Art

Museums and Galleries Are Embracing Digital Art, Exploring AI

Published

1 year ago

July 20, 2023

“Web3 is expanding art institutions’ reach into audiences it didn’t have access to before,” said Madeleine Pierpont, Web3 Associate for the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). “Digital art is one of the most accessible art forms of any art form that exists because it can live in so many places in our lives.”

The insight was one of many that emerged from a panel discussion at the world’s largest art auction house, Christie’s, in New York. This year’s Art+Tech Summit program included a session titled “AI, Digital Assets and the Future of Museums and Galleries.”

The conversation largely revolved around how Web3, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and AI are impacting the art landscape worldwide.

Digital art isn’t new to MoMA, Pierpont said, pointing to the institution’s involvement in the space since 1960. The more recent emergence of blockchain and NFTs has prompted MoMA to create a multidisciplinary Web3 team.

Lukas Amacher, Managing Director of 1OF1—a collector’s club that specializes in digital art—explained that the zeitgeist is “art in the digital age, rather than digital art.” According to him, NFT’s are the “enabler” that told them “collecting digital objects makes sense now.”

“I think the Web3 world suffers from the same illness that the art world suffers from—they’re both very, very siloed, and both very self referential,” he said. “What we’re trying to do is build a bridge between the two and try to help explain what we see going on in the digital world, because we think that the best art is always a reflection of the human condition through the lens of its era, and we clearly live in a digital time.”

“The decentralized nature of it and the real possibilities that it offers you institutions are vast,” said Anthony Troisi, Director of Finance & Operations for the Miami Institute of Contemporary Art. We’re just scratching the surface on what that looks like.”

The cryptocurrency space, meanwhile, is still in its infancy, Troisi said.

“We recognize that it is very early,” he said, adding that his institute is working with the tech community to “create best practices” and exploring what this new reality means.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has gained a substantial amount of momentum over the past months, was briefly addressed during the session, with Amacher saying it could shift the fundamental focus of visual art.

“I think we’re moving from an age where the image is a final object to an age where the image is a process and there is no more final image—they’re all an interpretation of the previous image, which basically means that, funnily enough, the concept is becoming more important and the aesthetics are not as relevant.”

The moderator, New Museum Deputy Director Isolde Brielmaier, asked about the threat AI might pose to the curatorial process.

“I think AI is a tool—I don’t see much legitimacy in the of threat of AI on artistic production and curation,” Pierpoint said. “We all understand that AI might be a part of our practice, if it has the potential to add more complexity and elevate the starting point of thinking about your art.”

Anthony Troisi was on board with her view, claiming the “human curation aspect is always first and foremost,” although in his view, AI can “facilitate some of the more labor intensive research components of the curation task and possibly draw connections that you wouldn’t otherwise have drawn individually.”

The Art + Tech conference continues through tomorrow.

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Art

Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2024

Harry Miller

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com

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Art

Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

Published

4 weeks ago

August 18, 2024

Harry Miller

The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Art

Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

Published

4 weeks ago

August 15, 2024

Harry Miller

Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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