How is technology influencing change in the art world

Technology has huge transformative potential wherever it is applied – including in the world of art. You don’t have to look far today to see where this is making an impact, from making art more accessible to providing artists with a wider range of tools and mediums when it comes to artistic expression. Technology is influencing change right across the art world and is going to continue to do so for some time.

Technology and art, a natural pairing

Art isn’t something that stands still and progressive movements across the ages have continuously looked for new ways to evolve the forms and materials used in art. As a result, we’ve seen the creation of mixed media and many more modes of artistic expression thanks to the opportunities that are presented by technology. Andy Warhol, for example, is a household name and has been an innovative artistic force – the impact he made was significantly influenced by the fact that he had access to silk screen printing and technology such as cameras. There are always artists looking to break new ground when it comes to the way that art is created and technology is an obvious way to make this happen.

The evolution of technology in art

In the art world today it’s not just about using technology to make art but integrating it into art and design to create multi-disciplinary mixed media art and installations. Digital art itself first appeared in the 1960s when artists such as Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Whitman, and Yvonne Rainer started partnering with engineers and scientists from Bell Laboratories to create art that mixed tech and human creativity. Andy Warhol was a pioneer, for example by creating digital drawings on an Amiga computer but it was really during the 1990s, when the internet started gaining ground, that the true potential for tech and art really started to emerge. Artists such as Chris Milk and Eric Standley are some of the most famous names who have embraced the way that technology can drive change in the art world. Yayoi Kusama has also been another significant innovator, for example when it comes to her ‘infinity mirror rooms,’ which are cube-shaped rooms covered in mirrors with water on the floor and populated with lights.

Driving change across the art world

From Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality to 3D printing and even social media, technology presents many different ways to create, show and view art. Interactive and engaging digital art pieces and projects can be created by anyone today, democratising the art world, and virtual technology means that art can be accessed by anyone, anywhere. Technology is even driving change in the way that art is sold and making it possible to securely auction off digital pieces. Plus, online platforms offer a wealth of opportunities for artists to connect to a new audience.

Technology has been driving change in the art world for decades and today has the potential to influence how we create, enjoy and buy it

Scott Fleary are a leading designer and installer of scenery, set construction, and technical solutions for the creative industry. More information on the various Scott Fleary's services can be found here: https://www.scottfleary.com/services