How the art world has changed and what it means to experience art today

Art comes to life from its context, society, and the needs that are intended to be expressed. Discomforts, conditions, and situations are communicated by the artist to convey his vision of the world and make the viewer reflect. Art has always been part of human beings, from the caves to the world made of artificial intelligence. Useful for capturing attention, telling a story, or even causing change, it has always been by our side. Art has always been used to communicate the common vision shared by the people or to radically change the idea.

From the Paleolithic

Since its inception, it has been used to commemorate events: from the Paleolithic era to the coronation of Napoleon. The art may have the goal of making propaganda or creating rebellion, it is a powerful story that stirs strong emotions.

To the Renaissance

If we think back to the Renaissance, we can see a major change in the art world. People had become wealthier and enriched, culturally, socially, and demographically. It was a time of rebirth and investment. Patrons and wealthier institutions gave artists the opportunity to express themselves through commissions. While inspiration was directed towards the more classical arts, such as the Greek, the main artistic works depicted ecclesiastical scenes and were based on stories from the Bible. Respecting the work of the commissioner, artists such as Michelangelo and Caravaggio fully represented the symbolism and features of the time. If we move forward a few centuries, the Freedom that leads the people is the most intense expression of what the French people were experiencing with the revolution. Society and the events that surround us have the need to be told, the culture changes and so does the way of telling it.

Like Van Gogh

The stylistic approaches change and the clients are less and less, artists like Van Gogh live driven by their own passion. In their tragic period, the public and the critics do not appreciate what is done and only private individuals decide to buy the works. The first auctions are born and the art galleries cover and grab the most important paintings. With the rise of modern art, artists create commissioned exhibitions or exhibit in galleries that have requested their work. The evolution of art shifts to a more abstract and minimalist focus, prompting the viewer to reflect on the missing piece of artwork. It will be the viewer who closes the circle. 

New Tech

With the rise of new technologies, works are moving into the digital realm and collectors can buy physical and digital objects online. With the arrival of blockchain and virtual currencies, art objects can be protected and verified. Ownership is no longer something to argue about and collectors have become the mass audience.

NFT are born

The dominance of new technologies and the use of techniques has computers defining our era and art is moving in that direction. The latest trend that will define the evolution is the NFT: nonfungible token. A technology that certifies the work and through virtual auctions, any user can participate. Digital artworks are displayed in exhibitions and galleries and what the public sees in a museum is something increasingly interactive. Digital art has created unique, never-before-seen experiences that take the audience to another plane. Experiencing art today means that anyone can be a part of it; it is no longer a closed circle. In the Renaissance, only the church commissioned works from artists. Today, accessibility allows people to express what they want and tell their stories through multimedia, and anyone can be part of it.