Archive for the ‘Art’ Category
Can Social Media Democratize The Art World?
September 24, 2009
Art appreciation is perfectly suited for public social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. At least, that’s the philosophy behind the ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is currently offering the largest art prize in the world (a $250,000 grand prize). Amateurs and established artists alike are participating in the “social experiment,” which seeks to wed technology and art -– both through the art itself and through the text message- and Internet-based public voting system. The concept is so timely –- social media, grassroots sourcing and engagement-– that it could easily be described as a gimmick. However, it does add an unusual element; the art must be displayed conspicuously throughout the city. Such an invasion of art in the offline world creates a clear, tangible connection between the online discussions and the visual experiences within the city itself.
What’s of most interest here may not be any individual piece of art. Rather, it’s the unfolding of the competition as a whole. For one, social media’s intrinsically inclusive nature may open up doors for artists that may have gone unnoticed before. Second, it raises questions about what art means to different groups of society. Who controls the meaning of art? Who judges the worthiness of a given artist or piece of art? Should it be a small, scholarly elite or the masses?
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