced mass media imagery, blurring the lines between fine art and commercial design. Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans series exemplifies how media imagery infiltrated the realm of high art, challenging traditional notions of aesthetic value and authenticity. During the 20th century, visual content was revolutionized through television and film. During this era, artists, filmmakers, and advertisers capitalized on the power of moving images to convey narratives, evoke emotions, and shape public opinion. Artists like Salvador Dalí pushed the boundaries of artistic expression. Also, Lichtenstein’s comic strip-inspired paintings, such as Whaam! critique the commodification of visual culture while celebrating its vibrant aesthetics.
Digital Media Influencing Art
In this tech-savvy world, technological advancements have been made in various fields like healthcare, education, space, etc. These advancements have changed the way art is conceived with its pros and cons. As we know, old artists are lagging behind these technological advancements and cannot cope with these new digital marketing channels. Now, artists are selling the arts online, resulting in a steep decline of footprints in the old art galleries.
Moreover, museums are finding it hard to increase their footprints as the art is available easily over the internet or other social platforms. However, Covid has also made people realised the importance of social life and community building. After the lockdown, people started engaging with outdoor activities and travelling, This somehow helped the museums and galleries to come up programs and events which involves social gathering and live events because people still wanted to experience the magic of live performances and creative activities. Also, the rise of digital art forms, such as NFTs (non-fungible tokens), generative art, and AI-assisted art, has challenged traditional notions of ownership, authenticity, and artistic expression. These new art forms have sparked debates about their legitimacy and potential impact on the art market and industry. Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) are transforming the way art is experienced and consumed. Artists and exhibitions are leveraging these technologies to create innovative and interactive art experiences, potentially reshaping the future of art galleries, museums, and art education.
There are 2 sides to every story. Artists have to be more than being only artists. They need to enhance their skillsets in terms of public relations and social media handling. While creating their artwork, they need to record the process in a professional manner and has to come up with story telling skills for it. This also opens up the grid of the resources and tools one is using. Now, Artists and creators have to spend on camera quality, lighting tools, softwares and much more to edit their content including their art materials. Major chunk of their time goes into video editing, trying to findout the right hashtags and music trends. After pouring their heart and soul into it, unfortunately their self worth is shattered by number of likes and views which depletes the motivation factor in them. Now their major competition is not other artists but ‘Algorithm’.
Ignoring the side effects of digital media, I believe digital media has allowed artists to gain recognition and a space to showcase their portfolio and achievements to wider community. It is a medium which has given the power to break the country’s boundaries and distances to reach to other part of the world. It has also given the opportunity to elaborate their expressiveness and experimental activity. While the forms and mediums may have evolved, the fundamental essence of this symbiotic relationship remains unchanged. Art continues to serve as a powerful lens through which we can understand and interpret the zeitgeist of our times, reflecting the cultural, social, and political undercurrents that define our collective experiences. Conversely, in today’s time digital media has become an indispensable canvas for artistic expression, providing new avenues for artists to challenge conventions, spark conversations, and inspire change. The rise of digital art forms, immersive technologies, and online platforms has not only democratized access to art but has also opened up new realms of creative exploration. Thus, this relationship between art and media has evolved over time, shaped by technological advancements and cultural shifts.
