The Liberation of Art?

Digital art in web3: Are we witnessing a transformation or a diminution of the essence of art itself?

In the cavernous halls of the 20th-century modern museum, an observer of art might spend hours consumed by the depths of a single painting. The canvas was a repository of emotion, ideas, history, and philosophy. It was an intellectual journey into the artist’s mind, and a mirror to our own consciousness. The dialogue between the observer and the artwork was a moment of shared intimacy.

Today, in the era of digital art and NFTs, we find ourselves amidst a possibly growing de-intellectualization of art. As we transition from physical to digital, from protracted consideration to endless scrolling, a thought-provoking question arises: are we witnessing a transformation or a diminution of the essence of art itself?

The growth of digital art is reshaping our interaction with the art world. The context, texture, and spatial relationship we share with a physical piece are replaced by glowing pixels on a screen. On one hand, this offers the democratization of art, making it widely accessible, breaking down the barriers of elite institutions. On the other hand, the confinement of art to a flat, digital space may take away the profound, intellectual engagement with the art object, that crucial, kinetic element of experiencing art that transcends aesthetics.

It is true that artists are now capable of selling their work directly to collectors in a decentralized manner, which could be seen as a democratizing force. But the economics of the NFT, tied as they are to the whims of speculative markets, could be said to diminish the intellectual weight of the work, reducing it to its simplest form – a digital asset. It becomes less about an artwork's capacity to incite thought, reflection, and criticism, and more about its ability to accumulate financial value and go viral.

Social media, as well, plays a significant role in this de-intellectualization. The digital economy values speed and quantity over depth and contemplation. Artworks are quickly scrolled past, receiving at most a brief moment of admiration, then are promptly replaced by the next visual stimulus. There’s a lack of patience, a lack of slowness that allows us to truly comprehend and connect with art. In this scenario, art designed for quick consumption gains popularity, while the more complex, nuanced works risk becoming unseen.

But maybe just as we learned to read novels differently than poetry, so must we learn to read and understand this part of digital art in its unique language. Artists are experimenting with the new digital frontier, creating work that is native to the digital realm, pushing boundaries, and prompting us to reconsider what we define as 'art'. This transformation calls upon us to develop a new intellectual relationship with the artwork, a different kind of literacy.

This does not mean that we should excuse or accept the pitfalls of our current state of digital art consumption. We must challenge the reduction of art to commodity, resist the temptation of endless scrolling without pause for thought, and insist on maintaining art's essence. It is in this struggle where we can reclaim the depth and breadth of our relationship with art in its digital manifestation.

This leads us to an even more fundamental question: What is the purpose of art and what should it be?

Traditionally, art has been seen as a medium for expressing complex human emotions, for challenging societal norms, and for provoking intellectual and philosophical debates. It served as a mirror to the world, reflecting our realities and presenting alternative perspectives. It was a vessel for meaning, loaded with the artist's intention and awaiting the observer's interpretation.

In the contemporary digital landscape, the purpose of art seems to be transforming mirroring the changing ways of living inside of a more and more digitized world. It is being commoditized, democratized, and simplified for rapid consumption. But should digital art only serve these purposes? Is it now merely a product for a marketplace, or a superficial source of momentary pleasure? Or should it still aspire to something more, something profound?

This, in turn, raises the question of whether art needs labels at all. For centuries, the boundaries of what we consider 'art' have been delineated and redefined by critics, museums, and cultural elites. These labels have often been exclusionary, privileging certain types of work while marginalizing others.

Now, with the rise of digital art, we are in a position to challenge these old labels. Art can be anything and everything. It can be highbrow or lowbrow, intellectual or visceral, complex or simple, physical or digital. It can be a multi-million dollar painting in a gallery, a digital meme sold as an NFT, or a doodle on a napkin. The power to define what constitutes art has been dispersed, arguably for the first time in history, into the hands of the masses.

Therein lies a radical potential and danger. The digital revolution, for all its pitfalls, presents an opportunity to liberate art from its traditional constraints. If we choose to seize this moment, we can make art more accessible and diverse than ever before, freeing it from the exclusivity of the intellectual elite. Art can be for everyone, and about everything. But it also opens the door to wealthy investors to use virality and mass-accepted art as a way to make more money instead of caring for the essence of art.

So, does art need labels? Perhaps not. But imo we still need to feel the responsibility to maintain the balance of complex and fast consumable Art. In this tumultuous transition, it is up to us to ensure that the kernel of profound thought and human connection is not lost in the noise of the digital realm. In my personal taste art does need challenging ideas, depth, meaning, and engagement, regardless of the form it takes or the platform on which it is displayed, but it doesn’t need to be limited to it as our needs and wants as digital personas are changing. 

In our journey through this digital landscape, our collective mission should be to uphold the fundamental essence of art as an avenue for human expression, intellectual challenge, and deep inquiry into our shared humanity, rather than reducing it to a fleeting sensation akin to viral TikTok videos inflated for monetary gain. The cornerstone of realizing this objective lies in restoring or preserving a mindful and deliberate approach to consuming art.

Sincerely,

Your UnknownCollector